An Albany-based building supervisor has been fined $12,500 for failing to adequately manage and supervise the construction of a new home, which was eventually demolished.

The State Administrative Tribunal’s (SAT) orders against Asher Daniel Arthur Schlager (BP101285) followed mediation about disciplinary allegations by Building and Energy.

According to the agreed facts, Schlager Building Services (BC101032, cancelled) was contracted in 2018 to build the single-storey home in Kronkup, located between Albany and Denmark. Mr Schlager was the director and nominated supervisor of the company, which entered external administration in 2021.

Following SAT mediation, Mr Schlager accepted he had not properly managed and supervised the project because the building work deviated from approved plans and specifications in key areas.

According to the agreed facts, the site’s soil classification did not match the engineering details, a subsoil drain was incorrectly installed and the concrete slab had structural issues including unacceptable surface cracks.

The owners eventually decided the house “could not economically be brought into compliance with applicable building standards and approved plans” and decided to have it demolished, the facts stated.

Building and Energy Acting Executive Director Nabil Yazdani said the matter clearly showed why inadequate management and supervision is a disciplinary matter under WA’s builder registration laws.

“A nominated supervisor’s responsibilities must be carried out actively and diligently to ensure building compliance and safety,” Mr Yazdani said.

“Although the homeowners in this case were able to access home indemnity insurance after the building contractor’s insolvency, they obviously faced significant financial and emotional impacts from this project and the eventual demolition of their home.”

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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au