Western Australia’s Building Services Board has fined a former registered builder $2,000 for two counts of misleading conduct and twice failing to comply with an order of the Building Commissioner.

Former Guilderton registered builder Kimberley John Houlahan (BP and BC10019) was fined in relation to four breaches of the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 for building work he had performed at a number of residential properties, namely:

• In 2009 Mr Houlahan misled the Shire of Gingin stating he was the builder named on a building licence for a $55,000 shed located in Karakin when he knew that was not the case;
• In 2013 Mr Houlahan failed to comply with a Building Remedy Order to fix 29 defective items at a property located in Karakin, including plumbing, plastering, painting, carpentry and tiling issues;
• In 2014 Mr Houlahan  failed to comply with a Building Remedy Order to pay $16,719 to the owners of a Gabbadah property in relation to faulty tiling work; and
• In 2014 ­ Mr Houlahan again misled the Shire of Gingin when he submitted a Notice of Completion stating he was the builder for the duration of construction at a Gingin property knowing the contract had been terminated prior to completing the works and that the owner finished the work themselves.           

 “Mr Houlahan’s behaviour shows a pattern of non-compliance with WA’s building legislation, which is not acceptable,” Building and Energy Acting Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said.

“The fine would have been higher but Mr Houlahan is no longer operating as a registered builder.”

For information on builders’ responsibilities head to the Building and Energy website www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/building-and-energy or call 1300 489 099 for more information.

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Media contact: Alina Cavanagh – 0423 846 397 (media queries only) or CPmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au

Notes: Building and Energy (a division within the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety) was formed in January 2018 by the amalgamation of the Building Commission and EnergySafety.