Two traders have recently received penalties of up to $8000 in the Parramatta Local Court for conducting work they were not licensed or suitably qualified to do.
On June 12 Roselands trader Xiaoke (aka David) Li, trading as Solar Island Energy Pty Ltd (now deregistered) and also Rosh Home Technology Pty Ltd was ordered to pay $8406 in fines and professional costs for contracting and co-ordinating unlicensed specialist work.
The court heard Mr Li, through the two companies, had allegedly made representations he could supply and install solar panel systems for hot water and electricity.
For a period of almost two years from December 2012 to June 2014, the trader allegedly procured solar installation work from customers in the Roselands and Mt Pritchard areas either carrying out the unlicensed work himself or co-ordinating third-party installers to do it.
Also in June, Bligh Park trader Neil Charles Mitchell, trading as Great Australian Kitchens and Joinery, was ordered to pay $2411 in fines and professional costs for contracting and conducting work without an appropriate licence, demanding and receiving payment before residential work commenced and falsely representing that he held a contractor licence.
Mr Mitchell has not held a licence since 25 July 2013. In January 2014 he applied for a new licence. Mr Mitchell’s application was refused because he had failed to satisfy a NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal order for an unrelated issue.
Despite being unlicensed, Mr Mitchell contracted to supply and install a new kitchen and TV cabinet for a Niagara Park customer, with the total job valued at more than $17,000.
Mr Mitchell demanded and received an initial deposit of $5,500 for the works, exceeding the legally applicable limit which is ten percent of the overall contract price.
NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe reminded consumers to check that traders are appropriately qualified and licenced, before agreeing to work or making any payments.
“For many people the family home is our largest investment, so it is important you do your homework before you commit to residential building work,” Mr Stowe said.
“Reputable traders should be able to provide new customers with referees and contact details of previous clients so they can check on the trader’s past performance.”
For more information or to check a trader’s licence is valid visit the NSW Fair Trading website, www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.