Bear Machinery Hire

I engaged Concreting QLD (now trading as HSL Concreting) QBCC#1313957 to concrete a large patio area the back of my property. Sam initially came across as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual and provided a quote promptly. I agreed with the quote and provided a deposit.

Below are the same of the issues and defects that were experienced by me;

• Incomplete concrete pour on the day.

• Extensive amount of concrete splatter on property surroundings (external walls, windows, retaining wall …)

• Section of concrete falling towards house

• Poor finishing of concrete and edges.

• Damage to property

• Uneven depth in concrete cuts

After a month of attempt to get Sam to come back onsite to fix the issues I had to contact QBCC for assistance.

QBCC issued Sam a "Infringement Notice" of $1,178.00 and 4 "DEMERIT POINTS" for failure to pay appropriate insurance premium for residential construction work when required. This can found when conducting a license search on QBCC website.

After multiple visits by Sam and his father over 15months, most of the issues were addressed. A " DIRECTIONS TO RECTIFY DEFECTIVE WORK OR REMEDY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGE" was also issued by QBCC to Sam.

During the process to correct the defects, I ensured no one was home or I was home. I did have concerns for my family's safety as well as my own given Sam's previous behavior when I raised concerns about the defects to QBCC.

As some damages could not be remedied, a monetary settlement needed to be agreed. As the amount for monetary payment from Sam to myself could not be agreed, I had to take the dispute to QCAT.

At QCAT mediation an agreement was reached. Half of what I would have liked but 4 times what Sam had offered.

Since then Sam has paid half of the agreed amount with a lot of prompting/reminding and then stopped. I have gone back to QCAT for Direction.



Learnings from this experience:

Always have a QBCC contract if the amount is $3300

Never pay more than 10% deposit

Never pay any further money until the job is 100% complete to your satisfaction.

Always communicate by email (no verbal agreements or changes)

If defects arise, ensure you have dates that they need to be rectified.