NSW Fair Trading is advising consumers to take action against poor building work, in light of recent events.
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Muswellbrook man Peter Weiss ventured to the area for a higher quality of life.
But, as it turns out, his health has declined since arriving, due to a construction disagreement.
Originally from Sydney, he moved to the town in 2016, along with carer Vivienne Crouch.
With one leg, and a troubled kidney, the normally trusting man did not need another fight on his hands.
However, that is what he got, thanks to an unscrupulous conman.
In June last year, Mr Weiss spent his life savings building a house in Muswellbrook, where he hoped to settle.
He then set out to build a carport on site to help with summer heat.
After asking around, friends pointed him in the direction of a local service.
Recalling his first meeting with the businessman, Mr Weiss said he should have seen the signs – the tradesman asked for a tape measure and did not have an invoice book.
Regardless, he continued with the business.
The handyman returned with a quote for $1665 to install the shed, adding he needed money upfront.
Following this, the wrong shed was ordered from Muswellbrook Steel Supplies (MSS), but never paid for.
Mr Weiss and Ms Crouch praised MSS for their cooperation throughout the process.
They have now ordered the correct shed but it cannot be delivered until MSS has been paid.
Mr Weiss said he scrimped and saved on his pensioner wage to afford the addition, and now has no money, and no carport.
Since receiving the money, the tradesman has been hard to reach.
His clients tried to call, and meet in person, but were ignored.
When confronted by friends of Mr Weiss, the builder said he had paid the money and installed the shed.
But the property’s vacant space proves otherwise.
“He never contacted us once he got the money – we had to chase him all the time,” Ms Crouch said.
After digging a few holes and asking for money, he was gone.
“If he was a big enough man, he would come to me and say, ‘Pete, I’ve done the wrong thing, here’s your money back’,” Mr Weiss said.
“He would have his reputation back and nothing lost.”
Ms Crouch said she was in disbelief because, at the time, Mr Weiss wasn’t the only disabled person at the house.
“I was caring for another gentleman who was disabled,” she said.
“He came out of hospital with Pete, and [the businessman] knew they were both disabled.
“Would you think to do what he did to two disabled people?”
The disappointed pair are hoping to have the money restored and carport installed, and are warning others to be smart when hiring people.
A NSW Fair Trading spokesperson said a check of the Fair Trading register returned no current licence under name of the handyman Mr Weiss paid.
“A contractor licence is required to carry out any residential building work where the total cost of labour and materials is more than $5000,” the spokesperson said.
“[However] it is an offence to accept payment for work without intention to carry out the work, regardless of the amount charged.”
It is only through official public complaints that Fair Trading can take action in relevant cases.
Any consumers with concerns about building or trade work that has not been carried out properly should contact Fair Trading to lodge a complaint at www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au or by calling 133 220.