news, local-news, Amanda Bogacz, GJ Gardner Homes Hunter Valley, Jim Shaw, builder, liquidation, homeowner, defective

A Hunter family has been left with a $60,000 defect bill on their new home after the ­construction company they enlisted shutdown mid-contract. The GJ Gardner Homes Hunter Valley ­franchise, run by managing director Jim Shaw, has been placed into administration and its ­franchise agreement terminated. While a liquidator attempts to regain costs for consumers and contractors left out-of-­pocket, homeowners such as Amanda Bogacz have been left devastated. Ms Bogacz and her husband were excited to get the keys to their new GJ Gardner home in Elderslie and start a new life for their young family. But instead of their dream home, they got an incomplete house with a list of 59 defects, which remain unfixed. “We were so excited to get up there and have a nice house and not have to do anything to it,” Ms Bogacz said. “We went through a company with a good name. “We got the keys and then we started to notice problems around the house.” The couple were in the middle of their 13-week defect period when things started to go wrong. “There were basic design requests not ­followed, such as rounded corners on the bench tops,” she said. “The brickwork mortar was blown out in some strong winds we had and needed to be replaced. “Both of the bathrooms’ tiles are not level so they have to be ripped up. “Then there are the bigger problems. We don’t have any certification for the electricity, plumbing or gas and our exhaust fans throughout the house aren’t ventilated to anywhere. “The list is very long.” At first trades people sent to carry out the repairs, but before long no builders were turning up to the site and no one was answering the company’s business phone. Ms Bogacz obtained cost estimates for the repairs and labour expenses, and the bill will hit about $60,000. The family escalated their complaint against the GJ Gardener Hunter Valley franchise to Fair Trading. Mr Shaw was ordered to complete the work by October 13, but again nothing was done. The family now has to make a claim through home building insurance. “I really hope the insurance comes through,” she said. “I hope no one else has to deal with his business.” The Mercury reported in November that the business had shutdown, leaving at least two clients halfway through ­construction of their homes. The Hunter Valley ­business, run by Shaw Constructions, was placed into administration on November 27. The Mercury attempted several times to seek ­comment from Mr Shaw, but was unsuccessful. Any affected consumers and contractors should ­register with the liquidator at kevin.klein@svp.com. au. Consumers with existing contracts should also contact their Home Building Compensation Fund insurer listed on the certificate of insurance attached to their contract of works.

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