A Kingsgrove builder caught operating without a contractor licence or home warranty insurance has been ordered to pay $12,785 fines and costs.

Konstandinos Kougias pleaded guilty in Parramatta Local Court to charges of carrying out residential building work without a licence, carrying out residential building work without a certificate of insurance, demanding or receiving payment before residential building work had commenced and accepting payment for goods or services he did not supply in time.

The offences took place at properties in Turella, Cremorne, Newtown and Gladesville in greater Sydney.

Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said Mr Kougias has never held a contractor’s licence.

“The Home Building Act 1989 requires a builder to be licensed and they must hold a contractor licence for all work they carry out over the value of $1000,” Mr Stowe said.

“It is also mandatory for builders to provide their customers with a certificate of home warranty insurance when the work is in excess of $20,000, which Mr Kougias failed to do.

This placed his customers at considerable potential risk, should any defects require rectification in the future.”

The court heard Mr Kougias responded to four consumers who advertised on various websites seeking quotes from tradespeople to have residential building work done.

Mr Kougias dealt with all four consumers personally and issued them with invoices using a variety of business names.

The work carried out ranged in price from $15,630 to almost $50,000 and in all four cases deposits well in excess of the maximum amount permissible were requested by and paid to Mr Kougias.

The maximum deposit permitted for work with a contract price under $20,000 is 10 per cent, and above $20,000, the limit is five per cent. The court heard Mr Kougias charged deposits of between 30 and 45 per cent.

“Always check your tradesperson is appropriately licensed to carry out building work before signing any contract,” Mr Stowe said.

Call Fair Trading on 13 32 20 to check a license or you can do a license check online www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.”