Gran Designs has been fined for issues at a home built in Perth's hills, months after the death of a worker on another project led to a $175,000 penalty.
The business – which is no longer trading – and its former director, David Mario Polak, were ordered to pay nearly $7,000 in fines and costs in the Perth Magistrates Court last week, according to a press release by the Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety.
It followed an investigation into the company’s work on a modular home in Stonewall.
The court was told that, in 2018, the homeowner lodged a complaint with DMIRS's Building and Energy division about defects and project delays.
The building commissioner at the time had ordered Gran Designs to pay $6,022 towards the owner’s rent, as well as rectify issues with sub-floor framing and window intrusions.
Gran Designs transferred the funds but didn’t remediate issues with the home, the court was told.
The fines were handed down by Magistrate Michelle Harries, who noted the company’s partial compliance with the commissioner’s orders.
Gran Designs and Mr Polak made an early guilty plea in relation to the charges.
Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said it was unacceptable for builders to disregard their obligations.
“Failure to comply with a building commissioner’s order is not only illegal, it can also leave home owners feeling uncomfortable or even unsafe at their own properties if building issues are not rectified,” he said.
“The building complaint resolution process is an important mechanism to ensure parties get a fair go.
“It is imperative that building service providers who do not follow through with their responsibilities face penalties.”
Gran Designs was a registered building contractor based in Hammond Park, which specialised in prefabricated modular homes.
Earlier this year, the company was fined $175,000 for failing to provide and maintain a safe workplace after a 19-year-old contract worker died in the state’s South West.
