Dodgy landscaper.. what can I do?

Discussion in 'Landscaping' started by Katie01, 10th Apr, 2020.

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  1. Katie01

    Katie01 New Member

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    Kicking myself on how naive I was handing over a deposit to a landscaper.
    He provided a quote to do 6k of work on my garden. I agreed to it and he asked for 50% deposit to pay for materials in advance to starting. Completion Timeline has blown out by 1 month (job was meant to take 5 days). So far only 10 hours of labour work has been done. Landscaper admitted that he doesn’t have enough funds to send contractors to complete the work on my garden right now. And that my deposit has been spent on other clients jobs.
    Doesn’t look like he has a licence under QBCC.

    Do I have to resign to the fact that I have lost my deposit? Or is there any course of action I can take?

    Help (am kicking myself right now).
     
  2. Terry_w

    Terry_w Lawyer, Tax Adviser and Mortgage broker in Sydney Business Member

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    Can't he just complete it himself?
     
  3. datto

    datto Well-Known Member

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    Off to Fair Trading (or your state's equivalent) you go.

    He's probably done it to many others. I'll wait for the 4 corners program.
     
  4. KingBendtner

    KingBendtner Well-Known Member

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    Did you sign any form of scope of works/documentation?
    And also deposit receipt?
     
  5. Katie01

    Katie01 New Member

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    He doesn’t have the skill set to do it!
     
    Sook likes this.
  6. Katie01

    Katie01 New Member

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    I have a description of works which is in an email and an official invoice that states 50% total required for material costs as per the agreed description of works in email.
     
  7. gerege

    gerege Well-Known Member

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    Lost your cash sorry
     
  8. Big Daddy

    Big Daddy Well-Known Member

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    Atleast post the business name and his personal name so others dont get burnt
     
    Property Baron likes this.
  9. bunkai

    bunkai Well-Known Member

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    You need to work out how the contractor can deliver value to you - in whatever form they can.
     
    wylie likes this.
  10. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    Talk to your local office of fair trading/consumer affairs or whatever it’s called in your state for options.

    Is there any chance he will be able to do the work once he’s paid by those other clients (if his account is true?)
     
  11. snoopy

    snoopy Well-Known Member

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    Lodge a complaint with the Dept of Fairtrading or your state equivalent ASAP - this doesn’t result in anything much happening as the process for these types of complaints are long and cumbersome.

    the fact you have lodged a complaint will make the Landscaper realise there is a risk for them and they could prioritise your job

    and as others have suggested try and get some value out of them - progress manual labour related work that can be done.
     
    Tufan Chakir likes this.
  12. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    If he is paying off previous jobs, it's likely that he is trading insolvent and could be bankrupt.

    So no chance the work will be done or money returned.
     
    Tufan Chakir likes this.
  13. Sook

    Sook New Member

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    As I always say to my customers if a price is too good to be true, it is.
    Landscaper for 10 years and sick and tired of these cowboys destroying our reputation.
     
    14022, Tufan Chakir and Terry_w like this.
  14. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    Fair Trading. 50% deposit isnt compliant.
     
    14022 likes this.
  15. fl360

    fl360 Well-Known Member

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    that's why unless I know the guy I will use HIpages, at least they are verified by HIpages and recommendations seems real....
     
    AndyPandy likes this.
  16. Archaon

    Archaon Well-Known Member

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    Ask to get materials to the value delivered?
     
  17. TMNT

    TMNT Well-Known Member

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    I just hate how the current legal system is where you virtually have no real recourse of getting your money back
     
    AndyPandy likes this.
  18. Archaon

    Archaon Well-Known Member

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    We need a small claims court, but our court system s overwhelmed as it is
     
  19. Property Baron

    Property Baron Well-Known Member

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    I find this hard to swallow that this guy can get away with this. Have heard similar tradie rip off storys before.
    Imagine your accountant was cought stealing your money, would they just get away with it, I doubt it?
     
  20. 14022

    14022 Member

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    HIPages still don't guarantee anything. There are still unqualified and uninsured operators here too.
     
    Elives likes this.