Building and Plumbing Commission

The BPC has fined registered builder Peter McBride and his company THEBUILDCO.COM.AU Pty Ltd a combined $100,000 over the construction of a new house and garage in Kyneton.

McBride, nominee director of THEBUILDCO.COM.AU, which is now in liquidation, was responsible for a litany of defective, non-compliant and incomplete works including:

• non-compliant paving
• an uneven slab
• unauthorised structural alterations
• multiple plumbing defects.

The company failed to rectify the defects, refused the architect reasonable site access and did not comply with a Direction to Fix – even after it was upheld by the Building Appeals Board.

The BPC has banned McBride from acting as a nominee director for 2 years and ordered him to complete 2 training units. His registration has lapsed so he currently cannot undertake registered building work.

--
Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.

The BPC has disqualified Bendigo plumber Anthony Culkin, of Planet Power, for the statutory maximum 3 years over unlicensed and defective plumbing work across multiple sites in central Victoria.

He has also been fined more than $4000 including costs and ordered to complete a training course before he can reapply for accreditation.

Although Culkin was registered or licensed in some plumbing classes, he was not licensed in the appropriate classes when he installed appliances such as ducted air-conditioners, heat pumps and gas boilers.

He also issued fraudulent compliance certificates for the work, some of which was defective. There were 37 non-compliances found across 7 sites, including a leaking gas heater.

Only a licensed plumber can issue a compliance certificate, and they must be licensed in each appropriate class for the work undertaken. Registered plumbers must be supervised by a licensed plumber.

Most of the homeowners hired Culkin using digital job-sharing platforms such as hipages and Gumtree.

Read the full story: go.vic.gov.au/3PnRnlO

--
Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.

BPC inspectors were out in force across regional Victoria in a recent inspection blitz.

The team uncovered non-compliant building or plumbing work at nearly half the sites they inspected.

The blitz covered sites under construction in more than a dozen towns and cities from Gippsland to the Otways and the Mallee.

Here’s the numbers:

🔎 188 sites inspected

🔎 50 building non-compliances

🔎 41 plumbing non-compliances

Six high risk issues were identified and have now been rectified or are in the process of being rectified.

Practitioners face enforcement action if they fail to provide evidence that non-compliances have been addressed.

Our inspectors are gearing up for another blitz in June that may be coming to a town or suburb near you.

In response to the increased popularity of heat pump hot water heaters, the BPC has launched a new plumbing class for Victoria:

· Refrigerated Air-Conditioning – restricted to split system heat pump water heaters

To be eligible to apply for a registration or licence in the new class, plumbers must already hold BPC accreditation in one of the following classes:

· Mechanical Services

· Mechanical Services – restricted to single head split systems

· Refrigerated Air-Conditioning – restricted to basic systems

For more information and to apply, visit our website: go.vic.gov.au/495n6Pd

Congratulations to Apprentice of the Year Hannah Dillimore and all other nominees and winners at this year’s Master Builders Association of Victoria State Apprentice of the Year Awards! 🏆 👏

BPC Head of Building Paul Bailey presented the Future Builder Award to third-year Carpentry apprentice Daniel Helmi.

The BPC is a proud sponsor of this event recognising emerging talents who will shape the future of our industry.

Thank you to the organisers, judges and participants for contributing to a successful night.

Building or renovating and things go wrong? Home Warranty has you covered.

From 1 July, builders must purchase this insurance from the BPC on behalf of Victorian homeowners. Home Warranty is mandatory for all domestic building projects that are:

• up to 3 storeys, and
• valued at more than $20,000.

The new scheme replaces Domestic Building Insurance (DBI). DBI only covers homeowners for incomplete, defective or non-compliant building work if a builder dies, disappears or goes insolvent.

Under Home Warranty, homeowners will be covered up to $400,000 if a builder is either unable or unwilling to complete or fix the work.

DBI policies taken out before 1 July will remain valid for the life of the policy.

More information: go.vic.gov.au/4dHQxte

The BPC has fined Energent Pty Ltd $10,000 over defective building work which caused water damage to a home in Springvale.

A BPC building assessor found the waterproofing membrane in the home’s main upstairs shower had not been installed correctly, causing the shower to leak.

The leak caused damage to other rooms in the home, including swelling architraves and plastering, carpet stains and mould growth.

The company is appealing the fine to VCAT.

--
Disclaimer: Other individuals or businesses may have similar names to those subject to disciplinary or legal action. You can check a practitioner’s licence, registration or disciplinary and prosecution history at bpc.vic.gov.au/check.