A Maylands couple building their forever home says the system is stacked against them in favour of builders, leaving them in financial and emotional limbo after being let down by the industry watchdog.
Rob Martin has some important decisions to make. Whatever he decides, it’s likely to cost him tens of thousands of dollars and won’t get his house built any quicker.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Maylands couple trapped in building nightmare
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“The laws have got holes in them and we’re actually in that hole,” he tells 7NEWS.
Last month 7NEWS reported how Martin and his wife Pina signed up with Sovereign Building Company, directed by David Savietto, in 2023. Completion of their home is long overdue and the house is riddled with defects
“It’s turned into a nightmare,” the couple said of their dream home.
Sovereign was ordered by the watchdog Building and Energy to fix more than 50 defects. A report released on Monday confirmed they had ignored 40 of them.
The Maylands home still has 40 defects. Credit: 7NEWS
When asked if all the major stuff was not attended to, Martin responded: “No, because it’s too hard or too expensive or just beyond this builder’s capabilities it seems.”
Martin says the system is weighted in favour of builders and it’s hard to disagree.
“The law needs to change and there needs to be examples made of these builders for non-compliance,” Martin said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Sovereign Building Company lawyers wrote to Building and Energy requesting an extension of time until May 25.
“It’s best estimate for practical completion … it intends to complete the remediation of all outstanding items including the face brickwork,” the statement said.
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