Dozens of Adelaide families have been left in a home renovation nightmare after forking out tens of thousands of dollars for unfinished work, with the builder nowhere to be seen.
Kira Oxley’s home is now uninhabitable after her bathroom, toilet and laundry were left as empty shells when renovations came to an abrupt halt more than two months ago, forcing her to move out.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Adelaide families left with renovation nightmare
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“This is the state that my bathroom is in,” Oxley said.
“I cannot live here unless I pay for an ensuite to be put in which I can’t afford. I’m tired, I’m emotional so it is very hard.”
Kira Oxley’s home has been left unfinished. Credit: 7NEWSShe says she is unable to live there. Credit: 7NEWS
After starting a Facebook page, similar horror stories began flooding in, including from a Modbury family of six whose kitchen is only half finished.
“So we’re having to cook on the barbecue that’s out in the garden and do our dishes in a bucket essentially in our bath,” Conor Bye said.
The builder is Jase William Henry, whose company SOS Home Renovations boasts 20 years’ experience as trusted builders and renovators, but he’s been uncontactable for months.
“Not had anything from him or from his business partner,” Bye said.
Conor Bye’s kitchen was also left unfinished. Credit: 7NEWSThe family has to wash their dishes in the bath. Credit: 7NEWS
“So I’ve tried email, phone, SMS, Facebook Messenger all with no communication back unfortunately,” Oxley said.
Having already paid a substantial deposit, Oxley began to suspect something was terribly wrong when a second payment was requested before the job had even started.
Another disaster zone at Hallett Cove shows almost every room resembling a construction site.
Complaints have already been lodged with Consumer Affairs.
“If companies aren’t doing the right thing they’ll face the full pressure of the law,” Housing Minister Nick Champion said.
Henry’s building licence expired on Sunday, and he wasn’t answering either of his two mobile phones.
