Consumers are reminded to ensure their builders are registered and to check deposit requirements for home building work after a tradesman’s “egregious offences” left a Perth homeowner out of pocket with no work carried out.
At Joondalup Magistrates Court, James Kevin Geoffrey Berryman – trading as SFG Construction, WPS Roofing and WPS Roof Plumbing – was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay costs of $978.24 after pleading guilty to three building offences.
According to information presented in court by the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, Mr Berryman entered into a $48,468 contract in July 2024 for roofing, wall cladding and kitchen and bathroom renovation work at a Koondoola property.
Mr Berryman was not a registered building contractor, which is required to carry out home building work valued at more than $20,000 and needing a building permit.
Mr Berryman also sought and received a 35 per cent deposit, or almost $17,000, from the homeowner. A maximum deposit of 6.5 per cent is allowed under the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 before commencing home building work valued between $7,500 and $500,000.
The court heard no work was ever carried out and no materials were delivered.
Mr Berryman was fined $2,500 for the registration offence, $2,000 for the excessive deposit and $500 for not providing mandatory information about homeowners’ rights under the Act.
In court on 6 March 2026, Magistrate Andrew Maughan said the “egregious offences” had left the homeowner out of pocket because Mr Berryman had taken a deposit, not done the work and only partially repaid the money. His Honour noted it was in the public interest for qualified people to carry out building work.
Building Commissioner Phil Payne encouraged due diligence by homeowners.
“Consumers are protected by home building contract legislation, which includes the 6.5 per cent deposit limit to help avoid situations where large sums of money are taken and work is incomplete or defective,” Mr Payne said.
“If your contract is over $20,000, check your builder is registered. This will ensure they have the required skills, experience, supervision and financial capacity to carry out the work. Registrations can be checked at the Building and Energy website or the ServiceWA app.”
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Media contact: BEmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au
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