A tradesman who carried out unlicensed painting work despite a previous conviction has faced Fremantle Magistrates Court following prosecution by the Building Commissioner.
Christopher Robert Larden and Aesthetic Painting and Staging Pty Ltd were fined a total of $12,500 after pleading guilty to breaching WA’s building service registration laws. Under this legislation, only a registered painting contractor can carry out, or contract for, paid painting work valued at more than $1,000.
The court was told that in September 2024, the property manager for a Yangebup home contacted Mr Larden to request patching, sanding and painting work.
Aesthetic, which is operated by Mr Larden’s wife, emailed a quote of $5,900 for the project and an invoice for a $1,782 deposit. Mr Larden later carried out the work.
Neither Aesthetic nor Mr Larden held painting contractor registration at the time.
In court on 28 April 2026, Aesthetic was fined $10,000 and Mr Larden was fined $2,500. Both parties were ordered pay costs of $500 each.
In August 2020, Mr Larden was fined $1,500 for falsely presenting as a registered painter and for carrying out painting work that required registration.
Aesthetic and Mr Larden have since become registered.
Building Commissioner Phil Payne encouraged homeowners to carry out a licence search or check the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Register of Painters.
“Registration aims to protect consumers by ensuring a painter has the necessary skills and experience to take on the project,” Mr Payne said.
“Shoddy painting work can be expensive and inconvenient to rectify. These offences put consumers at risk and are unfair to painters who have worked hard to gain registration.”
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Media contact: BEmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Related media statement: Unregistered painter’s brush with the law (August 2020)
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