Following the prosecution of a Geraldton tradesman, WA’s Building Commissioner is reminding consumers about registration and deposit rules for painting and other building work.
Geraldton Magistrates Court ordered Darren John Aldridge to pay a $1,500 fine and $443.70 in costs for carrying out painting work without the required registration and accepting a deposit that was more than five times the maximum allowed.
Under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, only registered painting contractors can carry out paid painting work valued at $1,000 or more. The court was told Mr Aldridge did not have this registration when he performed painting work at a Mount Tarcoola home using the trading name Darren Aldridge Painting.
By law, a maximum deposit of 6.5 per cent can be charged before residential building work, including painting, valued at $7,500 or more is commenced.
Mr Aldridge’s initial $10,800 quote for the painting work at Mount Tarcoola included a deposit of $2,800 or almost 26 per cent of the total value. A revised quote resulted in the homeowner paying a cash deposit of almost 37 per cent of the total value.
In court on 9 January 2025, Magistrate Kelly Thompson noted Mr Aldridge had a past conviction for a similar matter but no other recent offences.
Building Commissioner Saj Abdoolakhan encouraged consumers to check a painter’s registration online or through the ServiceWA app.
“In this case, the person was previously registered and aware of the rules,” he said.
“Registration aims to protect consumers by ensuring a painter has the appropriate qualifications and experience, as well as being a fit and proper person. Attempts to bypass this process are unfair to those painters who have worked hard to obtain and maintain their registration.
“Similarly, the 6.5 per cent deposit limit protects consumers by minimising their potential financial losses if the work is incomplete or defective.”
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Media contact: BEmedia@demirs.wa.gov.au
