Single mother Vicky, after working hard to purchase her own home, aimed to install a front yard fence as a completion to her dream. She sought out three quotes and ultimately chose Dave Surawski from Erect-a-Fence. However, despite paying $10,000 to start the job, three months later, her garden remains unfenced, and the contractor has vanished.
Vicky is among over 15 disgruntled customers who have raised serious concerns about Surawski’s business practices, prompting authorities to scrutinise his operations closely. The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has maintained confidentiality regarding specific complaints but confirmed that Surawski’s Structural Landscaping licence was suspended due to non-payment of debts as of May 2025. He also faced multiple penalties for various infringements, including fines for unlicensed contracting and failure to address defective work orders.
The QBCC operates under strict guidelines that prohibit the sharing of certain details about ongoing investigations to ensure fairness in the complaint resolution processes for all parties involved. However, homeowners facing issues with contractors are encouraged to lodge complaints with the QBCC. They are advised against overpaying or prepaying for services and should adhere to legal limits on deposits, which are set at 10% for contracts ranging from $3,300 to $19,999, and 5% for contracts above $20,000, barring certain exceptions.
For contractors who have had their licenses suspended, they cannot undertake or offer building work or sign contracts until the matter is resolved. Meanwhile, subcontractors owed money may have recourse through their agreements with head contractors but should consult relevant authorities if payments are not forthcoming.
The QBCC also emphasises the importance of homeowners conducting thorough research before hiring contractors, including checking the QBCC’s public license register to confirm a contractor’s credentials. The organisation provides various resources to help inform homeowners about their rights and responsibilities in the building process, including guidance on written contracts and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
In summary, Vicky’s unfortunate experience highlights the potential pitfalls of contracting services without due diligence, enduring challenges many homeowners encounter when engaging builders or tradespeople. The QBCC remains a vital resource for safeguarding the interests of consumers in the building sector.