Mionnet, 33 of Officer, was convicted and fined $70,000 after being found guilty of 4 charges relating to unregistered building and plumbing work at a Belgrave home.
The offences included carrying out building and plumbing work without the required accreditation, and carrying out building work without a permit and without the required domestic building insurance (DBI).
Mionnet, a sole trader under the business name Constructed Building Group, responded to the mother of three's Facebook post about work required on a carport and pergola at her home.
The Dandenong Magistrates' Court heard Mionnet quoted $35,000 for the job, and told the homeowner a building permit was not required.
Mionnet asked for a 50% deposit – well in excess of the maximum 5% – and continually asked for progress payments and added extra charges that were not included in the original quote.
In total, the homeowner handed over $43,000 before paying for an independent inspection report which revealed the incomplete work was defective. Yarra Ranges Council also inspected the site and confirmed the decking was dangerous and should not be used.
The homeowner asked for a refund and attempted mediation but never heard from Mionnet again. She later took Mionnet to VCAT and he was ordered to pay $55,000 in damages, but it has never been paid.
Magistrate Hugh Radford said Mionnet's offending was very serious and required a substantial penalty as a punishment and deterrent.
This case highlights consumers should always use a registered builder and a licensed or registered plumber. You can check if your builder and plumber are registered at bpc.vic.gov.au/check
If you know of an unregistered builder or plumber, you can report them to us via this online tip off form: Report Unregistered Building and Unlicensed Plumbing Work .
Quotes attributable to BPC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Anna Cronin
"This court outcome should serve as a warning to those who illegally build and put consumers at risk."
"The BPC is working hard to hold unregistered builders to account but the best way to stop them is not to hire them in the first place."
