Consumer Affairs warning over unlicensed SA builder Joshua Jones for ‘substandard’ work

A Navy veteran says she has been left $9500 out of pocket by an unlicensed SA builder who is now in the crosshairs of the consumer watchdog.

Customers of 111 Earthworks and Landscapes have reported that they have paid large deposits to the business but work was either incomplete or even not started. File picture

A public warning has been issued over an unlicensed builder soliciting for work around the state, with customers paying “substantial amounts of money” for work that was never started.

The state’s consumer watchdog has warned the public against doing business with Joshua Jones, trading as 111 Earthworks and Landscapes, who customers have said “never started” work despite taking large deposits.

Consumer Affairs acting commissioner Fraser Stroud said he has received a number of complaints made against the business.

“Several consumers have told us that they’ve engaged this individual to do building work and paid substantial deposits,” Mr Stroud said.

“In at least two cases the work was never started, with another two complainants telling us that the work was both incomplete and substandard.

“These are often substantial amounts of money being paid for work that was either never started or will require significant remedial works.”

Navy veteran Margaret Hodson says she is owed $9500 for work which was not completed by Joshua Jones. Picture: Supplied

Morphett Vale navy veteran Margaret Hodson said Mr Jones did work on her home in November last year.

Ms Hodson, 64, said she found his business on Facebook and initially he did “a good job” levelling the ground in her backyard so she could put decking in.

But things took a turn when she asked him to level the front yard for a retaining wall.

She said he immediately asked for a 50 per cent deposit of the $15k total for the job.

“About two weeks later he wanted another $2k.”

But Ms Hodson said Mr Jones did not come to complete the work.

“He kept saying, ‘I’ll be there next week’” she said.

She said she was in desperate need for the wall as she “had someone trying to break in” during this time.

“I contacted him but he was not answering,” she said.

In March of this year, Ms Hodson had given up on the work and started to ask Mr Jones to return the money.

“He sent me an email and said he’s got no money.”

They worked out a payment plan, Ms Hodson said, but he did not pay any of the $9500 he now owed.

In June, Ms Hodson started a Facebook page, which now has 40 to 50 members, for people who had similar issues with the business.

She also reported the matter to Consumer Affairs.

“I thought, if I’m feeling stupid I’m not the only one.”

Mr Jones was contacted for comment but declined to make a statement.

Mr Stroud felt “it is only proper” to issue to warning as Consumer Affairs investigations into the business continue.

He encouraged customers to check the Consumer and Business Services (CBS) register to ensure their builder is properly licensed to complete work.

“An issue of concern is that this individual does not hold a valid builder’s licence,” Mr Stroud said.

“I would also urge any consumers who have dealt with this individual who have not contacted us already to do so.”

The public warning notice on the CBS site alleged that the business and Mr Jones, on a number of occasions, breached Australian consumer law as he “accepted payment for services and has failed to supply all the services within a reasonable time frame”.