Brisbane pool builder Stunning Pools in liquidation owing money to suppliers, tax office, customers

A Brisbane pool builder has plunged into liquidation, leaving up to 40 families with unfinished projects and the director saying ‘I wouldn’t be shocked if I go bankrupt over this’.

Stunning Pools director Alan Jolliffe and former director Phillip Karabitsios.

A Brisbane pool builder has plunged into liquidation after the break-up of a business partnership, leaving up to 40 customers out of pocket and with unfinished pools.

Holland Park company Stunning Pools went into liquidation on October 13, with the director saying “I wouldn’t be shocked if I go bankrupt over this.”

Meanwhile, a former customer says she told the building regulator of her concerns about the company back in March - but no action was taken.

Liquidator Nikhil Khatri of Worrells appointed wrote to customers this week, telling them the company would be “unable to complete any outstanding works”.

He said the company had 40 active contracts and urged customers who had paid for work with a credit card to seek a refund from their bank.

One customer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said she contracted Stunning Pools to build a pool shell and landscaping on her Gold Coast property last November.

The customer said she paid her first invoices but became concerned when a third invoice arrived when little progress had been made on the project.

“The contact had gone cold, I’d had no emails or phone calls and I thought, that’s not really OK.

“I had a pool shell, a destroyed yard and they just kept sending me invoices.”

A customer of Stunning Pools cancelled the contract and had other tradies finish the job.

A customer of Stunning Pools cancelled the contract and had other tradies finish the job. Stunning Pools is now in liquidation.

The customer eventually cancelled her contract with Stunning Pools and finished the job herself.

“I was so stressed, I’d never built a pool in my life, but I was lucky enough to find subcontractors and project manage the pool to where it is now.

“What really upsets me is that 40 other families have unfinished pools and leading up to Christmas it just breaks my heart.”

ASIC records show Stunning Pools was registered by Phillip Karabitsios, 51, in June 2023.

Holland Park man Alan Jolliffe, 49, became a director later that year and was sole director when the company went into liquidation, with Mr Karabitsios resigning in August.

The sole shareholder is a company directed by Brisbane psychologist Joanne Karabitsios, 44.

Mr Jolliffe, a concreter and former real estate agent, said he was not aware of the mounting debts until they had become unmanageable.

“I knew it was in trouble about nine weeks ago when my business partner called a meeting with me,” he said.

“He told me because he couldn’t go on, emotionally and financially, he was going to fold the company.

“I asked him to step down as a director and said I’d give it a crack.”

Alan Jolliffe, in a photo from 2008.

Phillip Karabitsios.

Mr Jolliffe said he wasn’t sure how much the company owed, but thought there was around $400,000 in debt to subcontractors and suppliers, as well as an unknown amount owed in tax and superannuation.

“I’m a simple guy, with no exposure to bookwork,” he said.

“I’ve only had access to the bank accounts and Xero (accounting software) for the past few weeks.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if I go bankrupt over this.”

No action has been taken against any individuals in relation to the company’s liquidation.

Mr Jolliffe said he didn’t know what he would do now the company was in liquidation with its QBCC licence suspended.

“That’s a really good question, one my wife asks every night.”

While Mr Jolliffe’s future is uncertain, his former business partner is apparently forging ahead with a new business.

QBCC records show Mr Karabitsios was granted a full swimming pool construction licence in June this year and he has since registered business names for Scenic Rim Custom Pools and Pegasus Pools.

He registered a web address for Pegasus in July under his sole trader ABN.

Mr Karabitsios did not want the Courier-Mail to publish a story about the collapsed company.

“I’ve got no interest in chatting to you, I don’t think it’s newsworthy or anybody’s business apart from the people involved,” he said.

He declined to comment further.

A screenshot from the Stunning Pools website, which has since been taken down.

The customer said the lack of response from the building regulator when she complained about the company was disappointing.

“I contacted the QBCC, I was disgusted, they did absolutely nothing,” she said.

The QBCC said it was unable to comment on specific investigations.

“Home owners in Queensland who are affected by the liquidation of Stunning Pools will be able to seek assistance through the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme (QHWS), which can help eligible owners to complete their homes or rectify defective building work,” the regulator said in a statement.

“The QBCC acknowledges there’s more work to be done to become truly customer-focused, which is why the organisation, under the leadership of a new CEO and Commissioner, is making practical, common-sense changes to improve trust, support productivity and reduce red tape.

“This includes the recent launch of the QBCC’s Home Owner Hub.”