Cre8tive Construction Group: Office of Fair Trading’s warning against Brisbane tradie Brendan Hawxwell

The Office of Fair Trading has publicly warned Queensland customers to not deal with a liquidated but still operating builder after claims people were ripped off to the tune of thousands of dollars.

Several people have claimed they were ripped off by tradie Brendan John Hawxwell and his company, Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd, to the tune of thousands of dollars. Picture: A Current Affair

The Office of Fair Trading has taken the extraordinary step of publicly warning Queenslanders not to deal with a builder.

The agency issued the warning against dealing with Brendan John Hawxwell and his company, Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd, after several people claimed they were ripped off by the tradie to the tune of thousands of dollars.

Fair Trading, in a media release to the public, said it had received multiple complaints from consumers who paid Mr Hawxwell for building services across Brisbane and the Gold Coast which they claim he failed to provide, including retaining walls, fencing, and decking.

The OFT said Mr Hawxwell, who has featured on A Current Affair, also operated businesses called ‘Brisbane Fencing and Decking’, or ‘Queensland Fencing and Decking’.

“Consumers were required to make substantial payments upfront, with some deposits reaching up to 45 per cent of the value of the quote before work commenced,” an OFT spokesperson said.

“They are now substantially out of pocket.”

Several people have claimed they were ripped off by tradie Brendan John Hawxwell and his company, Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd, to the tune of thousands of dollars. Picture: A Current Affair

According to its media release, Fair Trading said one consumer had paid $20,000 to Hawxwell “but is yet to have the building work completed or receive a cent of their money back”.

Another had paid $8000 last year for a fence, keypad, pool fencing and two gates.

The existing fence was removed and post holes were dug out but no materials were supplied and no further work occurred, the OFT said.

Another customer paid more than $20,000 to Mr Hawxwell but is yet to have the building work completed or receive a cent of their money back, the OFT said.

Fair Trading said Mr Hawxwell’s company was now in liquidation but he was still in business.

The OFT warned consumers to watch out for social media accounts or websites created by Mr Hawxwell to attract new business, with recent reports indicating he may be advertising building services in northern NSW as well.

Fair Trading said it was also advising consumers to avoid buying goods from online motor parts seller Japam Pty Ltd, as regulator moves to take further action against the company and its owner Jason Murray.

“Mr Murray has been operating Japam Pty Ltd ACN 656 929 305, mainly through eBay and Facebook, and has repeatedly failed to provide reconditioned engines bought by consumers, leaving them out of pocket,” the spokesperson said.

“The OFT is investigating a number of complaints about this trader including from consumers in other states who ordered engines and failed to receive them. They were given excuses for the delays, then promised a refund but eventually all communication stopped.”

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath said the OFT was looking into a series of “very serious complaints” relating to Mr Hawxwell and Mr Murray.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more dodgy traders operating through social media and online marketplaces such as eBay — they like to hide behind online profiles, taking your money before disappearing into the digital abyss,” she said.

“Our message to Queenslanders is simple: do your homework by checking reviews and a general internet search of the businesses you’re looking to use.

“If something doesn’t look or feel right, choose another trader to get your goods and services.

“We will continue to crack down on dodgy traders who are taking money from consumers and failing to supply.”