‘Dreams shattered’: Former Porter Davis customers building their case

Furious homeowners have protested in the Brisbane CBD over the collapse of building giant Porter Davis which has left many out of pocket and with half finished homes.

A large crowd has descended on Brisbane city to protest against the Queensland Building and Construction Commission following the liquidation of building company Porter Davis.

Homeowners have been left to try and pick up the pieces following the collapse of Porter Davis, which fell into liquidation on March 31 this year, with many of them at the protest in Reddacliff Place on Sunday morning.

A customer of collapsed builder Porter Davis, Shalu Krishna, protests in Brisbane’s CBD. Picture: Richard Walker

The company, which was the 12th largest residential builder in Australia, left 1500 unfinished homes in Victoria and a further 200 in Queensland. The Melbourne-based builder had a further 779 clients who had paid deposits, but where work had not started on their projects when liquidators were appointed.

Homes have been left at different stages of construction, some at just the framework stage, with other just need the final touches, when the company collapsed.

Distressed protesters shared their experiences claiming the Premier and QBCC have lacked any sort of effective communication on the matter.

Customers of collapsed builder Porter Davis protest in the Brisbane CBD. Picture: Richard Walker

Father and Clinical Consultant Simerpal Singh Randhawa, 34, said the Premier needed to “wake up”.

“She hasn’t even bothered to respond and say ‘we’ve looked into your query,’” he said.

Mr Randhawa said after he signed the building contract in September 2021 for a fixed price, Porter Davis said they would be able to complete the home in about 12 months.

“Things just kept on getting worse and worse from there, there were so many long delays and every time they would say their delays were because of Covid or supply chain issues.

Porter Davis customers Sukhjit Kaur, Simerpal Singh and Taran Kaur with baby Nabab in their unfinished home. Picture: Richard Walker

“But on the other hand, other houses in the same estate we are building in that started after us are almost done,” he said.

Mr Randhawa said they had already paid about $230,000 which was just 40 per cent of the total price.

“We are still paying mortgage on the place we are currently living in and a separate place that is not even liveable out of our pockets,” he said.

Mr Randhawa said his family are considering moving back to India because it’s the “easiest way out”.

“With a young family it’s very frustrating, the vibe in our home is so negative,” he said.

Mr Randhawa said his family’s “dreams were shattered”.

Maitry Shah was a customer and former employee of Porter Davis. Picture: Richard Walker

Former Porter Davis Employee and Customer Maitry Shah said the whole thing was such a shock.

“We didn’t have the slightest idea that any of this was happening and we were expanding as well,” Ms Shah said.

Ms Shah said she had lots of clients who are in a very difficult situation while she was also trying to organise her own home being built.

“I lost all my bonuses worth about $200,000 dollars,” she said.

Ms Shah said there was a lot of emotional turmoil from her customers as well as her own.

“QBCC have been so slack and when they do answer on the phone which takes hours, their response is super dicey,” she said.

Porter Davis customers Carin Davidson and Warren Kaufmann. Picture: Richard Walker

Another former Porter Davis customer Carin Davidson, 36, said she and her partner were supposed to be getting married in September and now the money that was going towards the wedding is not.

“Unfortunately, our contract for our land has gone under liquidation and now we no longer have that deposit,” Ms Davidson said.

Ms Davidson said they have suffered massive financial repercussion from the issue which was “such a mess.”

“Now that it’s been a year since we paid, prices from our deposit have all gone up and we don’t have enough money to cover that shortfall,” she said.

“And we can’t even do anything until the Porter Davis license is cancelled,” she said.

Meanwhile, former Porter Davis employees have also suffered.

Organiser of the protest Shalu Krishna said they would soon be creating a petition.

“It’s everyone’s hard earned savings, we just want to move on with our lives and get our own builders,” she said.

“We want to bring some attention to this issue and break the silence,” she said.

A QBCC spokesperson confirmed that they are working closely with the liquidator of Porter Davis Homes.

“Where a homeowner has signed a fixed price contract with Porter Davis for the construction of a home and paid a deposit, but work has not started on site, the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme administered by the QBCC will refund the deposit to the homeowner.

“However, any money paid before a building contract is signed cannot be recovered under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

“The QBCC has so far received 101 claims under the QHWS, including 21 for return of deposits and 70 non-completion claims.”