No dodgy sites: Building watchdog gives all-clear to flood reconstruction in Logan, Brisbane, Lockyer, Gympie

Dodgy tradies and construction businesses have not been taking advantage of flood-affected southeast homes, an audit by the building regulator reveals.

Dodgy tradies and construction businesses have been deterred from targeting flood-affected households in southeast Queensland, according to a report from the state’s building regulator.

Audits of building work on flood-damaged homes in southeast Queensland by the building industry regulator have revealed no instances of unlicensed building work.

Officers from the Queensland Building and Construction Commission visited properties in Brisbane, Logan, the Lockyer Valley and Gympie that were damaged in February’s freak storms and flooding.

The QBCC officers interviewed 89 people at 25 building sites on nine days during August and September but found no unlicensed contractors or other building-related concerns.

Ipswich streets where property buybacks are taking place.

QBCC Commissioner Anissa Levy said the result was a positive outcome but she reminded homeowners dealing with flood damage to only ever use licensed contractors.

“This has been a positive outcome, in that local families who have had the stress of dealing with damage to their homes are not being subjected to shoddy or illegal repair work by unlicensed contractors,” she said.

“Our officers are reporting back to us that the message about only using licensed contractors appears to be getting through and locals can feel confident that their homes are being repaired by licensees with the appropriate skills and qualifications.”

Ms Levy said having QBCC officers in areas affected by natural disasters helped to deter unlicensed “storm chasers” seeking to cash in on unsuspecting and vulnerable homeowners.

Unlicensed contractors can be fined up to $2875 and repeat offenders can face prosecution where magistrates have the ability to fine them up to $35,937.

For unlicensed companies the maximum fine is $179,687.

During the compliance operations, QBCC officers have also been providing information to contractors and homeowners on what they need to be aware of when repairing water-

damaged properties.

Despite the positive outcome with the audits, QBCC officers urged anyone seeking to have building work done to only ever use licensed contractors.