Dave Adams is $100,000 out of pocket after a 20-month ordeal with Gold Coast builder Queensland One Homes

DAVE Adams worked hard, saved up, bought the perfect hilltop block and developed plans to build what he hoped would be his cherished first home. In the end, he had to change the locks just to move in.

David Adams at his unfinished Q1 home at Wavell Heights. Picture: Annette Dew

DAVE Adams worked hard, saved up, bought the perfect hilltop block and developed plans to build what he hoped would be his cherished first home.

Now he finds himself up to $100,000 out of pocket, renting out his rooms to make ends meet and indebted to friends and family after nightmare dealings with collapsed Gold Coast builder Queensland One Homes.

Mr Adams, 31, had chosen the company because they’d assured him of a 14-week build. That was in September 2015.

David Adams at his unfinished Q1 home at Wavell Heights. Pic Annette Dew

He finally moved in this June — but only after he legally terminated the contract and changed the locks. It’s fair to say he did not get what he paid for.

The wrong blinds were installed; some doors had no handles; water bubbled from the floor drain when the toilet flushed; hot taps were connected to cold water; the turf was dead; the gas not connected; drainage ineffective.

The roof, the balustrading, the render — the list continues. In all, there were 96 defects in the home.

“Queensland One said if I signed the contract, they could start by Christmas and be finished by my 30th birthday in March 2016,” Mr Adams said.

“In the end, they didn’t even start building until July 2016.

“I told them I needed a set price — I was at my borrowing capacity with the bank — they assured me it would be done by May (2016) with no additional costs.”

Mr Adams terminated his long-term rental lease on the basis that he’d be living in his new home by May last year — the landlords eventually got sick of repeated short-term extensions and kicked him out — so he lived in AirBnBs for four months.

“I didn’t know how long it would be, so I couldn’t sign a lease,” he said.

“I had a private inspector look at the property and he found more defects, so there were 96, $70,000 worth.

“I offered to make a part payment and complete the work myself, but they refused.”

On legal advice, Mr Adams changed the lock and took possession of the home.

“It was my first home and it was supposed to be something special, but to be honest I think I’m going to have to sell it.

“It was supposed to be a million-dollar home. It’s up on the hill. There are nice views of Brisbane, but with the amount of work I’ve got to do it will cost too much.”

SOME OF THE 96 DEFECTS MR ADAMS COMPLAINED TO QBCC ABOUT:

● Shower base holds water.

● Bath installed crooked.

● Laundry sink dented and scratched.

● Dead turf laid.

● No gas connection installed.

● Flush the toilet and water comes up through the floor waste.

● Hot taps connected to cold water.

● Water does not drain away on balcony, instead drains towards the house.