List of creditors owed money by Gold Coast builder Sunfox, trading as Art of Homes

A devastated school teacher says his family may never be able to afford a new home after losing $50,000 in the collapse of a Gold Coast building company. SEE LIST OF CREDITORS

A devastated school teacher says his young family may never be able to afford a new home after losing $50,000 in the collapse of a Gold Coast building company.

Administrators were appointed earlier this month to Helensvale’s Sunfox, trading as Art of Homes, after the Bulletin revealed accusations of cancelled contracts and unpaid invoices.

The company’s sole director, Corey Hobbins, told administrators it owed $1.18m to unsecured creditors.

The number of creditors and amounts owed is likely to rise as administrators continue to look through the company’s finances.

Rachael and Corey Hobbins of Art of Homes.

Art of Homes customer Brad Gilmore said he paid a deposit of more than $50,000 to build his young family’s dream home on a block of land in Ballina.

He said the company delivered “pretty much nothing” before terminating the contract on January 31.

“It is devastating. We are basically looking like we are going to have to swallow a bitter pill of not getting any of that money back,” the school teacher said.

“My wife is a nurse and we have three young boys.

“We are attending all the (creditors) meetings and doing everything we can, but no-one is really giving us any good news.”

Mr Gilmore said Mr Hobbins had not returned any of his phone calls, texts or emails since the contract was terminated.

“We are still trying to decide if we can afford to build (a home),” the schoolteacher said.

“We have had this block of land since May 2020 - Covid and floods slowed it down.

“Everything was ready to go and (the company’s) admin told us that (Mr Hobbins) was getting a construction certificate at the start of this year.

“Then we got the email saying he had terminated the contract.”

Rachael and Corey Hobbins of Art of Homes.

The Bulletin made several attempts to contact Art of Homes and Mr Hobbins, but did not receive a response by deadline.

Last month, it was revealed the Queensland Building and Construction Commission had moved to impose conditions on the licences of Sunfox and Lantis, the two companies that traded as Art of Homes.

Sunfox had previously traded as Hotondo Homes Helensvale.

Art of Homes, operated by licensed builder Mr Hobbins and wife Rachael, had been inundated with scathing online reviews from angry customers and subbies months prior.

They said they had been unable to contact the company after handing over tens of thousands of dollars in home deposits and work.