Unregistered builder Tim Phan ordered to refund three customers

AN unregistered Maidstone builder convicted of ripping off customers is still allowed to do business, prompting a warning from the son of an elderly victim who parted with thousands of dollars for building supplies that never arrived.

AN unregistered Maidstone builder convicted of ripping off multiple customers is still allowed to do business.

Tim Phan, 53, of Avondale Heights, was last month ordered by the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court to refund three of his customers a total of more than $26,700.

HOW TO CHOOSE A BUILDER

Consumer Affairs Victoria brought the action against Mr Phan, who traded as K2M Homes Group, for breaching Victorian building contract and consumer laws.

The action came about after multiple customers complained they had paid for goods and services that Mr Phan did not supply on time or at all.

These included a failure of Mr Pham to deliver kitchen and bathroom items and domestic building services.

However, Mr Phan is free to continue doing business with future customers on certain conditions.

The court ordered he must not enter into any major domestic building contracts while he is unregistered but this only applies to works costing more than $10,000.

The son of one K2M’s victims, Peter Iverson, whose elderly mother paid more than $2000 for building supplies that never arrived, said it was disappointing he could still do business.

“They’re crooks who can’t be trusted, my mum spent most of her savings to get her home renovated but lost it all,” Mr Iverson said.

“This company, it’s a front company, they’re dishonest and they don’t care, steer clear.”

Mr Iverson said he made several attempts to get a refund but in the end lodged a complaint with Consumer Affairs.

“I went in there to get the money more than once and they just pretend they don’t speak English or don’t know what you’re talking about and one time they threatened to call the police,” Mr Iverson said.

Another victim, Shivaun Lomas, said her husband lost hundreds of dollars he paid Mr Phan for a kitchen cabinet that never arrived.

“K2M is shonky, they just play games with you,” Ms Lomas said.

“I tried to get a refund at the store but they threatened to call the police.”

Neither party has received any money from Mr Phan following the court order.

Victorian Builders Association spokesman Lyndon Humphrey said there were a few tips people could follow to avoid shonky contractors.

“Always choose a building practitioner who is registered to do the type of work you require,” Mr Humphrey said.

“Ask to see their registration, which can be checked along with their disciplinary history on the VBA website.”

Leader attempted to contact Mr Phan but he did not return calls.