Multi-Res liquidation: First homeowners say company has left Risdon Vale houses unfinished for years

Clients of a Tasmanian building company now in liquidation say they were “promised the world”, but have instead been left with nothing but the bones of the buildings they thought would become their homes. LATEST IN THE SAGA >

Jack Bird, 25, is a first homeowner who was building a home at Risdon Vale through Multi-Res Builders, who have gone into liquidation.

Clients of a Tasmanian building company now in liquidation say they were “promised the world”, but have instead been left with nothing but the bones of the buildings they thought would become their homes.

When Jack Bird signed on Multi-Res Builders Pty Ltd to complete his first home two and a half years ago, he thought he was in for a simple process, after being told everything was “ready to go” within the month.

But it would not be until about 14 months later that builders would start working on the Athena Drive, Risdon Vale site.

Liquidator David Levi was appointed to oversee the winding up of Multi-Res – headed by Colin Barratt – on Sunday, May 14.

Since then, the company has wiped their website and failed to return calls from businesses that claim they are owed money for works on various projects.

Jack Bird is a first homeowner who was building a home at Risdon Vale through Multi-Res Builders who have gone into liquidation.

Mr Bird, 25, who had accessed the first homeowners grant, said works took so long to begin that he lost thousands from the grant.

“(Multi-Res) always had another excuse … but when I spoke with the person who actually owned the land they said they (Multi-Res) would never have been ready to work (immediately) and it would have always been a 12 month wait,” Mr Bird said.

He said during the period of his contract, he was asked by Multi-Res for more money on two occasions: the first, when the company told him to fork out an extra $50k for materials after a surge in prices due to the pandemic – of which Mr Bird said he eventually got down to $30k.

He said he felt like he had no other option than to pay the money.

Multi-Res Builders site at Risdon Vale.

Multi-Res Builders director Colin Barratt.

“It would have cost a lot more money to find a new builder to take over and finish,” he said.

The second time was on Thursday, three days before the company went into liquidation.

“They said ‘it’s no secret we don’t have any money and if you can pay for some of the materials we can build your house faster for you’.”

Mr Bird is now left unable to get into his unfinished house, after he said all the locks were changed by Multi-Res.

Mr Bird’s unfinished home in Risdon Vale.

He was told the keys had been given to contractors, but that they had no record of who that was.

A young Hobart dad, who did not wish to be named, is also in the same boat.

The first homeowners grant recipient has also waited since 2020 for his Risdon Vale property to be completed.

He said after signing on the dotted line, Multi-Res had promised him “the world” but he quickly found it harder and harder to get in contact with the company.

“After a while (they) wouldn’t answer their phone calls, emails or text and by that point they were not doing any work on the site,” he said.

Works on his home began just late last year, and the only work that had been completed was a bit of the flooring and bricking.

The delay has meant the young father has had to keep renting, and he estimates he’s forked out about $30k in rent since signing his contract – money he said could have gone towards paying off a home loan.

Multi-Res Builders site at Risdon Vale.

“Last week I talked to the Barratt’s about the house … and they said they would get back on track … and four days later they went into liquidation, they lied straight to my face,” he said.

“You’ve got all of these young men and women suffering now who don’t know what to do,” he said.

“I don’t know how many other people have also worked their arses off (and) poured money into building a house – and we’ve been shafted.”

He said Multi-Res had also asked him for an extra $50k to account for an increase in costs for materials, which, like Mr Bird, he felt obligated to sign for.

“I don’t think I will ever build a house (again), I don’t think I could do it,” he said.

“I’ve been stressed for two years over this, it’s been a horrible experience; it’s been terrible.”

Originally published as Multi-Res liquidation: First homeowners say company has left Risdon Vale houses unfinished for years