Builder ordered to pay couple $235k over botched job

A BUILDER has been forced to pay a couple almost a quarter of a million dollars after he botched construction of their family home.

Poorly wired electrics, extensive water damage and a dodgy shower installation were among the defects in the house.

A BUILDER has been forced to pay a couple almost a quarter of a million dollars after he botched construction of their family home.

Poorly wired electrics trailing through puddles of water, extensive water damage and a dodgy shower installation were among the slew of defects found in the Melbourne house.

Builder Andrew Zigouras was ordered to pay the owners $234,559 by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal last month.

Kevin and Nicole Agent bought the four-year-old Brighton home in 2012 but only became aware of the dodgy building job when they moved in three years later.

Robert McLean, a builder hired by the Agents to fix some of the issues, told the tribunal both he and one of his workers had received electric shocks from an aluminium door sill that had a live wire running through it.

Mr McLean said he found 140 volts running through the frame, caused by an electrical wire being crushed between the door sill and flooring.

Mr McLean presented photos of the dodgy work as evidence, saying he snapped pictures “because I was alarmed at what I was seeing”.

Peter Mackie, a building consultant hired by the Agents, also gave evidence that the tiling “to most internal walls (of the ensuite) was a danger to occupants”.

He said it was likely caused by adhesive failing to bond the tiles to the wall surface.

But Mr Zigouras unsuccessfully argued tiling defects could have been caused by movement in the house or misuse such as “people jumping and banging and crashing in the showers”.

Mr Mackie also told the tribunal the home’s three balconies were riddled with defects, including unsupported floors, joists without fixing nails in them and inadequate draining channels.

He said the issues had allowed water to seep into the house and damage the ceilings and cabinetry.

Work to repair the balconies alone was estimated by Mr Mackie to cost $91,412.

Mr Zigouras was ordered to foot the bill for all repairs.

Originally published as Builder ordered to pay couple $235k over botched job