Local Build director, Paul Philip, registers new renovation business in Caloundra

The Sunshine Coast builder behind a $1.8m company collapse has opened a new renovation business, leaving former clients frustrated and “heartbroken”.

Paul Philip.

A Sunshine Coast family left “heartbroken” by a $1.8m building company collapse has revealed their frustration at news the director has opened a second renovation company less than one year on.

Sunshine Coast-based builder, Paul Douglas Philip was the director of Local Build Pty Ltd, which began constructing new homes from a Pelican Waters address in September 2014.

Local Build entered liquidation in July last year, according to Queensland Building and Construction Commission documents, appointing liquidator Paul Nogueira to wind the company up.

Local Build client, Rebecca O’Neil said she hired Paul Philip to oversee the construction of her family’s home in Nirimba, but was ultimately left with an unfinished, non-compliant build following the company’s collapse.

“We were just gutted that one year on we were still not in our home, and we were two months off moving in and on our last progress payment (when Local Build went into liquidation),” Ms O’Neil said.

“He can go and open up a business one year on when there are still families like us one year on trying to get our home completed, it is just heartbreaking.”

Ms O’Neil said large projects to bring parts of the house up to code were yet to be completed, including the removal of flashing that was installed upside down.

The company Local Build had a number of unfinished housing projects on the Sunshine Coast when it collapsed owing $1.8m. Photo: Brett Wortman / Sunshine Coast Daily

In a report published in October last year, Mr Nogueira stated Mr Philip’s Local Build had collapsed due to continued trading losses, non-payment of statutory liabilities and an increase in material and labour costs.

According to Mr Nogueira’s report, clients of Local Build had their homes completed by the QBCC due to the company’s collapse.

“I have written to the customers notifying them of my appointment and confirmed the company is unable to complete the construction of their properties, and to contact the QBCC for further assistance,” Mr Nogueira said.

“These customers have since terminated their contacts and are dealing with the QBCC directly regarding completion of the same.”

Mr Nogueira said the liquidation uncovered approximately $1.8m in debts owed by the company, which he believed became insolvent in late 2022.

As a result of the liquidation, Mr Philip was excluded from holding a builders licence with the QBCC until 2026.

However, business records available on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show Mr Philip has since established a second construction company, Caloundra Renovations, which was registered in May 2024.

A QBCC spokeswoman said Caloundra Renovations did not hold a QBCC license but was a listed business name.

“Another search of the QBCC public licence register shows that the licence number which appears on the Caloundra Renovations website, belongs to an individual, Mr Steven Booshand, who holds licences in the class of – site supervisor Builder – low Rise and trade contractor for Carpentry and Sheds, Carports and Garages,” she said.

“Individual licence holders may enter into contracts, in their own name, to carry out building work within the scope of their licence.”

Caloundra Renovations has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Local Build director, Paul Philip, registers new renovation business in Caloundra