Shane Lynch, owner of failed Adelaide Exposed Concrete, was previously fined for unlicensed operation

The owner of a failed concrete firm that owes $1.7m has been stung in the past for operating while unlicensed, it has been revealed.

Shane Lynch, the owner of a failed concreting company that collapsed with debts of more than $1.5m, has been stung in the past for operating while unlicensed, it has been revealed.

Mr Lynch’s company, Adelaide Exposed Concrete, went into liquidation on May 7, leaving about $1.7m debt in its wake and more than 100 creditors without driveways, retaining walls and landscaping.

Concreter Shane Lynch, owner of failed company Adelaide Exposed Concrete. Picture: Supplied

But this wasn’t the first time Mr Lynch, or his company, has owed money to furious customers – he was forced to pay a fine and compensation in 2012 for working as an unlicensed builder.

Between 2009 and 2010 Mr Lynch, trading under the name Extensive Paving and Concreting, was contracted to excavate, pave and landscape for two customers, but failed to complete any work.

Prosecuted by Consumer and Business Services, the business owner pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to one count of carrying on business as a building work contractor while unlicensed, and two counts of advertising himself as a building work contractor while unlicensed.

Concreter Shane Lynch, owner of failed company Adelaide Exposed Concrete. Picture: Supplied

Mr Lynch was slapped with a $6000 fine for the unlicensed operations, and was forced to pay the clients a combined compensation of $2500.

Paul White, who was the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs at the time, said Mr Lynch had been putting his advertisements in local newspapers.

“This outcome should send a warning to builders to abide by the law or face prosecution and conviction, not to mention significant compensation payments, fines and industry bans,” Mr White said.

Mr Lynch was granted a building licence in June 2018, trading as Adelaide Exposed Concrete, but was issued a commissioner imposed cancellation on June 4.

While Mr Lynch was forced to pay compensation following his 2012 conviction, customers of Adelaide Exposed Concrete won’t be as lucky, many concerned they wouldn’t see a cent.

Dave Treasure at his Mount Barker home where he has lost nearly $50,000 after hiring failed concrete firm Adelaide Exposed Concrete to work. Picture Mark Brake

Kellie and Daniel Barratt, and Kellie’s daughter Amelia at their Onkaparinga Hills home without a driveway after hiring AEC. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Dave Treasure hired the concreter in December to build a retaining wall and lay a driveway at his under-construction Mount Barker home before winter.

After digging five holes at the Adelaide Hills property Mr Lynch never returned, but by that point Mr Treasure had already paid $50,000.

The knowledge and “expertise” of Mr Lynch “clicked in and sounded very thorough,” Mr Treasure said.

“There were certain things along the way, saying ‘we can’t do this week because we’ve got to reinforce the I-beams because the soil is quite soft,’ all this stuff.

“I don’t know anything about this sort of thing, so I’ve put my life in someone else’s hands.”

A young family in the Onkaparinga Hills also fell victim to Adelaide Exposed Concrete’s collapse, Kellie and Daniel Barratt left out of pocket $25,000.

Mr Lynch, through the liquidator, has declined to comment.

Originally published as Shane Lynch, owner of failed Adelaide Exposed Concrete, was previously fined for unlicensed operation