‘Gone cold’: Website wiped, calls unanswered two days after Multi-Res Builders enters liquidation

A family-owned Tasmanian building company behind multimillion-dollar projects has gone into liquidation – leaving contractors high and dry and allegedly owed tens of thousands of dollars. LATEST >

A photograph that had been displayed on the now wiped Multi-Res Builders website. Third from left: Mr Colin Barratt.

A family-owned Tasmanian building company behind multimillion-dollar projects has gone into liquidation – leaving contractors high and dry and allegedly owed tens of thousands of dollars.

A notice published on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission stated David Levi had been appointed as liquidator for Multi-Res Builders Pty Ltd – headed by director Colin Barratt, 62 – on Sunday, May 14.

“Notice is given that at a general meeting of the members of the company held on 14 May 2023, it was resolved that the company be wound up …,” the notice read.

The announcement of the liquidation comes just more than a month after the company directed by Mr Barratt’s son, Matthew Barratt, All Brick & Block (Tas) Pty Ltd, entered external administration.

The Mercury last week reported that according to ASIC reports, All Brick & Block (TAS) – the company behind construction firm All Brick Tasmania – had debts totalling a minimum of $2,072,617.48.

Matt Barratt (left) with father, Colin Barratt.

CEO of Sydney-based plumbing and drainage company Limcora Pty Ltd, Evan Graham, claimed they were still owed almost $100k from jobs completed for Multi-Res by staff based out of their Kingston office.

Their involvement included about $45k of works on a number of townhouses at Nagle Pl, Glenorchy – and about $90k for a residential and commercial development on Boyer Rd.

Mr Graham estimated the project at Nagle Pl to be in the value of “in excess of $7 to $10m”, and cited similar estimates for the Boyer Rd project.

He said despite planning to meet with Mr Barratt in late May, their phone calls were now no longer being returned, and if it weren’t for a notification from Creditor Watch, he would not have known the company was in liquidation.

“Now we can’t get in contact at all, it’s gone cold,” Mr Graham said.

The Multi-Res website, which was active on Tuesday morning, was stripped of its content by 2pm.

“Our repeat clientele is testimony of our thoughtful process and unforgettable reliability,” a section of the site had read.

The company’s Facebook profile was unavailable to view, as was their Instagram account, which had been made private.

The company’s LinkedIn page states Multi-Res built “specifically designed homes and multi-residential developments”.

“Our qualified team of designers and consultants will make the perfect dream home reality,” it states.

The website had shown a list of projects which included nine two-bedroom units on Carnegie St, Claremont, 12 three-bedroom town houses on Boyer Rd, Bridgewater, and a series of units on Hackett St, New Norfolk.

Some of the projects listed on the Multi-Res Builders website before the content was wiped on Tuesday, May 16 - two days after it went into liquidation.

Colin Barratt, director of Multi-Res Builders Pty Ltd.

The Mercury left messages for Mr Barratt, Matt Barratt, and Multi-Res operations manager Tom Barratt, and spoke with a company secretary at their Collins St, Hobart address – however no calls were returned.

According to data obtained from Creditor Watch, Mr Barratt maintains current holdings and other roles at eight other companies which include: Barratt Joinery Pty Ltd, Boyer Road Pty Ltd, Barratt SMSF Pty Ltd, Droughty Point Road Pty Ltd, Gill & Barratt Developments Pty Ltd, 2 Hackett Street Pty Ltd, Barratt Masonry Pty Ltd, and 31 OBrien Street Pty Ltd.

It states Mr Barratt also had three previous holdings, including in All Brick & Block (TAS) Pty Ltd, and All Brick Brick Laying Pty Ltd.

ABN data also links business KAM Joinery to Barratt Joinery Pty Ltd as the holder.

It also showed two payment defaults had been submitted to Multi-Res – one by a Hobart demolition company to the amount of $51,015.02, and construction solutions company to the amount of $87,861.90.

The second payment default was submitted on April 6 this year.

Speaking to the Mercury, Mr Levi said an investigation into the company had begun.

“An investigation has immediately commenced to obtain understanding of the business, including consideration of the future, in relation to incomplete residential housing, the situation on employees, contractors and creditors, and the determination of options,” Mr Levi said.

“There are many homeowners, creditors and contractors … I anticipate it will take a few days to ascertain (details).”