Newly-engaged Adelaide couple lose $15,000 in driveway disaster originally slated for dream wedding

They’ve just got engaged, but this Adelaide couple say they are now facing the prospect of losing the money slated for their wedding.

Gian David with his partner, Rizelle Fontelar at home in Woodcroft, where they out of $15,000 out of pocket after Adelaide Exposed Concrete went bust. Picture: Matt Loxton

A newly-engaged Adelaide couple building their first home have described feeling “helpless” after losing nearly $15,000 to a concreting job gone wrong — money originally slated for their dream wedding.

Rizelle Fontelar, 24, and Gian David, 26, hired Shane Lynch, owner of Adelaide Exposed Concrete (AEC), in June last year to build a retaining wall, concrete their driveway, and lay side paving at their newly-built Woodcroft home.

It’s now nearing the end of May and the job “hasn’t been started”, mainly because AEC went into liquidation on May 7.

The couple reached out to Mr Lynch in June last year, hoping to have the concreting job finished by March this year for a quoted $15,000.

Gian David with his partner, Rizelle Fontelar at home in Woodcroft in their unfinished driveway. Picture: Matt Loxton

They paid a total of $14,639 to Mr Lynch before his company went under.

Ms Fontelar said the couple hoped to get married later this year but have been forced to divert an additional $15,000 to a different contractor to get their driveway project underway, money that was originally set aside for the wedding.

She said the couple were suspecting something was amiss after being met with consistent excuses from Mr Lynch as to why he couldn’t start the work before finding out AEC was placed into liquidation earlier this month.

“There are no words … my partner and I were crying all night when we found out because we feel helpless,” she said.

“From the personal side, we got engaged recently and that money was going to go towards our wedding.

“It’s been absolute radio silence (from Mr Lynch).

“I had a feeling the whole time that they would be liquidating, and here we are.”

The uncompleted work has left the couple out of pocket $15,000. Picture: Matt Loxton

Ms Fontelar and Mr David were one of 122 creditors that made claims after AEC went into liquidation, with the total owed by the company approximately $1.7m.

Many of the creditors were owed between $10,000-$30,000 — most of them individuals, couples or families looking to have concreting work done on their homes.

Online reviews for Adelaide Exposed Concrete were scathing about work promised by the company being incomplete and money not being refunded.

Gian David and Rizelle Fontelar’s unfinished driveway. Picture: Matt Loxton

Aaron Cotterill described AEC as “the worst business I have ever dealt with”.

“Dozens of delays, promises that were never upheld, in the end has taken my money and closed up shop,” he wrote.

Another reviewer named Kathy wrote the company “continue to lie about their ability to complete work”.

“Never contract Adelaide Exposed Concrete,” she wrote.

“You’ll be told lies multiple times and lose your money in the end. Not good enough.”

David Trim, who is the appointed liquidator from accounting company Hall Chadwick, said his team had fielded a number of queries from creditors already and encouraged any creditor who believed they had a claim to contact the Hall Chadwick Adelaide office.

The Advertiser attempted to make contact to Mr Lynch for comment.

Originally published as Newly-engaged Adelaide couple lose $15,000 in driveway disaster originally slated for dream wedding