The State’s consumer watchdog has prosecuted an unlicensed builder who carried out shoddy work.

Mark Beaumont was convicted in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court for carrying out work as a building contractor without a licence and not having the appropriate builder’s indemnity insurance.

Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio said the case was a blatant example of an unlicensed tradesman trying to take advantage of a consumer.

“Beaumont was engaged to carry out concreting and drainage work at a property in the Adelaide Hills,” Mr Soulio said.

“Beaumont quoted the work for an agreed price of $12,000, but after working at the property for several days, he demanded a further $2000, or the work wouldn’t be completed.

“When the homeowner refused to pay, Beaumont left the job incomplete.

“A portion of the concreting remained unfinished, the drainage work hadn’t been completed and there were footprints in the concrete and cracks in the pavers.

“When the homeowner asked Beaumont to remove his rubbish from the property, Beaumont demanded a further $350.

“The homeowner then commissioned in independent engineers report which found that the work was substandard, and that the paving had to be redone and the stormwater system had to be reinstated.

“Beaumont is the sort of unlicensed trader we want out of the industry, and we’re glad this conviction will send a clear message to any unlicensed operators out there” Mr Soulio said.

Beaumont was convicted on two counts and fined $3,500 plus the Victims of Crime levy.

In setting the penalty, the Magistrate took into account the fact that homeowner had also successfully sued Beaumont for civil damages in the Adelaide Magistrates Court.