Dodgy kitchen installer nabbed in Sydney

July 11th, 2012

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An unlicensed kitchen installer has been ordered to pay fines and costs by Parramatta Local Court for demanding and receiving more than the maximum deposit allowed for residential work.

Hong Cheng Luo, a Canterbury man, was also found guilty of unlicensed contracting and unlicensed kitchen installation work. He has been ordered to pay $4,486.

Fair Trading was tipped off by a compliant from a consumer in Bexley for unsatisfactory kitchen work. An investigation discovered Cheng Luo’s company, Katus Development Group Pty Ltd, had never held a contractor licence.

“Hong Cheng Luo did not hold a kitchen installers licence, therefore he was not authorised to contract for, or carry out, kitchen installation building work,” acting NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Don Jones said.

Further investigation revealed that Cheng Lou demanded and received a deposit of 18.5 percent of the contract price from the consumer before work commenced. This is prohibited by the Home Building Act, which limits deposits at 10 per cent if the contract price of the work is worth $20,000 or less, or 5 per cent it the contract price is more than $20,000.

Hong Cheng Luo, who chose to have the matters determined by a court, has received two penalty infringement notices.

Fair Trading NSW has taken the opportunity to remind people only to deal with contractors licensed to carry out the work they are contracted for. 

To check the licence details of any builder or tradesperson, go to the Fair Trading website or call 13 32 20.