• Poor oversight and defects at homes in Two Rocks and Mindarie
• Building Services Board finds the company breached building registration laws
• Petra Dwelling is no longer a registered building contractor

Lack of management and supervision of construction projects in Two Rocks and Mindarie has led to a $5,000 fine for a former registered building company.

The Building Services Board found that Petra Dwelling Pty Ltd (BC12771, expired) did not comply with WA’s building registration laws during 2017 and 2018.

The Board was told that Petra Dwelling carried out building work on a single-storey home in Two Rocks without a compulsory nominated supervisor in place.

A Building and Energy site inspection also revealed that some work at the partially built house did not meet the required building standards, with particular concern that the galvanised straps holding down the roof could be prone to corrosion and failure.

The Two Rocks home owners terminated their contract with Petra Dwelling in early 2018.

The Board also found that Petra Dwelling failed to ensure proper management and supervision during the construction of a three-storey house in Mindarie, where some work did not comply with approved plans and building standards.

Building and Energy’s inspection identified serious defects including slab footings poured at an incorrect depth, connection issues with roof frame components, incorrectly installed roof beams and non-compliant galvanised roof straps and rods.

The inspection also found the theatre room had been bricked up instead of having windows, while unauthorised stairs had been built next to the garage. An internal staircase was made of concrete rather than timber as stipulated in the approved plans.

Petra Dwelling’s registration as a building contractor expired in October 2020.

Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan said the significant compliance issues at both homes showed the importance of close supervision of building projects.

“Registered building contractors are required by law to have a nominated supervisor for their work and this person should actively and diligently carry out their responsibilities,” Mr Abdoolakhan said.

“Building industry participants must understand and adhere to the approved plans and applicable standards at every stage of a build.”

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Media contact: BEmedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au

Note: A BC number refers to registration as a building contractor. The registers of building service providers are available at commerce.wa.gov.au/buildersearch