Some time ago I had a call from a distressed tradie, a renderer who was not paid by the builder.

The amount approached 10 K and was not paid for a few months and a real headache for the small contractor who has a family to support.

The builder did not have a real reason not to pay, work was done and there were no complaints, the builder just did not pay.

I did my research and found out that the builder was previously investigated by Building Practitioners Board for unprofessional conduct and was fined and reprimanded.

I then wrote a report recommending official complaint to BPB with a request that the builder be de registered on the grounds that he was not a person of good character.

I offered to testify that any builder who was previously found guilty of unprofessional conduct and now engages in dishonesty in business dealings by failing to pay accounts as they fall due is a person of ill repute. Such person would fail a good character test and would have to become disqualified.

My client was paid within three days of the builder receiving my report