Painter sees red over Coral Coast Homes

NIKENBAH painter Ray King knows he's one of the lucky ones but that has not put him off the scent.

He still wants to track down the elusive John Biles, director of troubled building company Coral Coast Homes.

A warrant has been issued for Mr Biles' arrest after he failed to attend an enforcement hearing at Bundaberg Court house to provide documentation on the company's financial matters.

Mr King, who feels fortunate to be owed only $1400 by Mr Biles, is not convinced by rumours Mr Biles is hiding out in Hervey Bay, believing Brisbane is more likely.

“I want to know where he is so he can be pinned down. I wanted to do a 'wanted' poster to put it on the internet but I don't have a photo of him.

“If I knew where he was, I could call the bailiffs and have him picked up in half an hour.”

Mr King realised Mr Biles was “not crash hot” when his Fraser Coast Painting business was contracted to work on a house in Bargara.

He contacted the BSA and took Mr Biles to adjudication.

“I got a partial cheque (for $6700) out of him about a week before they closed their doors.

“I was one of the first to pin him down. The BSA made a judgment and stood there and got him to cough it up.

“I'm luckier than some because I got a cheque before it got ugly.”

Coral Coast Homes went into liquidation at the beginning of the month, owing about $1 million to customers and tradespeople throughout the Wide Bay who may have little hope of recovering their cash. The receivers were to hold a meeting in Bundaberg yesterday.

Mr King hopes no one else will lose out financially as he has.

“My interest is that I want to make sure he doesn't start up another business.”

He has also heard rumours during the past week that three Hervey Bay builders are in financial trouble but does not know the identity of any of them.

“In this industry you look to do the job and usually have to fight to get paid. Now you've got to take a bit of a punt on who's got money and who has not.”

Coral Coast Homes collapses

DAVID Kapp still faces an uncertain future after it was confirmed yesterday that Coral Coast Homes has gone into administration.

“It's going to be an awful game of waiting,” former customer Mr Kapp said.

“We don't know whether we can solve the problems with our house, and there's not much we can do about it.”

The company's problems first came to light last month, after a string of complaints about unfinished or substandard work, and unpaid tradespeople.

Last month, the Building Services Authority suspended the company's licence, amid speculation that the company was in financial strife.

The rumours were confirmed on Thursday when Brisbane-based SV Partners were appointed as external administrators - the same company dealt with the collapse of Bundaberg Master Homes in February.

Master Homes customers were left facing a struggle to get their homes finished after the builder went into liquidation, with many left to find new contractors to finish the work.

The Building Services Authority (BSA) is liaising with affected consumers of Coral Coast Homes to assess any entitlements they may have under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

“Six claims have been received by BSA since the suspension of the licence of Coral Coast Homes Pty Ltd,” BSA general manager Ian Jennings said.

“Anyone else affected by the suspension of the licence of Coral Coast Homes Pty Ltd should contact BSA on 1300 BSA BSA (1300 272 272).”

Customers of Steelsmart Homes, which was also headed by Coral Coast Homes director John Biles, may also be left out of pocket with at least three people claiming their kit homes have not been delivered.

SSM Products Pty Ltd, trading as Steelsmart Homes, is being wound up after complaints by creditors.

“To date, BSA has received two complaints about Steelsmart Homes Pty Ltd, but both complaints were in regard to the supply of a kit home,” Mr Jennings said.

He said Steelsmart Homes is a “supply only” company, and as such, is not regulated by the BSA.

SV Partners did not return telephone calls to the NewsMail yesterday, and Mr Biles could not be reached for comment.

There will be a meeting for tradespeople, customers and owner-builders who have had dealings with Coral Coast Homes and Steelsmart, at 7pm on June 11, upstairs at the Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre on Targo Street.