{"id":69506,"date":"2026-08-11T09:22:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T09:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/69506\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T09:22:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T09:22:07","slug":"perth-firm-buildsmart-wa-stripped-of-registration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/69506\/","title":{"rendered":"Perth firm Buildsmart WA stripped of registration"},"content":{"rendered":"

A boutique Australian homebuilder<\/a> with a dozen unfinished projects on its books has been stripped of its registration.<\/p>\n

The Building Services Board cited financial grounds for refusing to grant Buildsmart WA<\/a> a renewal in October, and the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) affirmed the decision during a review<\/a> heard between December and May.<\/p>\n

It means the Perth<\/a> construction firm can no longer carry out work that requires a building permit or is valued at more than $20,000.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBuildsmart WA could not demonstrate the capacity to meet its debts as and when they fall due,\u201d WA building commissioner Phil Payne said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe tribunal\u2019s decision, reached after hearing extensive financial and expert evidence, confirmed the boards\u2019 initial assessment and decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

The board\u2019s decision was based on analysis that found Buildsmart\u2019s net asset position was -$4779.74, that it was facing a cash flow deficit of more than $48,000 over the following year, it did not have access to an overdraft or loan facility, and there were \u201cindicators of potential insolvency\u201d including overdue taxes and cash-on-demand arrangements with suppliers.<\/p>\n

During the SAT hearing the board alleged the builder would incur cost overruns of at least $3.18 million to complete its program of unfinished projects.<\/p>\n

That varied significantly from the builder, which argued the amounts paid by clients would exceed construction costs by more than $540,000. <\/p>\n

In the end, the tribunal considered new estimates that found \u201con a rough calculation,\u00a0Buildsmart may have financial resources of approximately $400,370 to meet outgoings of approximately $1,051,196\u201d.<\/p>\n

Builder flags appeal<\/p>\n

Buildsmart WA said it was disappointed with the outcome and intends to pursue an appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur priority remains our clients and the successful progression of homes currently under construction,\u201d a company spokesperson told 7NEWS.com.au.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor 12 years, Buildsmart WA has proudly operated in Western Australia, navigating a number of challenging periods for the building industry and remaining committed to the clients and communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company said it had been in contact with clients and remains \u201ccommitted to keeping them informed and supported throughout the process\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuildsmart WA remains focused on its clients, its projects and the next steps in the appeal process,\u201d the company said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe remain passionate about delivering high quality homes for Western Australian families and look forward to continuing that work.\u201d<\/p>\n

What homeowners with incomplete or defective work should do<\/p>\n

Clients of Buildsmart WA, which is \u201cunderstood to have around a dozen building projects still in progress\u201d, have been urged to contact their home indemnity insurance provider to discuss claims and consider whether another firm can take on their projects.<\/p>\n

Payne said registration renewal is never a routine \u201crubber stamp\u201d exercise.<\/p>\n

\u201cFinancial requirements protect consumers and bolster confidence in WA\u2019s building and construction industry,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis outcome should remind every WA registered builder that financial requirements will be applied rigorously at renewal.<\/p>\n

\u201cBuilders must be able to demonstrate, with accurate, complete and timely financial information, that they have the means to complete their building contracts and pay their debts as and when they fall due.<\/p>\n

\u201cImportantly, the tribunal\u2019s decision confirms that the cost to complete unfinished projects is highly relevant in determining whether a building contractor meets the financial requirements for registration.\u201d <\/p>\n

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