Bankrupt: Prominent builder goes under

Customers who signed up for their dream homes to be built have been plunged into a nightmare after a major building franchisee collapsed, leaving behind a trail of unfinished homes and disgruntled customers.

The Hobart franchise operated by LV Built, attached to the major national construction company G.J. Gardner Homes, promised “peace of mind” and a high standard of workmanship to its customers. However, issues with the speed of builds, cashflow problems, work stoppages, defects, and allegations of approved plans not being followed soon emerged.

The situation escalated to the point where the franchisee entered into liquidation this week, leaving customers in limbo. Trent Gardner, CEO of G.J. Gardner Homes, confirmed the closure of the franchise and expressed regret for the situation.

Customers shared their experiences with the company, detailing issues such as incomplete work, structural defects, and unfinished homes. Some homes needed remediation, and contractors alleged they were owed money.

G.J. Gardner Homes has stated that they are working with the appointed liquidator to assess the situation and support impacted customers. The company has also pledged to help customers source alternative local builders to finish the homes under construction.

The collapse of the Hobart franchise is not an isolated incident, as two other G.J. Gardner franchises collapsed last year. The company cited “difficult trading conditions” as a reason for the slow response to the issues faced by the franchisee.

Despite the challenges faced by customers, G.J. Gardner Homes emphasized that the closure of the Hobart franchise does not reflect the broader network of nearly 100 local builders successfully building homes across Australia.