A single mother in Western Australia’s remote north faces over $10,000 in losses after a local builder delivered defective renovations on her Derby home. The State Administrative Tribunal ruled the work substandard and ordered repayment, yet the homeowner reports no funds received two years on.
Renovations Turn Sour
In 2023, Sam Hall, a separated mother raising a teenage son, invested more than $13,000 with Derby builder Stephen Keenan of Keenan Building and Maintenance to update her aging laundry and spare bathroom. The old-style setup needed new tiling, cabinetry, and shower repairs.
Initial impressions seemed positive, but defects emerged quickly. “Within four to six weeks, the grout was giving way,” Ms Hall explained. “I rang him, and he said he’d fix it, but he never did anything.”
Drainage failed, leading to a persistent foul odor from the shower. By December, the stench became unbearable. Ms Hall’s builder friend inspected, revealing mushy gyprock beneath tiles—clearly improper waterproofing and substrate.
Tribunal Finds Work Defective
After complaints to the building commissioner uncovered multiple flaws like faulty grouting and non-compliant materials, the case reached the State Administrative Tribunal. Keenan offered no counter-evidence.
The tribunal ruled: “We conclude the respondent failed to carry out the building service in a proper and proficient manner and the same is faulty and unsatisfactory.” It mandated $9,970 repayment by January 10, 2025, plus $1.64 daily interest.
Payment Battle Continues
Keenan skipped the hearing, and Ms Hall reports zero contact or payment since. A magistrates’ court affirmed the debt in his absence, but serving papers proved impossible. In November 2025, the court greenlit an arrest warrant upon filing, though none issues yet due to his untraceable whereabouts.
Heavy Personal Impact
Without a working shower, Ms Hall and her son relied on a backyard hose before vacating. The house stands empty amid a regional housing crisis, costing lost rental income. “It’s a shame because I can’t live here and I can’t rent the house out, so it’s been sitting here empty for nearly two years now,” she said. “I’ve lost a lot of income.”
Draining her savings derailed plans to relocate to Broome for her son’s schooling. “It’s really hard when you’re a separated mother on one income,” Ms Hall noted. “I had actually planned to move to Broome for my son’s education. I had a job lined up, had accommodation—so everything is stuffed up because of all this.”
Push for Industry Reform
WA Building and Energy logs 256 regional disputes since 2024, including 14 in the Kimberley. Master Builders WA CEO Matt Moran stresses professionalism amid housing shortages. “We need a strong industry, and it’s critical we have people who do the right thing, that look after consumers,” he stated. “It gives everyone a bad name. We don’t want dodgy builders in this industry.”
Moran advocates quality builders for regional growth: “The reality is there are issues in regional parts in WA. Ultimately, we need quality builders. We need to build more homes.”
