Consumers are advised not to do business with the Perth-based concrete company Antique Asset Pty Ltd, which trades as Antique Asset Concrete (AAC) with Sergio Demali as Sole Director and Company Secretary. society.

The warning from WA’s building industry regulator, Building and Energy, and Consumer Protection follows multiple customer complaints about the company as recently as January 2022.

Building and Energy received eight home construction contract complaints and six poor workmanship complaints from homeowners about CAA.

Four construction repair orders and one State Administrative Court order were issued, but the company did not comply with any of them.

Consumer Protection received 32 complaints from people who hired AAFC for residential concreting projects. Most complaints concern the lack of work despite the payment of deposits of up to 50%. Consumer protection attempted to reconcile the complaints, but the AAC did not respond to the majority of the complaints raised.

Building and Energy liaised with business research websites to exclude AAC ads, although the company still appears to advertise independently.

Building and Energy Executive Director Saj Abdoolakhan has urged owners to avoid CAA and hire a reputable service provider instead.

“The volume and nature of complaints related to this company should be a wake-up call for consumers,” Abdoolakhan said.

“While our investigations are continuing, it is essential that we shine the spotlight on this business now to warn people of the alleged conduct.

“Homeowners should also avoid paying large down payments for projects. By law, a contract to build houses with a fixed price between $7,500 and $500,000 cannot include a deposit of more than 6.5% of the total cost, before work begins.

Executive Director of Consumer Protection Trish Blake is also very concerned about the conduct of this merchant.

“Until consumer complaints are resolved and we are satisfied that the behavior of Mr. Demali and his concrete company is improving, we urge consumers not to engage with Antique Asset Concrete and to consider other options,” Ms Blake said.

“Under Australian consumer law it is illegal to take a deposit for agreed work and not start or complete that work within a reasonable time.

“When engaging traders, consumers should agree on a timeframe and preferably get it in writing with a detailed quote. Do not pay large installments and never pay the full amount until the work is complete.