Sydney couple swindled by $24,000 Scott Barnes, proprietor of SB Remodelling

A young Sydney family are tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket after a dodgy tradie took almost $24,000 and completed “zero work” in return.

Despite taking $23,945 from the Marchant family after an initial inspection and quote in early June, Scott Barnes — proprietor of SB Remodelling — never again set foot on their property to complete the work.

The family claims Barnes indicated he could start immediately, and they hoped he would swiftly fix their weather-damaged roof, which would constantly leak during the downpours of 2022.

Instead, he led the young mum and dad on for months.

“Basically, he asked us for a deposit to start the work, then never came to do it. He kept leading us on,” Hugh, 33, told news.com.au.

“We have been trying to get over $22,000 back ever since.”

Hugh, his wife, and their little nine-month-old are grappling with an inner-west Sydney mortgage, rising interest rates, the increasing cost of living and a home in desperate need of repairs – despite having already lost almost $24,000 on the latter.

“Our mortgage has probably doubled. The rates have doubled since we first bought our house just before the pandemic,” Hugh said.

It was to be the first major project the pair had embarked on.

“It’s the biggest thing that we’ve ever tried to get done, and we obviously weren’t as aware as we should have been,” he said.

“I think our guard was down because a friend who recommended him was a builder and had worked with (Barnes), and we trusted them, and we thought that was unlikely that a recommendation from a friend was going to go badly.”

Friends of the Marchants have since started a Gofundme in hopes of recouping some of the family’s losses.

Four months and $24,000 with no work done

A series of text messages over the four months reveals how persuasive Barnes was to the Marchant family.

Barnes, who was referred to them by friends, demanded a total of $35,696 for the fix in total.

On June 4, an invoice from Barnes demanded $14,135 be paid immediately as a 50 per cent deposit.

On June 7, he invoiced an additional $2,117.50 as a 50 per cent deposit for extra work. That day he requested yet another 25 per cent deposit for remaining costs, which totalled $7,693.13.

After questioning the additional deposits, the Marchants settled the invoices three days later.

What followed was a four-month-long game of cat-and-mouse via text.

Hugh and his wife constantly messaged Barnes for a start date as the wet 2022 weather deteriorated their already water-damaged roof, and their frustration grew.

After constantly ignoring their messages, the pair requested a start date or refund of 75 per deposit – that too was ignored.

One September exchange highlighted the couple’s frustration as Barnes repeatedly refused to answer his phone to Hugh and his wife.

“No replying to my messages or answering my calls is also giving me no faith you will follow through on your word,” Hugh texted to Barnes.

“Mate, I’m in a site meeting call u soon,” he responded.

“You never called me Scott,” Hugh texted the next day.

No answer.

“Scott if we don’t see any action today or tomorrow, we are done mate,” he followed up the day after that.

In November, fed up with the elusive tradesman, they contacted Fair Trading.

Fair Trading confirmed all fears

On November 11, a call to NSW Fair Trading confirmed the family’s fears.

Despite having a registered business, they were told Barnes had been trading without relevant building licences and had also been requesting more than was allowed for a deposit.

Fair Trading confirmed to news.com.au that Barnes was unlicensed and violating its rules and was now the subject of further investigation.

“NSW Fair Trading records show SB Remodelling does not hold a home building licence, nor has it ever held a licence. NSW Fair Trading is investigating this trader,” a spokesperson said.

“In addition, consumers should be aware the Home Building Act prohibits a trader from seeking more than 10 per cent of the contract price before starting residential building work.”

After that discovery, the Marchant family sought to claw back the missing thousands through the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Orders for Barnes to cough up fail

Less than a month after receiving their notice of hearing from NCAT, the tribunal ordered SB Remodelling pty ltd immediately pay back the family $23,945.63.

The Marchants have so far recovered around $2,500 through 10 to 15 orders that allow them to recover the judgment debt from the other party’s bank account – should the money be there.

The family has also made unsuccessful attempts at a property writ, which allows the NSW sheriff to seize and sell property owned by a debtor to pay the debt owed.

Hugh described the majority of the process as “much harder being the one trying to get the money back than it is being the one on the run”.

“If you’re trying to get money back, it’s very difficult in NSW,” he continued.

Barnes has been summoned to the Local Court of NSW to determine if he has any other property or means to pay off the NCAT judgment.

He is the subject of an examination order to produce financial documents, including balance sheets and income tax returns, bank and investment account statements, vehicle, boat, and property ownership documents and income verification.

“You are ordered to attend court to be examined as to whether any and, if so, what debts are owing to the judgment debtor and whether the judgment debtor has any and, if so, what other property or other means of satisfying the judgment,” the order read.

New homeowners take note

Hugh warned other new homeowners about navigating significant work around the home.

“You can’t just rely on a recommendation from a friend or family,” he said.

“You definitely want to see if they have a licence. You want to make sure that there’s a contract.”

“Be aware of red flags, like if they ask you for big deposits.

“The thing with Scott was he led us on over a long period of time with excuses and things, and we continued to think that he would do the job.

“Don’t hand over your money to anybody. Unless you’re 100 per cent certain they’re legit.”

NSW Fair Trading echoed that advice and said consumers could do so online or by contacting them directly online or by phone.

“A licence is required for all specialist building work such as electrical, plumbing and airconditioning regardless of the cost,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“A licence is required for all other residential work valued at more than $5,000.

“Consumers are strongly advised to check the credentials of builders and other tradespeople before engaging a contractor.”

More Coverage

News.com.au has contacted Barnes regarding when the Marchants will be paid, and if his operations continue.

SB Remodelling remains registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

Share your story – jack.evans@news.com.au

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7zZqroqeelrlwr86uqa2rXaGuuHvOp2StoJViv7a6jJymsJqfrnqzu86fnKtllKeuqrrSZrCorZ6ceqetzKKjsmWfm3pzgMpopZ6vo2LAtbvRsmZtcJaagHWuwZycnWpkbYSmfI9tm3Cbk5l%2Bp6%2BVnWhynQ%3D%3D