Roofer Fined $22.5K: Phillips & Co. Penalty
A roofing company and director have been fined $22,500 for operating without builder registration and accepting an excessive deposit, while also failing to carry out any work at a Floreat home.
A roofing company and director have been fined $22,500 for operating without builder registration and accepting an excessive deposit, while also failing to carry out any work at a Floreat home.
Following prosecution by Building and Energy, Carl Phillips, the sole director of Kelmscott-based Phillips Roof & Gutter Solutions Pty Ltd, entered written guilty pleas to two offences under WA’s building laws.
Perth Magistrates Court was told the homeowner engaged Phillips Roof & Gutter Solutions in August 2022 to replace the existing tile roof with corrugated steel sheeting.
The work was valued at $27,445 and required a building permit, meaning by law it must be carried out by a registered building contractor. Mr Phillips and his company have never held this registration.
The business also sought a $6,861.25 deposit – almost four times the 6.5 per cent maximum allowed before home building work valued at more than $7,500 begins. The court was told the homeowner paid the deposit, but no work was carried out.
It is understood separate court proceedings are in progress regarding the deposit.
At sentencing on 11 July 2025, Phillips Roof & Gutter Solutions was fined $17,500 and ordered to pay costs of $647.15. Mr Phillips was fined $5,000.
Magistrate Joe Randazzo acknowledged their early guilty pleas and otherwise good character, while emphasising the need for deterrence because the laws protected consumers and fines should “not be seen as the cost of doing business”.
Building Commissioner Peter Stewart advised homeowners to avoid large deposits and check their building service provider’s registration online or through the ServiceWA app .
“Registration is required for building work valued at more than $20,000 and requiring a building permit,” Mr Stewart said.
“This aims to ensure service providers have the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience. Similarly, the 6.5 per cent deposit limit protects consumers by minimising their potential financial losses if the work is defective or incomplete, as in this case.”
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/slippery-slope-roofer-fined-22500-carl-phillips-and-phillips-roof-gutter-solutions-pty-ltd