Excessive deposits taken for building work

Date: 6 August 2009

The Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (OCBA) has recently investigated a number of builders who have taken excessive deposits from consumers.

The maximum deposit that can be taken for domestic building work (greater than $12,000 in value) is $1000. A builder can also ask for the costs of employing professionals for preliminary services, such as engineers, surveyors, designers and the like.