A Caboolture couple has criticised the state’s building regulator after their parents’ $300,000 granny flat project was left with dozens of defects and no regulatory pathway to rectification available through the QBCC.
Major Construction Defects Uncovered in Caboolture
Emily Moore and her husband Ian Moore raised concerns after a granny flat built in their Caboolture backyard for Emily’s parents was found to contain 28 construction defects. The project, contracted to Leverage Projects in February 2021, also included demolition of a shed to create additional space.
By 2023, the work had ceased. A Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) report from April 2024 confirmed the number of defects but stated that no rectification direction could be issued, as the builder’s company had entered voluntary liquidation.
The builder’s personal and company licences were later cancelled and excluded for three years following the liquidator’s appointment.
Health and Financial Fallout for Affected Family
The granny flat, which cost nearly $300,000, was intended to accommodate Moore’s parents, Tony and Deb Jurott, during retirement. The family now claims the residence is substandard and the stress has negatively affected their health.
The builder, Craig Jack, could not be reached. The family also said they filed a formal complaint with the QBCC over its handling of the case, alleging a lack of understanding and poor communication.
Previous Case in Burpengary East Echoes Similar Concerns
In a separate matter months earlier, a Burpengary East couple reported delays and alleged neglect in their home extension project. Michelle Holmes and David McInnes had paid $97,000 under a fixed-price $164,000 contract with Tilson & Sons Building & Construction for a 6-by-9 metre extension, originally due by Christmas 2023.
Holmes, a veteran, said she used part of her disability payout for the project. She alleged the QBCC was unresponsive and dismissed her concerns, advising her to seek legal assistance after she filed complaints.
The QBCC later confirmed Tilson & Sons still held a low-rise builder licence and had received one direction to rectify work in 2024, which resulted in a fine and demerit points.
QBCC Dispute Handling Under Ongoing Scrutiny
Both incidents have reignited discussion around the role and performance of the QBCC in handling building work complaints. The Commission is responsible for overseeing licensing, enforcing standards, and administering the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.
Disputes involving defective or incomplete work are generally eligible for investigation or referral to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT). However, the regulator has stated it cannot intervene when builders become insolvent, as in the Caboolture case.
The QBCC said it operates under confidentiality obligations and could not provide individual case details but acknowledged the need to improve customer focus. A new CEO and Commissioner are currently overseeing internal reforms aimed at rebuilding trust and reducing regulatory friction.
Unresolved Outcomes and Consumer Challenges
Both households remain without full resolution. The Moores were told they could pursue the matter through QCAT, while Holmes has engaged a building compliance lawyer. Their experiences underscore growing community frustration with current dispute-handling mechanisms, particularly in cases involving financial loss and physical or mental health strain.
Published 1-Aug-2025
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