A Burpengary couple say they’ve been left living in a half-finished home and are still waiting for help, after sinking nearly $100,000 into a house extension they claim has gone wrong in nearly every way.
A Promised Renovation Turns Into Ongoing Stress
The Burpengary East couple planned a $164,000 home extension to create an open-plan kitchen, lounge, dining area, media room and carport. Michelle Holmes, a defence veteran, used her disability payout to help fund the build, and they paid the builder $97,000 early on.
They later found out the project had started without the required building approvals. Work stalled in August 2024, and since then, little to no progress has been made.
The couple have had to live in the unfinished home throughout, at one point without a complete roof. Holmes said the ongoing stress has worsened her anxiety, while McInnes has faced blood pressure issues.
Builder Says He’s Trying, But Progress Stalled
Builder Declan Tilson said he still plans to finish the Burpengary job, despite setbacks and delays. He acknowledged issues during the build but said some projects take longer than expected.
Records show Tilson & Sons holds a current low-rise builder’s licence. In 2024, the QBCC fined the company $3226 and issued four demerit points after it failed to follow a direction to fix work on another job.
Homeowners Left Waiting for Regulator Support
Michelle Holmes contacted Queensland Housing Minister Sam O’Connor, lodged complaints with the QBCC, and began a case through QCAT. She also hired a building compliance lawyer but says the QBCC offered little support.
Holmes claims the agency was unresponsive for months and later told her to terminate the contract before they could act. The QBCC said it could not comment on individual cases but confirmed it has powers to issue fines, notices and take legal action when necessary.
A Local Story With Wider Impact
What started as a hopeful home upgrade has become a costly and stressful ordeal for the Burpengary East couple. Their experience echoes concerns from other Queensland homeowners about limited support when building projects fail.
While the builder says the job will be finished and the QBCC claims to have systems in place, Holmes and McInnes remain stuck. With most of their money spent and the home unfinished, they are still waiting for a resolution.
Published 3-June-2025
Featured Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purposes Only
