- $1 million in payments allegedly taken by house relocator for incomplete work
- Nine consumers report homes left incomplete or not supplied
- Consumers urged to avoid the sole trader using multiple business names
Consumer Protection is warning Western Australians against engaging a house relocation trader who has allegedly taken more than $1 million in payments from consumers and failed to deliver the contracted services.
James Sinclair Thomson, trading as Perth House Relocators or JT Projects or JST Projects Australasia, of Cervantes, is the subject of nine separate complaints alleging he accepted substantial payments for the purchase, transport and reassembly of transportable homes but failed to complete the work, leaving consumers out of pocket and in some cases with dwellings delivered in pieces, unassembled, exposed to the weather or never delivered at all.
Other business names associated with Mr Thomson include 1800 Houses, Perth Oversize Relocators, Buildtech Marine and Civil, Disaster Mitigation, and Perth Skip Bins.
Consumers from multiple regional parts of WA – including the South West, Wheatbelt and Great Southern – report paying between $23,000 and more than $226,000 each for projects that stalled at various stages.
Allegations include a house being demolished during attempted transport, dwellings delivered in pieces and left exposed to the weather for months, invoices issued for materials that never arrived, and consumers being told a home was secured when the trader did not own or have the right to sell it. Several complainants say they were repeatedly given excuses and shifting deadlines, before Mr Thomson became uncontactable, refused refunds or demanded further payments.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said the allegations were deeply concerning.
“We have received multiple detailed complaints alleging that Mr Thomson accepted very large sums of money but failed to deliver the homes or complete the work he promised, leaving consumers financially and emotionally distressed,” Ms Blake said.
“In several cases, homes were delivered but left unassembled or uninhabitable, while in others no home was delivered at all despite invoices being paid in full.”
Ms Blake urged the community to exercise caution and avoid engaging Mr Thomson, or any of the businesses he trades under, for house relocation services.
“Given the scale of the alleged losses – more than a million dollars across nine consumers – and the recurring issues reported, it is important that Western Australians are alerted to the risks of dealing with this trader,” the Commissioner said.
When hiring tradespeople, consumers are encouraged to check independent business reviews and to avoid paying large deposits or paying in-full upfront. For larger home building work projects, progress payments tied to completed work phases and material supply are recommended, and are required by law if the total cost exceeds $7,500. In those cases, the maximum deposit a builder can request before work begins is 6.5 per cent.
Consumers who believe they have been affected by Mr Thomson’s conduct are urged to lodge a complaint on the Consumer Protection website. Enquiries can be made by calling 1300 30 40 54 or emailing consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Media Contact: cpmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au