Brisbane couple loses $8,000 to an unlicensed tradie who is now in jail
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With a newborn baby at home and a mounting list of renovations, hiring a handyman online seemed like a simple choice for Leanne James.
Of course, if she had known what was going to happen next, it was one she would never have made.
Almost a year on, she and her husband are now $8,000 out-of-pocket, their renovations are incomplete, and the carpenter they hired is in prison after pleading guilty to unrelated fraud charges.
The saga has left the couple mired in attempts to get their money back, prompting a warning to would-be renovators.
Inside the couple's suburban Brisbane home, the evidence of 39-year-old Ryan David Walker's unfinished work is obvious.
Some of the skirting boards have been installed so poorly doors can't open and close.
Walker also left random holes drilled in the stairs, a half-completed cupboard, and a demolished wardrobe that was never rebuilt.
"You feel so hopeless, you know, we spent nearly eight grand [and] it was simple tasks,"
Ms James said.
Ms James first visited the online platform Airtasker around September last year in search of someone who could build a hidden cupboard under the couple’s stairs.
Most of the carpentry companies they had tried had turned down the work because it was too small.
So, when Walker responded to their request with a plan they liked and quickly got to work, they were impressed with his professionalism.
One job led to another and before long, the couple agreed to pay a deposit just shy of $8,000 for hanging some doors and building some wardrobes.
They claim it was almost immediately after Walker received those funds that he essentially disappeared, leaving a trail of unfinished work in his wake.
"It's been incredibly frustrating with small children to have a house that's half pulled apart," Mr Jones said.
"We keep finding nails everywhere."
When she first spoke to them, she claims an officer told her Walker was a "known pest".
Later, she made a formal report about him having taken their money without completing the work.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed they received Ms James's report of fraud and are currently investigating.
Photo shows Homes on a block in various stages of construction in a new suburban area.
The QBCC wouldn't confirm how many complaints it had received against Walker when contacted by the ABC.
For now, the couple say they've been told by QBCC they aren't covered by a home warranty scheme, because they never received any documentation with a licence number on it or a "valid" contract.
While they wait for a final response from QBCC, they've been told not to touch the unfinished work at their home.
In the meantime, Ms James has also reported Walker to the Office of Fair Trading and is exploring legal options.
The OFT wouldn't comment on whether it had received any complaints in relation to Walker.
He pleaded guilty to four separate fraud charges in the Brisbane District Court last month, admitting to having used a sub-contractor's licence number to forge a contract, and subsequently accepting more than $100,000 in payments for work he wasn't completing.
Walker told the court a gambling addiction had led to his offending, and that he was concerned a jail term would delay his ability to pay his victims back.
He also told Judge Michael Burnett he had been "gainfully employed" while court proceedings had been ongoing.
His four-year jail term, imposed on June 20, will be suspended after six months.
While Master Builders Queensland CEO Paul Bidwell says stories like this are relatively rare, he acknowledged it isn’t unusual to see unlicensed contractors "coming out of the woodwork", particularly after natural disasters and offering smaller repairs.
Mr Bidwell is concerned these operators are doing damage to the industry's reputation and making it difficult for people to trust tradies.
"The reality is, when push comes to shove, that people will be convinced to take an easy option," he said.
"If it sounds too good to be true, then it is too good to be true."
Mr Bidwell described it as one of the most "robust" in the country, which "in theory" means no-one should be performing building work without a licence.
But he said the onus is on would-be renovators to check the licences of tradespeople.
"Don't take anything at face value,"
he said.
"Have a look at their record through the QBCC ... they can see whether the carpenter has had any directions.
"There's nothing like getting references from people you know to make sure that the contractor can deliver what they say they can do."
A QBCC search of Ryan David Walker reveals he is unlicensed.
It also shows he has previously been disqualified and has had infringements issued for unlicensed contracting in the past.
The record also reveals he declared bankruptcy in 2024.
In a statement, a spokesperson said home owners should check the licensee register before engaging a tradesperson.
"In addition, having a written, dated and signed contract in place isn’t just smart, it’s an essential part of the process and can safeguard you if things go wrong," they said.
QBCC said people would generally be covered under their home warranty scheme if they enter into a contract with a licensed tradesperson, although each case is assessed individually.
As for Ms James and Mr Jones, they're planning on being a lot more wary in the future and will only use tradespeople who've been recommended by their family and friends.
"I do think there should be some more education on this," Ms James said.
The couple hope sharing their story will help others avoid falling into a similar trap.
Written by Lottie Twyford, ABC News.
Of course, if she had known what was going to happen next, it was one she would never have made.
Almost a year on, she and her husband are now $8,000 out-of-pocket, their renovations are incomplete, and the carpenter they hired is in prison after pleading guilty to unrelated fraud charges.
The saga has left the couple mired in attempts to get their money back, prompting a warning to would-be renovators.
Walker never came back to fix some of the work, including skirting boards which were incorrectly installed. (ABC News: Nickoles Coleman)
Inside the couple's suburban Brisbane home, the evidence of 39-year-old Ryan David Walker's unfinished work is obvious.
Some of the skirting boards have been installed so poorly doors can't open and close.
The work the couple paid for was never completed. (ABC News: Nickoles Coleman)
Walker also left random holes drilled in the stairs, a half-completed cupboard, and a demolished wardrobe that was never rebuilt.
"You feel so hopeless, you know, we spent nearly eight grand [and] it was simple tasks,"
Ms James said.
Saga begins with a cupboard
The couple found Walker on online platform Airtasker. (ABC: Bill Code)
Ms James first visited the online platform Airtasker around September last year in search of someone who could build a hidden cupboard under the couple’s stairs.
Most of the carpentry companies they had tried had turned down the work because it was too small.
So, when Walker responded to their request with a plan they liked and quickly got to work, they were impressed with his professionalism.
Ryan David Walker is unlicensed, according to QBCC. (Supplied: Linkedin)
One job led to another and before long, the couple agreed to pay a deposit just shy of $8,000 for hanging some doors and building some wardrobes.
They claim it was almost immediately after Walker received those funds that he essentially disappeared, leaving a trail of unfinished work in his wake.
"It's been incredibly frustrating with small children to have a house that's half pulled apart," Mr Jones said.
"We keep finding nails everywhere."
The wardrobe in the couple's child's bedroom was left in an unsafe condition. (Supplied: Leanne James)
Frustration sets in
Still hopeful that Walker would return to finish the job, Ms James contacted police to report that he had left some of his tools, including a circular saw, in their backyard,When she first spoke to them, she claims an officer told her Walker was a "known pest".
Ms James has been left feeling like no one can be trusted after the encounter. (ABC News: Nickoles Coleman)
Later, she made a formal report about him having taken their money without completing the work.
Queensland Police Service (QPS) confirmed they received Ms James's report of fraud and are currently investigating.
Photo shows Homes on a block in various stages of construction in a new suburban area.
She also went to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) to report what had happened and see what could be done.
The QBCC wouldn't confirm how many complaints it had received against Walker when contacted by the ABC.
For now, the couple say they've been told by QBCC they aren't covered by a home warranty scheme, because they never received any documentation with a licence number on it or a "valid" contract.
While they wait for a final response from QBCC, they've been told not to touch the unfinished work at their home.
QBCC wouldn't confirm confirm whether it had received complaints against Walker beyond what was publicly available. (ABC News: Alkira Reinfrank)
In the meantime, Ms James has also reported Walker to the Office of Fair Trading and is exploring legal options.
The OFT wouldn't comment on whether it had received any complaints in relation to Walker.
Walker was sentenced to jail for fraud in the Brisbane District Court last month. (ABC News: Julie Hornsey)
Jail term imposed
Complicating their attempts to get their money back is the fact that Walker is currently behind bars – something the couple only discovered while searching online for avenues for recourse.He pleaded guilty to four separate fraud charges in the Brisbane District Court last month, admitting to having used a sub-contractor's licence number to forge a contract, and subsequently accepting more than $100,000 in payments for work he wasn't completing.
Walker laid the blame for his offending with his gambling addiction in the Brisbane District Court last month. (Getty Images: scyther5)
Walker told the court a gambling addiction had led to his offending, and that he was concerned a jail term would delay his ability to pay his victims back.
He also told Judge Michael Burnett he had been "gainfully employed" while court proceedings had been ongoing.
His four-year jail term, imposed on June 20, will be suspended after six months.
Smaller jobs targeted by unlicensed operators
Mr Bidwell says the state's builder licensing system is among the most "robust" in the country. (ABC News: Glen Armstrong)
While Master Builders Queensland CEO Paul Bidwell says stories like this are relatively rare, he acknowledged it isn’t unusual to see unlicensed contractors "coming out of the woodwork", particularly after natural disasters and offering smaller repairs.
Mr Bidwell is concerned these operators are doing damage to the industry's reputation and making it difficult for people to trust tradies.
"The reality is, when push comes to shove, that people will be convinced to take an easy option," he said.
"If it sounds too good to be true, then it is too good to be true."
Mr Bidwell says natural disasters can entice unlicensed operators out of the woodwork to offer their services. (ABC Gold Coast: Alexandria Utting)
'Robust' system in place
Queensland has had a licensing system for trades since 1991, and a licence is required in most cases if the works to be completed are worth more than $3,300.Mr Bidwell described it as one of the most "robust" in the country, which "in theory" means no-one should be performing building work without a licence.
But he said the onus is on would-be renovators to check the licences of tradespeople.
"Don't take anything at face value,"
he said.
"Have a look at their record through the QBCC ... they can see whether the carpenter has had any directions.
"There's nothing like getting references from people you know to make sure that the contractor can deliver what they say they can do."
CEO of Master Builders Queensland Paul Bidwell warns would-be renovators should be wary of offers which sound too good to be true. (ABC News: Glen Armstrong)
A QBCC search of Ryan David Walker reveals he is unlicensed.
It also shows he has previously been disqualified and has had infringements issued for unlicensed contracting in the past.
The record also reveals he declared bankruptcy in 2024.
A spokesperson for QBCC says people should look up tradespeople before they engage their services. (Supplied: QBCC)
Warning for would-be renovators
QBCC declined the ABC's request for an interview.In a statement, a spokesperson said home owners should check the licensee register before engaging a tradesperson.
"In addition, having a written, dated and signed contract in place isn’t just smart, it’s an essential part of the process and can safeguard you if things go wrong," they said.
QBCC said people would generally be covered under their home warranty scheme if they enter into a contract with a licensed tradesperson, although each case is assessed individually.
The couple say they will be more wary in the future, but think more education is needed. (ABC News: Nickoles Coleman)
As for Ms James and Mr Jones, they're planning on being a lot more wary in the future and will only use tradespeople who've been recommended by their family and friends.
"I do think there should be some more education on this," Ms James said.
The couple hope sharing their story will help others avoid falling into a similar trap.
Written by Lottie Twyford, ABC News.
