Young family claims bungled build ruining their ‘dream home’
A family who claim they're stuck in what was meant to be their dream home say they could be left hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket by a building bungle.
Just three weeks after moving in, Matt and Georgie Steel noticed massive cracks in the walls.
"The damage is definitely getting worse," Mrs Steel told A Current Affair.
"Like, the cracks are getting bigger. You know, the shelving is moving more."
Matt and Georgie Steel noticed cracks in the walls of their home weeks after they moved in. A Current Affair
The couple claim they have forked out about $30,000 on engineering and plumbing reports, along with hiring other experts and lawyers, during a three-and-a-half-year investigation.
The reports confirmed a number of defects in both the slab and the trusses.
Mr Steel said a structural engineer told them the slab was heaved.
Builder Edrich Alfred from Alfred Constructions told A Current Affair the investigation was still underway, and once the engineer had come back with the results, his firm would try to rectify it.
Matt and Georgie Steel with their son Cooper outside the house they hoped would be their dream home. A Current Affair
"We are happy to fix," he said.
The home is currently under structural warranty, while Mr Alfred's company also has building insurance.
But so far, he has only returned to patch up some of the cracks before they start forming again.
Building expert Phil Dwyer said there was basically no consumer protection for people in the Steels' situation.
Builder Edrich Alfred said his company was happy to fix the problems. A Current Affair
"The builders warranty insurance can only be available if the builder is dead, disappeared or insolvent," he said.
"Other than that it's useless."
In a bid to reach a resolution, Mr Alfred offered to buy the house, signing a sale contract along with his business partners.
But he had to back out, telling A Current Affair the finance was not approved.
Mrs Steel said the cracks were getting bigger. A Current Affair
In a series of text messages to the Steels, the builder told them he would "make it up" to them.
"We cannot let this happen to you," he wrote.
But Mr and Mrs Steel say they just want their house repaired.
Mr Steel said they had been told the slab was heaved. A Current Affair
"We're not going to give up because this is the biggest investment of our life," Mrs Steel said.
"And it should be our dream home. And he's ruining that for us."
Mr Steel urged Mr Alfred to fulfil his promises.
"Let us move on with out lives and forget that we've actually met you or you ever existed," he said.
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