Construction delays continue as building companies struggle with staff and material costs 20230118 p5rdkz.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 3 years ago

Homeowner's regret as building industry struggles continue

Tom Livingstone

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A Brisbane man who has suffered blow after blow with his new home build said he regrets ever committing to the project.

Homeowners around the nation continue to fight for their home builds to be completed as construction companies struggle to retain staff needed to finish jobs.

Dale Liston told Today it's been "incredibly stressful" that the home he wanted to provide for his family is no closer to being finished.

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Brisbane homeowner Dale Liston has seen drama after drama with his build as the construction industry struggles continue.

Dale Liston told Today it's been "incredibly stressful" that the home he wanted to provide for his family is no closer to being finished. Today

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"I wish I had never done this," Dale told Today.

"Basically, I've still got a shell of a house."

The issue with construction delays was highlighted last year with staff shortages and growing material costs putting the stopper on several builds and even forcing several companies to call it quits.

Dale said costs are continuing to climb and he has nothing to show for it.

"This is five months later and literally I have about a month left of work to move into my house and that means I'm paying rent as well as mortgage, electricity on two houses, all bills that come with that and I get nothing out of it," he said.

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He said he wanted to build a home to provide something better for his family but paying double with nothing to show for it "is getting ridiculous".

Costs will continue to be high for some time yet. Getty/iStock

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The CEO of Master Builders NSW, Brian Seidler, said cost of materials had improved since this time last year but the industry "is suffering predominantly in the supply of labour".

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"We have a lot of work to do," he told Today.

"We're not getting enough young people into our industry."

Seidler said statistics showed not as many new homes are being built, so that will relieve some pressure on the industry, but it's still going to be tough.

"I'm afraid the cost of labour and the cost of materials are still going to be up there," he said.

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See what else Dale and Bryan had to say in the video above

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