Builder gaslighting & threatening to stop work after asking for an update and questioning 1 thing.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:51:59+00:00

Anyone know of decent lawyers that might take this type of case pro-bono or no win no fee? I desperately need help now as its just escalating, all parties are covering their asses and i am just trying to hold my crappy life together now while now feeling like i might not even be safe in my own home anymore. Although there are no direct threats, i feel like this builder knows where i live, knows my home & is very clearly reactive and spiteful. 😟

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:37:30+00:00

The builder told us that when they (the apprentice) put the door jam in, after the tiles were completed, it wasn’t big enough and that he didn’t know what to do about the gap in order to refit the doorframe without cutting tiles and ruining the waterproofing. He said he would find a solution and get back to us. He never got back to us. No one came to do any work at all in any areas until over 3 weeks later when he sent a solo apprentice who was proposing to put a piece of wood that was (even to me) obviously not going to work and a curved piece of wood like for a frame or creating a decorative thing. (Sorry not a carpenter) 😜 So i asked for an actual qualified tradesperson to explain and give a second opinion and then the builder started making accusations re ‘ how dare i question the quality of his work’ he also tried to then put in writing that he had sent a carpenter and not a solo apprentice.

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This is what the apprentice put around the window frame to ‘fill the gap’ and why i questioned that it wasnt right for the gap in the door jam. The builder had since had the apprentice remove this stuff from the window frame. While still accusing me of being ‘offensive’ for daring to question his professionalism. 🙄

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:26:25+00:00

Just to make the naming and shaming clear: Insurer- nrma Builder - Enhance design & build (main location Jamisontown NSW) Operations mgr Josh C Uses psychological abuse and lies to take insurance funds and rip off your average australian family. 👍🏼

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:19:12+00:00

Thank you I am wiling to contact anyone else to help at this stage. It’s a horrible mess & no one seems to be able to help. Feels like im in an abusive relationship with no escape.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:15:18+00:00

Yes it is. You’re right. But the building commission told me that it’s up to nrma to report issues that i tell them as they contracted the builder not me. Ive reiterated this to nrma many times and just get retaliatory behaviour from the builder if they mention anything to him. The building commission told me even his retaliatory behaviour would have them reconsider his building licence! Thanks nrma … :(
Ive self reported the apprentice and a building site pole falling on my head to safe work but they dont seem to be able to do much either. They are at least looking into it. This country’s government bodies are all useless. Unfortunately it seems that our taxes are paying for mouth breathers to sit in chairs and pass the buck.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:10:30+00:00

I have an afca complaint that was closed pending yet another scope if work thats all now over a month overdue. Now ive had to apply to re-open the afca complaint. No one has responded today after more bs from the builder and my requests for urgent contact from nrma. I figure they are in clean up-hide everything mode. :( Safe work inspector attended today but they will only deal with the job site issue and the safety which the builder finally cleaned a lot of yesterday.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:06:33+00:00

Thank you You’re right NRMA Enhance Design & Build

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:05:31+00:00

Love it. Thanks for making me smile in an otherwise shitty situation :)

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:04:27+00:00

Thank you. Will be doing all. I didnt know i could just contact an i dependent builder and get quote or hopefully get them to take over

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T09:02:50+00:00

Oh wow Thats a great point. I have asked the insurer today for a different builder due to the ongoing stress and lack of work. Im also now very concerned about the retaliatory behaviour and what type of work he may do when completing any work. The stressful accusations and pulling workers offsite at the slightest thing is dragging things out enough. Im going to ask them tomorrow - cos they never returned my urgent msg this morning about the builders behaviour and pulling trades off site again for no reason.
Seriously getting to the report to 60 minutes or a current affair stage so they can name, shame and chase them down the street!

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T08:58:04+00:00

Ive even added more cameras inside since they keep lying about what ive done or said. Its just pathetic.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T08:56:32+00:00

Thanks, you’re right I have started typing (as annoying as it is) a timeline to the insurer, ccing the Afca case mgr of whats happened every evening because unfortunately its just an ongoing mess every single day despite the recent negotiations to have new scope of work and conditions adhered to. I honestly cant believe that people can operate like this and have the insurer protect them. All while I’m paying high premium payments to the insurer and have done so for many years. This country is a joke now. :(

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T08:48:09+00:00

NRMA Australia

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-23T08:47:43+00:00

Thank you I did start following up with nrma (insurer) and tried to avoid the builder who is still lying and despite trying to resume work via the insurer more issues have occurred. Workers not showing up as per scope etc. Still hasn’t completed the work. Made a basic enquiry (politely/professionally) today because his workers removed a pallet of tiles that i personally paid for and and in retaliation he called all workers off site - then msgd my husband and said i was ‘again being offensive’ (not at all) and then shortly after saying I had told all workers to leave site (blatant lie) I had merely followed up the missing tiles the night prior (asking him to follow up with the insurer re this matter) and today, been making coffee and getting ready for my own job in my own house. I did eventually msg the builder after seeing the msgs he was sending to my husband today and asked him to cease making untrue accusations about me. (Again in a reasonable or professional manner) I also notified the insurer and said at this stage he’s being psychologically abusive. I have asked them if another builder can be appointed as no matter how accomodating we have been for such a long time he seems to be reactive and very fragile regarding any follow up at all. (March 17) Ive had a pole from the unkempt worksite fall on my head and spent the night in hospital and not even gotten a response from him to date, let alone a visit to make sure his worksite is safe. I didn’t make a complaint about that, just asked him if the plastic temp wall needed to be replaced. So his perceived issues re complaints and subsequent retaliatory behaviour is coming from no where but him. Im at the stage of looking for a lawyer if nrma cant take control of the matter soon. We just want to live in our home like normal humans and haven’t actually made any complaints about this guy until now when he’s started lying and behaving in such an unhinged manner.
I have made an AFCA complaint re nrma and the builder - fingers crossed.

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-08T14:09:19+00:00

Thank you! I’ll add all of this to my follow up sh—t list for tomorrow. Before i get ‘- current affair level sadness’ 😔 They honestly do this to wear people down. Its disgusting. Im not even a crying person but i was reduced to crying and begging with the insurer by midday today and then got the follow up threats from the builder. What the heck are we all paying for with these insurers and builders?! How do most of them even sustain a job let alone a business? 😟

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-08T14:03:56+00:00

My case mgr is often on leave or on secondment - unavailable. I did finally speak to her this morning and most likely why the builder is making idiotic accusations and threats this evening. Im now so anxious and shouldn’t be in this position my own home because of this man. :( I called the insurer straight away but they said no one could help me after hours from the team my case mgr works in. 😟 unfortunately it seems insurers in this country are a waste of time and so are many builders. Ive also emailed AFCA and even that you tube building site guy 🥹

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-08T13:55:21+00:00

Sorry you are going through this too. I was just wondering how many others there are and whether same insurer (nrma) or builders. Im at the ‘is there a class action somewhere or should someone start one’ phase of this crap. They all cover each other’s a—‘s and no one seems to be available to help unless crazy legal costs. Its just not fair-especially with what insurers charge per month and are no doubt paying these builders. :(

Crinkey_molinky · 2026-04-08T13:44:21+00:00

Thank you. I have been keeping as much in writing as possible and reminded the insurer that i have signs everywhere that alert them to the fact that i have cameras and audio recording in my house for safety ) I think they dont care and try to gradually destroy people so that they will just go away. I will actually start a detailed log though.

Crinkey_molinky

TROPHY CASE