Unlicensed Plumbing, Electrical, and Gas work
We engaged PMCG Kitchens & Bathrooms to complete a major renovation of our home, including flooring, kitchen, laundry, powder room, main bathroom and ensuite. With no prior experience with major renovations, we relied heavily on their guidance and chose them based on their 5-star reviews. In hindsight, we deeply regret that decision. The project was problematic from the outset. On day two, PMCG removed all ground-floor tiles without covering any furniture—despite assuring us they would. This left our lounges, TV, children's toys and belongings covered in concrete and grout dust. Progress was very slow and the quality of work quickly became a concern. The hybrid flooring was installed unevenly, with noticeable rises and falls throughout. When this was raised, our concerns were dismissed without the floor being properly inspected. During the bathroom renovation the shower was constructed in the wrong shape, requiring rework. The method used to move the tile trim—by breaking the screed with a pick axe—also raised serious concerns about potential damage to the waterproofing, leaving us with ongoing uncertainty about the integrity of the bathroom. More concerning was a wall opening that ended up inside the shower area. We were explicitly assured multiple times that it would be properly repaired before tiling. This was not done. It was simply tiled over. We later confirmed this ourselves. We had specifically asked whether the repair had been completed and were told that it had, which was extremely concerning. An updated waterproofing certificate was even provided stating that the repaired section had been waterproofed, despite the repair not actually having been carried out. We experienced a water leak from the toilet area, which spread under the tiles and into adjoining carpet and flooring. Around this time, we became aware that the plumbing, electrical and gas work had been carried out by unlicensed tradespeople. We also discovered that the mandatory Home Building Compensation Fund insurance required for our project was not in place prior to commencement. A certificate was only provided after major works had been completed, with a start date that did not cover the earlier work. We lost all confidence in their ability to complete the works. We terminated the contract before the ensuite renovation and engaged another company—the difference in quality and professionalism was immediate and undeniable. We had to pursue compensation for defective works, including inadequate floor preparation, exposed vanity plumbing despite contractual requirements to conceal it within the wall, and a damaged kitchen component that was patched rather than replaced. We also had to have another company remove the hybrid flooring, properly level the substrate, and lay a new floor. PMCG resisted responsibility and only agreed to compensate us in full after we made it clear we would escalate the matter to Fair Trading. This entire process was extremely stressful, prolonged and avoidable. It required substantial time and effort on our part to identify defects, arrange independent inspections and rectification, and obtain a resolution. Based on our experience, we strongly advise others to exercise caution before engaging PMCG Kitchens & Bathrooms. We would not use them again.
By Leigh