WA Home Renovation Nightmare: Builder Vanishes with $13K Debt
A Derby homeowner is still seeking nearly $10,000 after a bathroom and laundry renovation went drastically wrong, leaving her property vacant for almost two years and prompting a court-issued arrest warrant for the builder. Sam Hall, of Derby, Western Australia, paid Stephen Keenan, operating as Keenan Building and Maintenance, $13,000 in 2023 to renovate the laundry and spare bathroom of her home, located 2,000 kilometers north of Perth.
Ms. Hall initially believed the work was satisfactory, but quickly discovered issues with the tiling and drainage. “Within four to six weeks, the grout was giving way,” she said, recounting how her repeated attempts to contact Mr. Keenan for repairs were ignored. The problems escalated, leading to a foul odor emanating from the shower. A friend assisting Ms. Hall discovered significant waterproofing issues when they removed some of the tiling, revealing the use of inappropriate materials like gyprock beneath the tiles.
The Building Commissioner investigated and found multiple defects, including improper substrate and waterproofing and faulty grouting. Mr. Keenan contested these findings, leading to a hearing at the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT). According to the SAT’s findings, Mr. Keenan did not present any evidence to refute Ms. Hall’s claims, and the tribunal concluded that the work was “defective” and did not meet Australian standards. The SAT ordered Mr. Keenan to reimburse Ms. Hall $9,970 by January 10, 2025, with a daily accrual of $1.64 until the payment was made.
Ms. Hall has been unable to collect any payment. Mr. Keenan was not present for the SAT judgement and has remained unreachable. A subsequent magistrates’ court order for the debt was also issued in his absence, but Ms. Hall was unable to serve the papers due to his lack of contact. In November 2025, the court authorized an arrest warrant for Mr. Keenan, but it has not been executed as Ms. Hall has been unable to locate him.
The financial and emotional toll on Ms. Hall has been substantial. Unable to use the shower, she and her teenage son resorted to using a backyard hose before ultimately vacating the property. “It’s a shame because I can’t live here and I can’t rent the house out, so it’s been sitting here empty for nearly two years now,” Ms. Hall stated. “I’ve lost a lot of income.” She added that the financial strain has derailed her plans to relocate to Broome for her son’s education.
The situation highlights broader concerns about building standards and accountability in regional Western Australia. WA Building and Energy reports receiving 256 disputes in regional WA since 2024, including 14 in the Kimberley region. Matt Moran, chief executive of Master Builders WA, stated that there is “no place for ‘cowboys’ in the industry,” emphasizing the need for professionalism and quality workmanship, particularly given the state’s housing shortage. “We need a strong industry, and it’s critical we have people who do the right thing, that look after consumers,” he said.
Despite multiple attempts, Mr. Keenan has not responded to requests for comment, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. The ABC reported being unable to locate him at addresses associated with his business in the Kimberley.