Awkward reply-all email construction company sent to client after they complained about their unfinished house
A couple were left stunned after claiming they accidentally received a reply email from a construction company describing them as ‘crazies’.
Property owner Don Jollie and his wife signed a $479.00 contract with Melbourne-based custom home builder Holbrook Homes in 2022.
The couple claim they are still waiting for their project to be completed in Sunbury, about 38km northwest of Melbourne’s CBD.
Mr Jollie contacted Holbrook Homes director Marcel Nassour and explained that he would not be making any further payments.
A couple were left stunned after claiming they accidentally received a response email from a construction company describing them as ‘crazies’ (stock image)
Property owner Don Jollie and his wife signed a $479.00 contract with Melbourne-based custom home builder Holbrook Homes in 2022 (stock image)
An email from the company was originally written to engineers, before Mr Jollie claimed it was sent to him by mistake. news.com.au reported.
“I really need your help, this customer wants to make sure his frame is 100 percent in order before making any further payments,” the email said.
‘Customers have driven me to the brink of madness because they’re afraid I’ll run away if they pay me.
“These guys are crazy and I just want to pay my bills and move on.”
Mr Jollie explained that the bank would not pay another installment for the construction because work on the second floor of his house had yet to begin.
“They all come to my house knowing that (the company) has to get it to the point where I can give them $70,000,” Mr. Jollie said.
Mr Jollie believes the company is on the brink of liquidation.
He also fears no further work will be carried out on his home after a port-a-loo was removed from the property last month.
Mr Nassour explained that an advance payment for Mr Jollie’s house was ‘due’ as the framing was now completed. He also claimed that the port-a-loo would be returned to the location.
The boss of Holbrook Homes denied his company was on the brink of collapse and assured customers that all their contractual obligations would be met.
Mr Jollie contacted Holbrook Homes director Marcel Nassour and explained that he would not be making any further payments (stock image)
“Once I’m done with all my jobs, I have to keep the business running for the remainder of the warranty period,” Mr. Nassour said.
“But I’m not going to do any construction work, just enforce the insurance requirements.”
The construction company started in 2016 and advertises services for Australians looking to build their dream homes and take over projects from liquidated builders.
Mr Nassour became sole director 18 months ago and managing the company has become particularly difficult after his business partner died of a heart attack in 2023.
According to a CreditorWatch report, two payment claims were filed against Holbrook Homes last year totaling $65,000.
A concrete company recorded $28,000 in arrears in December after Holbrook Homes failed to pay their debts two months earlier.
In February the case was taken to court and it was decided that the amount owed would be paid to the concrete company.
Holbrook Homes started in 2016 and advertises services for Australians to build their dream home and takes on projects from liquidated builders (photo, image from company website)
In March, another company obtained a default judgment for Holbrook Homes to pay the unpaid $37,000 bill.
Meanwhile, two Holbrook Homes customers won their case against the construction company in September last year.
The case was taken to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and focused on defects in the customers’ homes, with the company ordered to pay $306,000 to the two customers.