A Wellington-based builder, Colby Kelly-Nash, has had his building licence cancelled after taking more than $25,000 in deposits for renovation projects he never began. Reported by
The Building Practitioners’ Board found that Kelly-Nash displayed a pattern of misconduct, repeatedly accepting deposits from clients and then failing to carry out any work. His licence was suspended in May and fully cancelled in September, following multiple complaints from dissatisfied customers.
Three complaints were filed this year alone. In one case, Kelly-Nash took a $16,000 deposit for a major bathroom renovation but backed out on the scheduled start date, promising a refund that never came. The customer won a Disputes Tribunal order for repayment, but the money remains unpaid, and debt collectors have been unable to locate him.
Another customer reported paying $7500 for recladding work that was never started, while a third client lost $1900 on a similar project. Each time, Kelly-Nash allegedly made excuses or stopped communicating altogether.
In its rulings, the board described his actions as “serious misconduct” that undermines public confidence in the licensing system.
“Taking money and retaining it without providing the agreed services is serious. It undermines public faith in the licensing regime and should result in a disciplinary outcome,” the board said in its May decision.
This marks the fourth time Kelly-Nash has been disciplined by the board — and the third time for taking client funds without completing the agreed work. The board said his repeated behaviour posed a “danger to the public.”
Kelly-Nash was also fined $1500 in a separate matter for failing to certify restricted building work.
His company, Dotco Construction, advertises years of experience serving the Wellington, Kapiti, and Hutt Valleyregions. Kelly-Nash did not respond to requests for comment.