In a smiling photo, charismatic western Sydney plumber Duanne Hevers holds up his prize – a drill and certificate naming him ‘Master Plumbers Indigenous Apprentice of the Year’.
There’s just one problem. Duanne, 24, is not a licensed plumber and never has been, according to the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner – who has warned ns: ‘Do not deal with Duanne Hevers’.
Hevers’ former bosses and clients across Sydney have spoken out about the alleged ‘fake tradie’ to , as authorities sound the alarm that Hevers ‘may be seeking to trade without a licence’.
Alleged victims have claimed to Fair Trading that Hevers chases after residential building work which requires a licence, and then ‘makes false and misleading statements to obtain money from them’.
Text messages obtained by show the wannabe plumber hassling a former client for money over a period of several months – and at one point even daring to ‘take further action’ if he didn’t get paid.
‘I’ve asked you multiple times to get my personal belongings and to finalise my pay … If it’s not sorted out by 8pm I’ll be taking further action,’ one text reads.
Duanne Hevers is subject of a public warning by NSW Fair Trading. Above, he holds his Master Plumbers Apprentice of the Year Award
Duanne hassled an ex-employer for his belongings after he was let go, and demanded he finalise his pay or he would be ‘taking further action’
‘Hi mate usually I wouldn’t do this and I do apologise for any inconienience (sic) but for monday I have to order in some gear for the concrete slabs and stuff is there any chance you can please pay/ transfer $950 asap so I can continue the work,’ another reads.
Another message to the same customer requested an urgent transaction for $980 for an alleged order of tanks and pumps before sharing his personal bank details.
‘Will have to get you to make a bank transfer deposit of $980 if possible asap just to cover the material cost would be much appreciated thanks a lot and we will see you tomorrow’.
Hevers’ ex-bosses have made a raft of allegations against him, with some claiming they and their customers are tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
approached Hevers for comment with detailed questions, but did not receive a response.
Duanne was last spotted by a disgruntled ex-employer at a west tigers game in April
NSW Fair Trading is concerned that western Sydney plumber Duanne Hevers (pictured second left) may be seeking to trade without a licence
In March, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner, Ms Natasha Mann, warned consumers not to deal with Hevers, who had been trading in NSW without a license under the business name Fairwater Plumbing.
‘Based on complaints received from consumers, NSW Fair Trading is concerned that Mr Hevers may be seeking to trade without a licence,’
‘Consumers have complained that Mr Hevers seeks residential building work for which a licence is required and makes false and misleading statements to obtain money from them.’
According to sources, Hevers had recently been advertising his plumbing services on community pages and online marketplace Airtasker.
In NSW, a license is required for all specialist work such as electrical, plumbing and air conditioning regardless of the cost.
Further, a license is required for all other residential work valued at more than $5,000.