Watch moment builders tear up customer’s new driveway with bulldozer over ‘half-paid bill’ – but who is in the right?
THIS is the moment a pair of furious builders destroy a customers new driveway with a bulldozer after they claim they weren’t paid in full.
Tradies Damian Hallett, 37, and Jamie Sommerville, 39, kicked off causing an explosive argument after being left shortchanged – even forcing the cops to step in.
The South Australian concreters said they were left with no choice other than to make a major statement after a string of underpaying customers in recent months.
They hopped in a powerful bulldozer and demolished one of their client’s driveways before brandishing power tools to completely wreck the rest of it.
A viral video shows police rushing to the home in Clare to try and deescalate the situation that had quickly turned into a heated argument.
The routine job was scheduled to cost the cheeky homeowner around £11,500 – a price the workers claim was agreed upon prior to starting the process.
But when the job was finished and it was time to hand over the hard earned cash, Damian and Jamie only got £8,500.
The tradies – who described themselves as “hard working Aussies” – told News.com.au they were forced into taking such drastic actions after the homeowner refused to pay up.
The main reason why it happened was he blatantly said to us he wasn’t going to pay
Jamie Sommerville
Mr Sommerville said: “We don’t condone this sort of stuff, we’ve never done it before.
“We knew it was going to come to a situation.
“The main reason why it happened was he blatantly said to us he wasn’t going to pay.”
In a shocking video of the incident, the homeowner can be seen pleading with Hallett to turn off the bulldozer.
But Hallet makes his feelings clear by saying: “I’m ripping the whole f***ing lot out.”
Before the unnamed homeowner says: “It’s not going to help anybody.”
Hallet, sitting in the destructive dozer, replies with: “I don’t care, I’m pulling this out.
“At the end of the day you owe me £2,800. I’m pulling this out, you’ve had your chances.
“You said you’re not going to pay me the money. If you’re going to pay me the money I’ll stop, if not I’m going to bulldoze now.”
Before starting up the machine and tearing up even more of the driveway.
I’ve tried to bargain with you. If you’re going to pay the money talk to me, if not f*** off. I don’t care
Damian Hallett
Another clip shows the moment cops arrive to the house asking Hallet to “be reasonable”.
The irate tradie can be caught saying to the cop: “You can go and talk to him. I’m done talking to him. Why do I need to talk to him?”
Then Hallet fumes at the man saying: “Get the f*** away from my Bobcat, I’m digging the driveway up.
“I’ve tried to bargain with you. If you’re going to pay the money talk to me, if not f*** off. I don’t care. I’ve never done this before in my life.”
Then the police officer jumps in asking: “Hang on, how much do you owe him?”
When Hallet mentions the unpaid amount the cop replies with: “Well then you need to pay him £2,800.”
After the hours-long pubic fiasco came to an end Hallet announced on his Instagram that he has now been paid in full.
According to the pair, this isn’t the first time they’ve been left out of pocket saying last year they suffered a major blow when a big company refused to cough up £12,000.
He wrote: “We have been paid in full on the day. Thanks to South Australian police involvement.”
A South Australia Police spokeswoman said: “The matter was a civil dispute and SAPOL attended to ensure there was no breach of the peace occurring.
“No offences had been committed by any persons and SAPOL did not get involved in the matter of payment between the parties.”