Mr Hutchings is one of as many as 15 subcontractors believed to be owed for work on the Esque development in Franklin, with the combined total of unpaid bills understood to be worth as much as $2 million.

With his first child due in early March, Mr Hutchings has been working flat-out over summer while wondering if he will ever see a cent of the $40,000 he says he is owed.

"It has put us in a bit of a hole. We've got our first child on the way, although we will recover," he said.

"Because of this we've started off our year with no cashflow," he added.

"These bills have been outstanding since August last year."

Just before Christmas the M and A Group property development company went into administration, leaving Esque subcontractors in the dark over when they will be paid.

Mr Hutchings' partner Chloe Drewery, an accounts manager, said the uncertainty had forced her to work far later into her pregnancy than she was planning.

"I should have finished a couple of months ago but I'm still working full-time, just to keep up," she said.

Mr Hutchings said the Christmas period had been "hectic" for his family.

"Chloe finishes-up at work this week so it's all very hectic for her. It's very upsetting and has put a lot of stress on us," he said.

"As a new family trying to get ahead, it's hard."

It is understood the M and A Group wants to pay subcontractors as a priority when the remaining units in the Esque block are settled, although it is not known how this may fit into the administration process.

"...construction of the Esque development is completed, the units plan has been registered and all except a handful of the settlements have already occurred," lawyer Bernard Tan said in December.

"I would expect that the receiver will settle the rest of the units in the ordinary course."

Appointed administrator David Mansfield from Deloitte has not replied to written questions about the administration process.

In December Esque apartment owners were sent a "defects report" detailing 29 separate issues with the building.

The list was compiled on behalf of residents by the Independent Property Group, which is the real estate agent selling apartments inside the Esque building.

Each defect described on the report was accompanied by a list of the apartments affected.

It showed that five units have complained about toilets that either leak or do not flush, six apartments have complained about their air conditioning not working, and four apartments need a plasterer to fix cracks or holes in the walls.

Twelve apartments had complained about receiving either the wrong white goods, or advertised white goods not being supplied at all.

Earlier in January the first annual general meeting was held for Esque residents, with the election of an executive committee to represent unit owners one of the main items of business.

It is understood that residents have discussed how to get the list of defects addressed while the developer is in administration, and whether legal action is the best avenue to do so.

Representatives from the Independent Property Group were present at the meeting.

"The AGM went well considering the issues that are facing the unit owners in the Esque development," a company spokesman said at the time.

"The executive committee will be investigating all options available to them and are awaiting communication from the appointed administrators.

"Until communications are received and authorisation from the committee has been provided no further disclosures can be made."