Homeowner Seeks £15,000 After Builder's Shoddy Work and Non-Payment
A homeowner in Scotland is seeking to recover £15,000 from a local builder, with several other homeowners also out of pocket. The builder, who was paid at least £220,000 for seven renovation contracts over two years, is accused of shoddy workmanship and non-payment.
The homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, hired the builder for a loft conversion. After paying around £31,500, the builder left the project unfinished, with a gaping hole in the roof. The homeowner was forced to hire another tradesman to complete the work, at an additional cost.
The builder also asked for payment for a staircase but never delivered it, leaving debris from the work dumped in the homeowner's garden. Another tradesman estimated the value of the work completed by the builder to be worth just £16,000, a significant discrepancy from the amount paid.
The homeowner initially struggled to find a builder after the COVID-19 lockdown ended, with quotes reaching as high as £35,000. The builder in question continually asked for more money to continue the work, but allegedly took the money and never finished the job, leaving the homeowner with a cold and unfinished loft.
The homeowner is now trying to recover the £15,000 along with other affected homeowners. The builder was unavailable for comment when contacted by BBC Scotland News. The incident serves as a reminder for homeowners to thoroughly vet builders and ensure they are registered with a relevant trade body before starting any major renovation work.
