Ryan Ward paid a builder £95,000 to renovate his home, but the builder filed for bankruptcy and left the property unfinished. According to Daily Mirror - UK News, Ward described living in a 'structurally unsafe' dwelling with a mice infestation, saying the builder 'put my family at risk, basically making us live in a death trap on stilts'. Tony and Sue Wade paid a builder £65,000 for a garage conversion that was not completed. Tony Wade told Daily Mail - News that the builder was found through Checkatrade and called 'BSW Construction Projects', but lacked basic construction knowledge, such as not knowing how to use a spirit level. The builder promised the work would take two months but it dragged on for three years. The builder admitted he shifted the couple's money into a different job. The builder claimed he did not abandon the project but stopped trading due to bankruptcy, and stated he left the site safe, properly propped, and inspected.
In a separate case, Tori McKillen and Mhinder Mehta received an F energy rating after making green home improvements. According to Daily Mail - News, the couple installed an electric boiler, double-glazed windows, cavity wall insulation, and zoned heating, but were penalised by the EPC system. They had to remove spray foam loft insulation because it is refused by some mortgage lenders. Consumer campaigners Which? have branded EPCs 'unreliable and in desperate need of reform'.
I had to tell them three times that the driveway was uneven.
The last time they came, I asked one of the men, 'have you got a spirit level?' and he said 'no'. But when I gave him my spirit level, he still put it the wrong way around.
It's been very stressful. We feel devastated.