29 September 2023 , 12:55
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A couple are £100,000 out of pocket and have been left with "wonky" walls and a "banana ceiling" after builders "didn't use a spirit level".
Louisa Benton, 34, and her 33-year-old husband Edward hired JAC Building Developments Ltd to construct their dream extension but claim the work was substandard. The couple also said mould has grown in the new upstairs bedroom, as the walls had been plastered before the roof was fitted and sealed.
Despite winning £10,000 in small claims court, the couple have yet to receive any money from the company, which is now undergoing voluntary liquidation. Jamie Smith, owner of the company, has apologised for the errors and says he understands the couple's request for a full refund of £100,000.
The property was left in a poor condition after a failed extension project (Louisa Benton / SWNS)
Walls were wonky following work by JAC Building Developments (Louisa Benton / SWNS)Louisa and Edward, from Laverstock, Wiltshire, hired the firm in the summer of 2022 and agreed to a weekly cash payment plan. Louisa, an accountant, said: "Despite having a catalogue of evidence, reports from building control and the structural engineers, we have been cheated out of our entire life's savings. The builder has admitted full liability to us but is now in the process of liquidating his company.
"As a result, we're probably never going to see any of our money back. "We have now got a rubbish extension not built to specification. We're also paying off a loan for rubbish work. "We have no life savings left, and we've had to spend from our incomes to remedy the issues.
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"It's had a horrific impact on our personal lives. We only got married in October 2021 and wanted to make our home family friendly. "A year on, our extension still isn't finished, and the thought of starting a family has been shattered."
Work began on the extension and the couple took a long-planned holiday for a week in September. Louisa said: "When we got back, we found that the brickwork on the front of our house was all wonky, and that they had installed a canopy roof over our door to try and cover it up. We confronted him about it, and he said that he did not usually use a spirit level when he was working. It was just ridiculous."
The home suffered massive structural damage, which is now being repaired (Louisa Benton / SWNS)
Pictures taken one year after the extension and building work started show it was unfinished (Louisa Benton / SWNS)The couple paid a £10,000 cash deposit followed by £40,000 in weekly payments and an additional £50,000 for further work. Despite receiving ten different quotes, she chose JAC Building Developments because they were local, even though they weren't the cheapest option.
But Louise claimed the pattern of work was "chaotic" with unexplained absences and then confrontations ensued over the job. She said: "They've left us with butchered kitchen units. It looks like they were cut with a child's knife and fork. That has cost us £6,000 to fix. They sold us our dream, and we had a contract. I put trust in them as skilled tradesmen, and they promised to deliver a standard of work. But I honestly think I could have built it better myself."
The couple have now made claims against both of the directors of the business as individuals - but hold out little hope for being repaid. Louisa added: "I was lucky that I am an accountant and got him to sign for all of my payments - so I do have a record. We are just devastated. We are in contact with other people who have gone through exactly the same thing." Louisa contacted Citizens Advice and Trading Standards after Mr Smith offered a £5,000 refund in response to her threat of taking legal action. They advised her to take the case to small claims court. She went on to win a county court claim of £10,498.84 plus £455 for costs on May 21 - the maximum small claim amount possible. The couple hired KP Structural Consultants on February 11 to inspect the work after building control raised alarm bells.
The report confirmed that the ridge timber had not been installed as specified, and a prop had been installed to support the roof, indicating that remedial works were necessary. JAC Building Developments, the company responsible for the construction, has been contacted for comment. In a letter addressed to Louisa on February 28, Mr Smith admitted: "Last week, I accepted responsibility for the poor workmanship and can only offer further apologies. I would also say that I am very disappointed with the failings of some of the contractors I employed who normally work to much higher standards although I take total responsibility for that. I therefore totally understand request for a full refund of £100,000."
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