A COUPLE’s dream home which was reduced to rubble by an angry builder two years ago has been branded an “ugly Grand Designs carbuncle” by fuming neighbours after being rebuilt.
The newly-renovated £500,000 property in Stoneygate, Leicester, was demolished following a row over money in June 2021.
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Owner Jay Kurji told how he fell out with the workman after refusing to pay him an additional £3,500 before it was bulldozed while he was on holiday.
Neighbours say their quiet residential street turned into a building site as Mr Kurji painstakingly attempted to rebuild his house.
Almost two years later, the four-bedroom detached home still remains unfinished – much to the anger of some locals.
Photos show how it has undergone significant renovation work but still remains fenced off, surrounded by scaffolding, with a skip on the drive.
Neighbours say they are unhappy that the design of the new house is not in keeping with other properties and have complained it towers over people’s gardens.
One person who lives on the street but did not wish to be named said: “We felt for him at the time but the work has taken too long and it’s been like living on a building site.
“What has replaced it is an ugly Grand Designs-style carbuncle, which just looks completely out of place and not in keeping with the area.
“It towers above other people’s properties and they will be able to see into other people’s gardens.
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“After all the mess we’ve had to put up with, we’re left with this eyesore monstrosity.”
Another local added: “I think it is diabolical and the renovation work has been going on for far too long.
“We’re unhappy with the design of the new house too as it doesn’t fit in with the rest of the street. It’s overpowering.
“The owner has gone up another story and if you look at it from the back of the house, it’s higher than the rest of the houses and sticks out.
“The colour also makes it stick out. It is so white. Even if it was painted cream, it would have been a lot better.”
A third resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It doesn’t look great and the renovation work has been going on for a very long time.
“At least in the past five months, the building has finally began to resemble a house but the scaffolding is all still up.
“At one point, I know a neighbour told me the owners might be installing a veranda onto the house which many complained about.
“Because of the height of the house, if a veranda was installed it would mean they would be able to see into people’s houses across the street and no one wants that.”
After all the mess we’ve had to put up with, we’re left with this eyesore monstrosity.
Resident
Despite the moaning from many, some residents praised Mr Kurji for being able to rebuild the property to a good standard following his ordeal with the revenge-seeking builder.
One of those on his side said: “I have met the owner and he is a nice person and I think the house looks nice.
“I remember a couple of years back that he had problems with his builder who damaged the house but I don’t know if they sorted their issues out or anything more came about this.
“I know the builder had been hired after being recommended by a friend but that’s all I know.”
Mr Kurji refused to comment when approached but said previously: “It’s a nightmare, unfortunately I picked the worst builder in Britain.
“I bought the house last year and employed a builder to start work in February.
“We wanted lots of work doing so it could be our family home for six of us.
“The work included a two-storey extension, a new roof, wiring and we wanted it to be more environmentally-friendly.
“I was on holiday 200 miles away when all the scaffolding was taken down and the house damaged.
“When I called police they told me they couldn’t do anything because it’s a dispute so not a criminal case.”
He said he had emailed Trading Standards.
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What are my rights?
Under the Consumer Rights Act, anyone who enters a contract for goods and services can expect these to be supplied with reasonable care and skill – and this includes builders, plumbers, decorators and electricians.
It also includes materials, which should be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose.
If you’ve fallen victim to a cowboy builder, or had a dispute with your contractors, you should firstly collate all evidence you have, including paperwork, photos, videos, messages and bank statements.
Then, try to resolve the issues directly with the firm, before trying an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme such as mediation or ombudsman services.
If this doesn’t work, contact your bank to find out whether you can recover any money spent using Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (if the job cost between £100 and £30,000, your credit card company is jointly liable if something goes wrong).
If this doesn’t work, report them to the police on 101.
While the lines between what is criminal and just bad practice are blurred, a contractor could be done for fraud.
It is also important to contact Trading Standards. Citizens’ Advice has an online form to help you do this.
TS will then decide whether to investigate further based on the information you provide and help negotiate a settlement.
Even if it doesn’t, the details may help if anyone else complains about the same firm.
It is also possible to take builders to a small claims court if you have been left out of pocket. However, you run the risk of racking up significant costs.
While most home insurance policies don’t cover building work, it is worth confirming this with your provider.
And you should also, if possible, find out whether your builder holds liability insurance, which would also help.
You can find a full list of issues and your rights as a homeowner here.
