Family’s Nightmare: A Loft Conversion Gone Wrong
A father from Dagenham, East London, has found himself on the brink of financial ruin after investing a staggering £120,000 in a disastrous loft conversion. Marc Rodriguera claims he was “ripped off” by a series of “cowboy” builders, leading to a two-year ordeal that nearly resulted in his home being deemed structurally unsound.
At the heart of the issue is Marc’s ambitious plan to transform his loft into two additional bedrooms for his family of six. However, the process quickly spiraled out of control. After hiring the first contractor in April 2023, it became clear that extensive repairs were needed on the gable end wall—a critical support structure for the roof. This revelation necessitated the construction of temporary supports from the ground up, adding to the complexity of the project.
Marc poured approximately £42,000 into the first builder’s hands before ultimately terminating their contract in July 2023. He expressed his frustration, stating, “He wasn’t adhering to building plans, and building control was rejecting his work.” As the problems compounded, Marc realized he had made a grave mistake by trusting this contractor. “I kept hoping he would finish the job and comply with proper building regulations,” he lamented.
After dismissing the first builder, Marc engaged a second contractor in July 2023, investing an additional £40,000 over the subsequent months. However, dissatisfaction with the builder’s pace led to another dismissal in November, coinciding with Storm Ciarán. “The loft was shaking in 100mph winds, and we had to evacuate,” Marc recalled, still shaken by the experience.
In desperation, Marc hired a third builder, which ultimately led to satisfactory completion of the project just before Christmas that same year. He later pursued the second builder in court, claiming £9,700 for funds taken without delivering work on the gable end wall and associated steelwork that “went into nothing.”
Marc had originally budgeted around £70,000 for the entire renovation, a sum he and his family meticulously saved during the Covid pandemic. To their dismay, the final costs nearly doubled, leaving them unable to afford planned upgrades to their kitchen. “We didn’t realize the emotional toll this would take on our family,” he said. “We anticipated six to nine months of disruption, but it turned into a terrifying nightmare. Our savings are gone.”
Reflecting on the ordeal, Marc noted they were fortunate to identify structural issues early, suggesting that the house could have collapsed if left unaddressed. He delayed pursuing the second builder for compensation until the renovation was finished, aiming to minimize stress for his family.
Before an initial hearing last November, Marc expressed his anxiety: “If I lose this case and have to pay £9,000, it would force me into bankruptcy. It’s a dire situation.” The stress of the situation took a toll on his family life, with Marc noting, “My wife cries every night.” Despite his fears, he felt compelled to seek justice, stating, “It feels like a significant injustice to just let this go.”
Attempts to report the second builder for fraud have been met with indifference from Companies House, as Marc explained, “They said it’s not something they can handle.” Fortunately, a ruling from the judge in November indicated that Marc would not be liable for the opposing legal fees should he lose the case. He is now awaiting a court order that requires the builder to pay him by April 7.
In the aftermath of this harrowing experience, Marc has become acutely aware of the lack of consumer protection in the building industry. “The entire sector seems to neglect consumer safety,” he remarked. “Builders have their own jargon, which complicates communication. It feels like I’m speaking a different language when it comes to my own home.”
When contacted for comment, the second builder declined to respond. However, a solicitor representing the builder’s company mentioned that Marc had initiated proceedings against the wrong entity. “The builder is not personally liable; it’s the company that must be held accountable,” he stated. He further explained that the judge had identified the correct defendant during the initial hearing, but the company is now defunct and unable to defend itself.
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Despite finally achieving some resolution, Marc continues to grapple with the emotional and financial fallout from his unfortunate experience, determined to recover the funds he lost to shoddy workmanship.