Couple left with three-quarters of a roof thanks to builder's 'incompetence'

09 May 2023 , 20:52

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A hole discovered in the home appeared as though a foot had gone though their ceiling (Image: BPM Media)

A "shoddy” builder who left a couple with three quarters of a roof when he fled and refused to finish the job has avoided jail time.

The couple, named as Mr and Mrs Davies, bought the home in Wolverhampton knowing it would need work and employed Christopher Wood of Summit Roofing Solutions Ltd.

A court hearing heard how Wood had claimed to be a "professional, competent and experienced" roofer, although a chartered surveyor later found his work to be incompetent.

The couple were quoted £11,546 for roofing work, which included a deposit of £4,750 and £6,796 on completion.

But Wood made "further demands" for cash before he finished the job.

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The work started on June 7 and ten days later Mrs DAvies discovered a hole in the ceiling which “very much like someone had put their foot through it," the hearing was told.

Wood later claimed the home’s dormer windows were "not in a good state of repair" and quoted £750 plus VAT to fix them which the concerned victims agreed to.

Some of the damage to the couple's roof (BPM Media)

Later that day, Wood emailed an "interim invoice" and demanded £3,420 from the couple, who handed over the full amount after fearing he would not finish the job, Birmingham Live reported.

The court was told his work to their windows invalidated their 25-year guarantee.

The victims began to realise the "nightmare" job was "becoming too difficult" for Wood and his attendance became sporadic.

More damage was found to an internal bedroom door and holes in a wall structure.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Davies said: "We put up with the excuses for the delays and damages.

"The whole experience often leaves me worried about the next time I need work doing."

The court also heard how Wood left Mrs Davies in tears, while her husband "lost his temper" due to the poor standard of work - which they paid £10,920 for.

Benjamin Close, defending, said: "He knows the blame lies squarely at his door." Sentencing, Judge John Butterfield KC said Wood lacked the "necessary skills" to complete the work adequately.

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The judge added: "The work that was completed was completed in a shoddy way. Individual tasks were done badly or not at all.

"Your behaviour became so difficult they feared to raise numerous problems with you and the nightmare you were starting to cause them."

Wood admitted two counts of engaging in misleading commercial practice and one count of knowingly/recklessly engaging in commercial practice.

He was handed an eight-month sentence, suspended for 18 months with 120 hours unpaid work.

The defendant was told also to pay £7,100 compensation and £7,000 costs .

Antony Thrower