Industry Watch
Real Cases. Expert Commentary.
Smarter Homebuilding Decisions
* Spot the red flags. Learn from real cases. Protect your project
* Spot the red flags. Learn from real cases. Protect your project
Good decisions start with knowing what to look out for. Our Industry Watch section brings you real, current events from the UK construction sector, highlighting misconduct, legal rulings, and financial risks. Each case includes expert commentary from Oliver Steele-Perkins and invited professionals, along with links to relevant Insights for deeper learning.
Major Renovation Turns into Legal Nightmare Without a Signed Contract
Summary
A homeowner in East London engaged a builder for a home renovation project initially quoted at £150,000 with a four-month completion timeline. Over a year later, after paying nearly £400,000, the work remains unfinished, rendering the home uninhabitable. The homeowner admitted that, although a contract was drafted, it was never signed—a mistake that left him without formal recourse when issues arose.
Reported by The Sun on May 3, 2025.
Essentials Commentary
This case underscores the importance of homeowners taking proactive steps to protect themselves during renovation projects:
Formalise Agreements: Always ensure that contract terms are agreed, and contracts are signed and dated before work begins. *Plan It
Detail the Scope of Work: Clearly outline the scope of work, payment schedules, and timelines in the contract. *Plan It
Verify Builder Credentials: Check for any outstanding legal judgments or financial issues that might affect their reliability. *Plan It
Maintain Clear Communication: Keep all communications and changes documented to prevent misunderstandings and disputes.
By taking these steps, homeowners can better safeguard their property and finances against unforeseen issues during building projects.
* Learning Pathways Plan It and Build It
Homeowner Left with Uninhabitable Home After Builder Abandons Project
Summary
Claire Harris, a mother from the UK, embarked on building her "forever home" after her partner's death. She purchased a 1930s house for £325,000 and obtained planning permission for a double-storey extension. Despite making weekly payments to a recommended builder, she became concerned about slow progress and escalating costs. The builder eventually demanded an additional £15,000; when Claire couldn't pay, he abandoned the project, leaving the house partially roofless and uninhabitable. Claire won a small claims court case but couldn't recover any money. She has since spent £40,000 more to fix the roof and kitchen, yet part of the house remains incomplete.
Reported by The Scottish Sun on March 25, 2024.
Essentials Commentary
This case underscores the importance of homeowners taking proactive steps to protect themselves during renovation projects:
Establish a Detailed Building Programme: Before commencing work, agree upon a comprehensive schedule outlining key milestones and completion dates. *Plan It
Formalise Agreements: Ensure all terms, including timelines and payment schedules, are documented in a signed contract. *Plan It
Verify Builder Credentials: Check for any outstanding legal judgments or financial issues that might affect their reliability. *Plan It
Maintain Clear Communication: Keep all communications and changes documented to prevent misunderstandings and disputes. *Build It
By taking these steps, homeowners can better safeguard their property and finances against unforeseen issues during building projects.
* Learning Pathways Plan It and Build It
Builder Fined for Unlicensed Asbestos Removal
Summary
Gavin Mutch, trading as G Mutch Developments, conducted unlicensed asbestos removal during a renovation project in Cheadle, Manchester, despite being warned by the homeowner about potential asbestos presence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.
Detailed in a press release by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Essentials Commentary
Before any building work starts, homeowners are legally required to have an asbestos refurbishment survey carried out, it’s not optional. This is an HSE (Health and Safety Executive) requirement and helps protect everyone involved in the project.
If asbestos is found, it must be removed by a licensed contractor before any work begins. The good news?
The survey is quick, straightforward, and relatively inexpensive, but skipping it puts lives and your project at risk.
Homeowners Defrauded of £400,000 by Rogue Builder
Summary
Ayham Ashqar, a homeowner in East London, paid nearly £400,000 for a house renovation that was never completed. The builder initially quoted £150,000 and promised to finish in four months — but a year later, the house was uninhabitable. At least four other homeowners reported similar experiences, with total losses approaching £1 million.
Reported by The Sun
Essentials Commentary
This case is a reminder that due diligence is non-negotiable.
✔ Always check a builder’s credentials and references
✔ Avoid large upfront payments
✔ Sign an industry standard Contract
By learning how to structure your project propertly and spot red flags early, you stay in control and avoid costly setbacks.
Family Left Homeless After Loft Renovation Collapse
Summary
James Hobby, a secondary school teacher from Windsor, and his family were left homeless and facing a £250,000 bill after their home collapsed during a loft extension project. The builder, a sole trader, had public liability insurance, but the insurer refused the claim, citing non-disclosure of previous county court judgments. Hobby's own home insurance also declined coverage, stating that liability for accidental damage during renovations rests with the contractor.
Reported by The Guardian
Essentials Commentary
This case underscores the importance of homeowners taking proactive steps to protect themselves during renovation projects:
Obtain your own renovation insurance: Don't rely solely on the builder's insurance. Ensure you have coverage that protects both the existing structure and the new works.
Verify builder credentials: Check for any outstanding legal judgments or financial issues that might affect their reliability.
Inform your home insurer: Always notify your insurer about planned renovations to understand how your policy may be affected.
By taking these steps, homeowners can better safeguard their property and finances against unforeseen issues during building projects.
Homeowner Faces £500,000 Bill After Boundary Wall Dispute
Summary
JRobert Heffer, a homeowner on the Sandbanks peninsula, entered into a costly legal dispute with his neighbour, Ashley Faull, over the demolition of a 10-foot-high boundary wall during a neighbouring development. Heffer claimed sole ownership and objected to the wall being altered. Crucially, no party wall agreement had been established, and the court ruled the wall was jointly owned. Faull was awarded approximately £357,500 in damages and £147,000 in legal costs.
Reported in the Times 22nd March 24
Essentials Commentary
This case is a clear example of what can go wrong when homeowners skip the legal formalities.
✔ If you plan to build near a boundary, serve a Party Wall Notice in writing
✔ Always seek a formal Party Wall Agreement, verbal understandings aren’t enough
✔ Open, early communication with neighbours can prevent expensive misunderstandings
Failing to follow the Party Wall Act can cost far more than you think, financially and personally. Always check with a surveyor if your project is going to need a Party Wall Agreement.
Homeowner Shocked by £21,000 Bill for Unquoted Extras
Summary
A homeowner, after completing a major renovation and extension costing over £250,000, was presented with an unexpected bill of £21,000 for additional works. These included £6,000 for electrical and heating points discussed informally but not formally quoted, and £15,000 for other tasks carried out without prior agreement. The homeowner was particularly concerned about being charged for five days of labour for work that took one day.
Reported by MyBuilder Forum on March 3, 2024.
Essentials Commentary
This case underscores the importance of clear communication and documentation in building projects:
Obtain detailed, written quotes: Ensure all aspects of the work, including preliminary costs, are itemised in a scope of works and agreed by Contract before starting work. *Plan It
Avoid informal agreements: Casual discussions on site can lead to misunderstandings. Always formalise any changes or additions (Variations) to the project scope in writing by instructing your builder to carry out additional work. *Plan It
Monitor progress and costs: Regularly review the work being done and associated costs (Valuations or Stage Payments) to prevent surprises at the project's end. *Build It
By taking these steps, homeowners can better manage their projects and avoid unexpected expenses.
* Learning Pathways Plan It and Build It
Builder Fined £11,689 for Breaching Building Regulations
Summary
Ben Walker, trading as Monkeyfist Construction, was prosecuted by South Gloucestershire Council after carrying out an extension in Yate without submitting the required building control application. The homeowners, who had been assured the project would be completed within budget by Christmas 2017, noticed little progress over several months despite substantial payments. It was discovered that no building control application had been made. The council's Building Control team found multiple serious failures in the construction design and build, necessitating significant remedial work to ensure the building's stability and weather resistance. Walker was found guilty in his absence of five charges, resulting in a £10,000 fine, £1,519.18 in council costs, and a £170 victim surcharge, totaling £11,689.18.
Reported by South Gloucestershire Council on January 21, 2019.
Essentials Commentary
This case shows how serious things can get when building regulations are ignored, and how easy it is for homeowners to be left picking up the pieces.
We always recommend submitting your plans to Building Control in advance for a full plan check, not just relying on site inspections later. It’s a simple step that gives you clarity on what's required before any work starts.
At build stage, manage the Building Control inspections yourself. Don’t leave this to your builder, and don’t assume it’s been done. Always follow up and ask for written reports or confirmations at each inspection stage. If anything is missing or wrong, you’ll want to know early and can manage it at the appropriate stage of the project.
Taking these steps puts you firmly in control of compliance, and protects your investment.
* Learning Pathways Plan It and Build It