This Couple Hired the Wrong Builder – Don’t Make Their Mistake

It was supposed to be a fresh start. Sarah and Mark had lived in their three-bed home for over a decade. With their children growing up and space running short, they decided to build a rear extension – something simple to give them a bigger kitchen and more room to breathe. They spoke to a few local tradesmen, picked the one who seemed the friendliest, and handed over a deposit. The builder promised it would take six weeks. Eight at the most. It ended up taking five months, costing thousands more than expected, and leaving behind problems they’re still dealing with. The First Sign of Trouble At first, everything seemed fine. The builder turned up with a van, a small team, and a lot of confidence. But within the first week, small problems began to show. The builder didn’t follow the drawings properly. He changed the size of the new room without checking. He ignored drainage plans. Worse, he didn’t call building control when the foundations were poured – which meant that stage had to be redone at extra cost. Sarah says, “We trusted him. He always had a reason for everything. But the more we asked questions, the less clear his answers became.” The Hidden Danger No One Spotted The real turning point came in week three, when one of the workers pulled up an old ceiling board and noticed something strange underneath. A grey, fibrous sheet had been nailed between rafters – a classic sign of asbestos. Rather than stop and assess the situation properly, the builder brushed it off. He told the couple it was “probably just old fibreboard” and carried on cutting into it. That mistake could have been serious. Asbestos is still found in thousands of UK homes, says Aaron from AJC Asbestos, especially those built before the 1990s. When disturbed, it can release fibres that are dangerous when inhaled – and it’s a legal requirement to stop work and carry out proper testing. They Had to Call in the Experts After raising concerns with the council, Sarah and Mark paid for a survey. The result confirmed it was asbestos insulation board, a hazardous material that needed licensed removal. By this point, the job had already overrun. Costs were climbing. The couple had lost trust in the builder. They told him to stop work while they sorted the issue properly. But when they tried to speak to him, he disappeared. Phone off. Emails ignored What They Learned the Hard Way In the end, Sarah and Mark had to bring in a new builder to complete the job. The second firm had to undo part of the previous work, fix the drainage, and deal with extra mess left behind. The final cost? Nearly double the original quote. And while their new kitchen looks great now, they both admit they’d do things differently if they had the chance again. Here’s what they wish they’d done from the start: 1. Always Check Credentials Don’t rely on word of mouth alone. Ask for written references. Look for online reviews. Ask to see recent work. And always check that the builder is insured and understands the legal requirements for handling materials like asbestos. 2. Never Pay Too Much Upfront The couple paid 40% of the job cost before work began – far more than they should have. A staged payment plan linked to specific progress points is far safer. 3. Get Everything in Writing They had no proper contract. Just a basic quote and a handshake. Without written terms, they had no backup when things went wrong. 4. Don’t Rush the Decision They picked the first builder who sounded confident. Looking back, they realise that confidence doesn’t always mean competence. 5. Know What’s Behind the Walls If your home is older, or you’re cutting into old ceilings and walls, get a refurbishment survey. It’s better to know what you’re dealing with – especially when asbestos could be involved. Final Thought Sarah and Mark’s story isn’t unique. Many homeowners put their trust in the wrong builder – and pay the price. The builder might seem friendly, the price might look tempting, and the job might seem simple. But without the right checks, things can go wrong very fast. So before you hand over money or let anyone near your home, take a step back. Ask questions. Get paperwork. And don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right. Because fixing a bad job costs far more than getting it right the first time.