A retired couple has been left ‘traumatised’ after a home renovation that was meant to last three weeks has turned into a two-year nightmare that cost them almost £40,000 more than planned. Malcolm Carter, 72, and his wife Terri, 71, from Hythe, Southampton, hired Nationwide Construction Specialists Ltd to renovate their four-bedroom detached home after finding them ‘highly recommended’ on Checkatrade. They paid the company £23,891 in September 2022 and were advised to move out during the construction period. However, upon their return after a planned holiday, they found the house in disarray and little progress made. Feeling that the project would never be completed, Malcolm eventually asked the builders to leave after three weeks of little progress.
The couple’s ordeal continued as they had to hire another builder to complete the work. A survey showed the costs to finish the build would exceed £40,000. Despite Malcolm’s efforts to claim back some of his losses through legal means, he has yet to receive any compensation. The renovation ended up costing him a total of £61,415, significantly more than originally intended. Malcolm, a retired firefighter, had to dip into his pension and even apply for equity release on his home to cover the added expenses. He also had to sell his car to cover further costs.
Nationwide Construction Specialists Ltd disputed Malcolm’s claims, stating that the job was completed as per the agreement and blamed additional work requests for the delay. Checkatrade removed the company from its platform following an investigation. The ongoing battle has taken a toll on the couple’s mental health, with Malcolm describing the situation as a ‘logistical nightmare’. Despite the setbacks, Malcolm remains firm in his quest for justice while dealing with the financial strain caused by the disastrous renovation.
The couple’s story serves as a cautionary tale for others considering home renovations, highlighting the importance of thorough research and clear communication with contractors to avoid falling victim to similar experiences.