Builder DEMOLISHES $700,000 home while owners are on holiday because they refused to pay additional $5,000
Leicester, UK: A £500,000 ($708,670) house has been destroyed after an angry builder smashed up the work he had completed in a row over pay.
Neighbors were in shock when the newly renovated home on their beautiful street was crushed to rubble overnight.
Owner Jay Kurji – a 40-year-old Solutions Architect – bought the Stoneygate house in April for £475,000 (673,236). It is currently valued at more than £500,000 ($708,670).
A builder was hired to do the renovations, including a two-story extension and enlarged kitchen diner, to the four-bedroom property in February.
But things got heated when Mr. Kurji refused to pay the builder an additional £3,500 ($4960).
And, as a result, last Tuesday the builder destroyed the work he had completed. Meanwhile, Mr. Kurji was on holiday with his family hundreds of miles away.
Mr. Kurji said the following:
“It’s a nightmare, unfortunately I picked the worst builder in Britain.
“I bought the house last year and employed a builder to start work in February.
“We wanted lots of work doing so it could be our family home for six of us.
“The work included a two-storey extension, a new roof, wiring and we wanted it to be more environmentally-friendly.”
He said it was an act of vengeance and added:
“I was on holiday 200 miles away when all the scaffolding was taken down
and the house damaged.“When I called police they told me they couldn’t do anything because it’s a dispute so not a criminal care.
“I’ve emailed Trading Standards but I’m still away so it’s difficult to sort it all out.”
Locals said they “watched in disbelief” as the builders destroyed much of the house with a digger.
One person said:
“There was scaffolding on the house and when it was taken down I did think the work might be done already and the owners might be moving in.
“I was stunned when I walked past the house last week and saw that the roof had been ripped off and the new extension was just a hole in the front of the house.
“I feel badly for the owners, they must be absolutely gutted.”
What are your thoughts on this story? Let us know by joining the conversation in the comments and please share this article if you’ve enjoyed it.
