Builder 'tears down refurbishment at £500k house after payment dispute with owner'

Ross McGuinness
GV of the detached property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, which has been left with its roof missing and rubble scattered all around it after a builder decided to undo the work he'd done following a row about cash. June 8, 2021. See SWNS story SWMDhouse. Properties on the pleasant tree-lined avenue average at more than £540,000.
The property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, which has been left with its roof missing and rubble scattered all around it. (SWNS) (Tristan Potter / SWNS)

A builder has been accused of destroying his own work at a £500,000 house in a row over money.

The property in Leicester lies in ruins after large parts of it appeared to have been torn down.

Residents along Guildford Road in Stoneygate were shocked when the home was reduced to rubble overnight.

GV of the detached property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, which has been left with its roof missing and rubble scattered all around it after a builder decided to undo the work he'd done following a row about cash. June 8, 2021. See SWNS story SWMDhouse. Properties on the pleasant tree-lined avenue average at more than £540,000.
The property has been left with its roof missing. (SWNS) (Tristan Potter / SWNS)

The owner, Jay Kurji, 40, bought the house for £475,000 last April and it is currently valued at more than £500,000.

He said he hired a builder to carry out renovations, including a two-storey extension and enlarged kitchen diner, to the four-bedroom detached property in February.

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But Mr Kurji says the pair fell out after he refused to pay the builder an additional £3,500.

Neighbours saw the house being destroyed on 1 June, while Mr Kurji was on holiday with his family 200 miles away.

Google streetview of the property prior to the work taking place. GV of the property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, which has been left with its roof missing and rubble scattered all around it after a builder decided to undo the work he'd done following a row about cash. June 8, 2021. See SWNS story SWMDhouse. Properties on the pleasant tree-lined avenue average at more than £540,000.
How the property looked before any work took place. (SWNS) (SWNS)

Mr Kurji, a solutions architect for an IT firm, said: “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.

GV of the detached property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester, which has been left with its roof missing and rubble scattered all around it after a builder decided to undo the work he'd done following a row about cash. June 8, 2021. See SWNS story SWMDhouse. Properties on the pleasant tree-lined avenue average at more than £540,000.
The property's owner has accused his builder of destroying the home. (SWNS) (Tristan Potter / SWNS)

“The work included a two-storey extension, a new roof, wiring and we wanted it to be more environmentally friendly.”

He added: “I was on holiday 200 miles away when all the scaffolding was taken down and the house damaged."

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He said he has contacted police and Trading Standards.

Neighbours said much of the house was demolished with a digger.

One 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.”

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