A woman claims her parents were left £18,000 out of pocket following a dispute with a builder they hired off Gumtree for a job that would give her terminally ill dad 'some independence back'.
Laura Jones, 22, told the ECHO that mum and dad David, 58, and Donna, 57, hired a tradesman operating under the name AMAC Building Ltd in October 2022 after spotting an advertisement online. The same builder is listed as the sole director of AMAC Design & Build Bespoke Building Company Ltd on Companies House.
David, who had mobility and health issues, wanted an internal garage converted into a bedroom, shower room and small utility area to "gain some independence back". They were also getting an upstairs en-suite installed at the Old Swan property, which the couple had moved into two months prior.
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Laura said her dad had spoken to two different builders but said he "liked" the tradesman from AMAC. She added: "The original quote was £12,000 but they added some things on and it went to £19,000, which was fine."
Laura alleges the builder initially said he would have the job done "in a few weeks".
David paid £7,000 to AMAC Building Ltd on October 27, followed by instalments of between £2,000 and £4,000 in November and December.
Laura said there was little progress on the project between October and December. She added: "He did actually get rid of the asbestos but that's the last thing that was done to any standard. He then started showing up less and less."
The ECHO has reached out to the tradesman behind AMAC for comment and while they did not send a statement, they are understood to dispute the claims.
Laura said she was close to her dad and that he was "always very trusting and kind" but he was "losing hope" towards the end.
The tradesman was eventually confronted about the job by David just before Christmas 2022. Laura said he demanded £2,000 to finish the work, but her dad "drew the line". She added: "He came to get his tools and that was the last time he was there."
Laura said Donna and David were left with no toilet access downstairs, with a toilet fitted in a room with no ceiling or floors and with bare walls. The upstairs en-suite was also left incomplete, along with the electrics in both rooms.
In January, David unfortunately fell one night on his way to the bathroom and sadly died six days later in hospital of multiple organ failure with pneumonia onset.
Laura told the ECHO she feels like the situation is a "brick wall" blocking her from getting over her dad's death and that the situation has been "tough" on the family.
She added: "The garage is just full of stuff now. My mum wants it completed to some standard because it's a tip. It's been difficult. Everything's changed and I think it's been a tough year for her and all of us."
After speaking to Citizens Advice, Laura sent the builder an email on behalf of her mum offering to resolve the matter out of court and demanding a refund of £18,000 by March 31, 2023. However, neither she or Donna have received a reply or any money back.
Laura has contacted the police but claim they told her 'it's nothing to do with them'. She added: "I've looked into legal advice but I'm unsure how much it's going to cost. At this point, it's not about recouping money. It's the fact he's still on Gumtree."
According to Companies House, AMAC Design & Build Bespoke Building Company Ltd was incorporated in July 2022 and is still listed as 'active'.
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