Couple in Ilford lost £200,000 to contractor failure

A mother in North London has faced severe distress after hiring "cowboy builders" for a home renovation project. Daksha Patel and her husband, Mukand, have spent nearly £200,000 over two years, but the work remains unfinished. The couple hired a construction firm that subcontracted the job, leading to complications and delays. The Patels have been mostly living in one room of their semi-detached home, relying on kitchen facilities in an outhouse. They struggle with limited space, especially during the cold winter months. Daksha has even suffered an injury while navigating the unsafe living conditions created by the unfinished work. Initially, the renovation was expected to take six months. However, the subcontractor has demanded additional funds, making threats related to damages if not paid. Daksha has been left feeling hopeless, recalling moments of extreme stress and suicidal thoughts due to the situation. The family took a re-mortgage of £208,000 to fund the renovations, which now feel like a burden. They rented another property for a year and a half while waiting for their home to be liveable, adding to their financial strain. Despite repeated requests for help from the council and attempts to address the situation, they feel trapped without the means for legal action. Daksha has expressed her desire for better protection for homeowners against unscrupulous builders, emphasizing the stress this experience has caused her family.