Building work incomplete multiple victims

[joeh]

Last year we suffered at the hands of a builder who we instructed to carry out works at our home to include an extension, removal of a wall, leveling of flooring and to install a new kitchen.

The work started well and progressed as expected in month one before things slowed dramatically in the following months. The net result was that they didn't return and became impossible to reach yet alone communicate with leaving us with a shell and a home we couldn't move back in to.
We spoke to numerous friends and family and after a chance encounter with a neighbour whos in the Police it was suggested that i submit the case to 'Action Fraud' after a 9 month wait they decided they couldn't assist with the case.
I've invested hundreds of hours into researching the case and the builders and eventually traced 8 other families who have all suffered at the hands of the same firm. I was astonished and in talking to them all we have even worked out how they operate and essentially lure you in. I am at the point where i need to seek some direction with what to do next as the collective loss is over £100k.
Any advice on the matter would be hugely appreciated, we realise that they are a Limited company but with all the information at our disposal feel they need to be pursued, stopped and bought to justice.

Kindest regards Joe.

[ostell]

Local Trading Standards as a start

[joeh]

Local Trading Standards as a start

Hi Ostell
Thanks for the comment. Yes the very first thing i did was to report this to trading standards as that was part of the procedure outlined by them.
The responses from the builders concerned were unsatisfactory so the letters and eventual threat of legal action had no effect.
The reason ive posted on here is to explore other angles and ideally find someone whos specialism is in the area of cowboy builders.

Regards Joe

[QCKate]

Can you give a clue as to who the builder is eg location or initials? I am in a similar situation.

[Guest]

This is common practice with builders. My experience. I employed a firm of Cowboy Builders, to erect a small building for £15K (This was many years ago) so work starts, and the usual cry. We now need half of the payment, I paid, they duly went on there merry way, with half of a wall built, the partners had a dispute, low and behold one turns up to complete the job, I told him I would pay the balance once he completed the building, well he did, not as was promised as the roof was not as requested shoddy material roof chipboard, timbers, not up to the job, but its up, we had to replace all roof after two years but the lesson is NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE if the builder cannot complete a job financially don't employ them. And last of all our Grandaughter had work
done in the house they had just purchased, every part she needed to be replaced or repaired was written and the builder had to sign for the price to be paid and completed on time, the builder eventually lost money as he underquoted for the jobs, but he had to complete as she had not paid in advance (Grandaughter is a manager for Mortgage Co.And has seen it all.)

[joeh]

Can you give a clue as to who the builder is eg location or initials? I am in a similar situation.

Hi Kate.
Gladly they were called Lite Construction and Future lite run by Ian Roy and Steven Aggett based down here in Devon.
We lost £10/12k and ive traced 8 other families who i know have fallen victim to them totalling £100k +.

[joeh]

This is common practice with builders. My experience. I employed a firm of Cowboy Builders, to erect a small building for £15K (This was many years ago) so work starts, and the usual cry. We now need half of the payment, I paid, they duly went on there merry way, with half of a wall built, the partners had a dispute, low and behold one turns up to complete the job, I told him I would pay the balance once he completed the building, well he did, not as was promised as the roof was not as requested shoddy material roof chipboard, timbers, not up to the job, but its up, we had to replace all roof after two years but the lesson is NEVER PAY IN ADVANCE if the builder cannot complete a job financially don't employ them. And last of all our Grandaughter had work
done in the house they had just purchased, every part she needed to be replaced or repaired was written and the builder had to sign for the price to be paid and completed on time, the builder eventually lost money as he underquoted for the jobs, but he had to complete as she had not paid in advance (Grandaughter is a manager for Mortgage Co.And has seen it all.)

Thanks Archie.

Yes i absolutely agree and we certainly have learnt so much from this phase in our lives.
What i am now after is some support and advice on how we can move forward and recover part or all our losses difficult but i feel not impossible.

Regards

[QCKate]

Hi Kate.
Gladly they were called Lite Construction and Future lite run by Ian Roy and Steven Aggett based down here in Devon.
We lost £10/12k and ive traced 8 other families who i know have fallen victim to them totalling £100k +.

OK thanks. Unfortunately not the same bunch, I wish I could help. Good luck with your battle though.

QCK

[des8]

Looks as if they changed from LITE CONSTRUCTION to Future Lite as there was already a limited company with that registered name.

Future Lite accounts are late (due in May 2019)


So was your contract with Lite Construction or Future Lite?
When was it signed ?
If it was with lite construction did the paperwork include company registration number?

There could possibly be a case of fraud due to misrepresentation of their status, which would mean you could possibly pursue the individuals rather than the limited company (which probably has no assets) but you will have to do some more investigation into the compay status

[joeh]

Looks as if they changed from LITE CONSTRUCTION to Future Lite as there was already a limited company with that registered name.

Future Lite accounts are late (due in May 2019)


So was your contract with Lite Construction or Future Lite?
When was it signed ?
If it was with lite construction did the paperwork include company registration number?

There could possibly be a case of fraud due to misrepresentation of their status, which would mean you could possibly pursue the individuals rather than the limited company (which probably has no assets) but you will have to do some more investigation into the company status

Hi Des8
Thanks for the message on this i've since found the signed agreement and uploaded it for your attention. Feel free to take a look the contract is headed under 'Lite Construction' and its phrased as between the company 'Futurelite Ltd' and the customer, i cant say im that familiar with this so any further help is appreciated. Your suggestion of this potentially being Fraud is an interesting one and something to consider. The general consensus i've had from solicitors is that given they are a LTD company they wouldn't take the case on a no win no fee basis which for us makes progressing the case challenging.

Last year we and another 8 families all submitted our cases to the 'Action Fraud' police team for review because of the connection and same tactics felt we had a sound case for them to pursue. Sadly after around 6 months they responded advising they were not able to help me/us and advised it was something for Trading standards although i did report them to Trading standards i don't think ultimately they can do any for us?

So that's a brief overview for you, regards Joe.

[joeh]

Hi Des8
Thanks for the message on this i've since found the signed agreement and uploaded it for your attention. Feel free to take a look the contract is headed under 'Lite Construction' and its phrased as between the company 'Futurelite Ltd' and the customer, i cant say im that familiar with this so any further help is appreciated. Your suggestion of this potentially being Fraud is an interesting one and something to consider. The general consensus i've had from solicitors is that given they are a LTD company they wouldn't take the case on a no win no fee basis which for us makes progressing the case challenging.

Last year we and another 8 families all submitted our cases to the 'Action Fraud' police team for review because of the connection and same tactics felt we had a sound case for them to pursue. Sadly after around 6 months they responded advising they were not able to help me/us and advised it was something for Trading standards although i did report them to Trading standards i don't think ultimately they can do any for us?

So that's a brief overview for you, regards Joe.

Please ignore the roofing bill i hadn't realised that was attached, also the top line appears to state 'Lite' however the ink is grey so Construction is not visible.

[des8]

Just had a quick look and suggest you edit or remove the attachment as your full name & address are on public view.
Do you have the drawdown schedule as well?

Have to go out now but will be back later

[des8]

Just had another look on companies house and note that Future Lite, following a petition on 21st August 2019 were ordered wound up on 23rd Oct 2019.
because of insolvency
I'm sure this wasn't showing back in November when I noted their accounts due May 2019 were late.

So obviously no point trying to sue the company.

However your undated agreement had a start date of 29th April 2019.so possibly heading into insolvency at that time.
If you show they continued to take funds from you after the petitioning date, you may be able to show the company was trading whilst insolvent.

Now continuing to trade, despite being knowingly insolvent,(or should have known) with no chance of recovery.is wrongful trading and can leave the directors personally liable. (It is also a criminal offence, but that is of little comfort for you)

Whether or not it is worth your while trying to sue the company director I wouldn't like to guess, but if you kept your claim below £10,000 it will probably be allocated to the small claims track where recoverable costs by the losing side are very limited

[wales01man]

Does this company still exist accounts are overdue according to companies house

[des8]

They were wound up Oct 2019