Builder Ordered to Compensate Couple After Unsafe Extension Work
A builder who caused extensive damage to a couple's home after being paid £44,000 to complete an extension, and subsequently had the couple arrested, has been ordered to pay £85,000 in compensation.
Steve Figg, 35, left Rob and Lucy Davies’ property in Langdon Hills, Basildon, Essex, in a dangerous state that risked collapse in December 2023.
Lucy Davies, 38, told Chelmsford Magistrates' Court their lives were "overshadowed by complete horror, despair and chaos" as their dream project fell apart.
Figg, residing on Milton Road, Stanford-le-Hope, admitted to 22 breaches of building regulations and received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
District Judge Christopher Williams described the work as "unsafe, badly executed and repeatedly non-compliant with building regulations."
Couple Hired Builder Through Social Media Advertisement
The Davies family, having seen Figg’s work promoted on social media, engaged him to construct a rear extension featuring a kitchen and an open-plan living area.
However, the project was left incomplete and in disrepair, with the couple left without a kitchen, running water, or back doors. This situation allowed rats to enter the property, causing distress to their three children.
"Your home is your safe space and to have this ripped apart with no timeline of when you can have it back is mental torture," Davies told the court.
Work was halted by Basildon Council's building control team two months after commencement in October 2023.
In total, the couple incurred £28,000 in expenses to secure the property following the builder's abandonment.
Builder Ignored Council Orders and Misled the Couple
Figg, who operated Figg Construction Ltd, disregarded multiple council orders to cease work, falsely informing the couple that he had obtained planning permission.
A council surveyor identified numerous issues, including unstable foundations and ineffective insulation.
Peter Cruickshank, prosecuting, stated:
"He [Figg] not only downed tools and walked away, but he got the police involved."
Couple Arrested Following Builder’s Complaint
Essex Police arrested Rob and Lucy Davies after Figg accused them of "harassing" him regarding the extension work, the court heard.
Figg also told officers he wished to kill the couple but was not detained.
The police later apologized to the Davies family, who were held separately in custody for 22 hours overnight.
"We had our mobile phones seized, were put on bail for six months and treated like criminals - at a time when we were living in horror," Davies told the judge.
Builder Expresses Regret but Denies Being a Cowboy
Figg, representing himself, expressed remorse for the situation, stating:
"I'm not a liar, I'm not a conman. I made mistakes and I am sorry."
He claimed the project was operating at a loss with no remaining funds but denied allegations of being a "cowboy builder."
Judge Condemns Builder’s Work and Orders Monitoring
Sentencing Figg, District Judge Christopher Williams remarked:
"Is there really any other description of the situation? This is the situation you read about in the news and think, 'How can somebody be so incompetent?'"
Figg was also mandated to wear an electronically monitored tag for six months.
The court’s decision includes the compensation order of £85,000 to the Davies family for the damages and distress caused.
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