A Belfast builder has been sentenced to community service after failing to complete two house extensions to a professional standard…
Peter Hales, who was trading as 858 Building Services of Parklands, Belfast, was accused of undertaking substandard building work on two separate properties.
The first complainant paid Hales £25,500 to build a two-storey extension. Hales was given large advances for the work, however, the work was so bad the householder and his family were forced to move into rented accommodation. According to an independent report, around £15,000 worth of work was completed by Hales.
The second complainant had plans drawn up and approved by Building Control. These were provided to Hales. However, he failed to follow the document. Instead, he replaced a block wall with a stud wall without checking if the structure was sound with a structural engineer or building control. He also failed to stick to the agreed work or the payment schedule. The complainant had to pay another builder to rectify and finish the job.
The two complainants from Belfast and Coagh, County Tyrone, brought their cases to Trading Standards Service.
Lisa Mallon, of the Trading Standards Service said: “There is evidence of a trader who appears to under quote the price of the job to ensure he secures the contract.
“He failed twice to follow plans approved for the clients by building control and walked away from the jobs without finishing the scheduled work, despite having made a profit.
“The victims in this case suffered a great deal of financial and emotional stress as a result of Mr Hales’ actions.”
Hales was sentenced to 100 hours of community services and was order to pay £2,000 compensation.
