A 70-year-old pensioner from Kettering, Northamptonshire, says he has been left unable to trust anyone after losing £17,000 to a cowboy builder. Eric Jordan was cold-called in October 2024 by a builder who pointed out a loose ridge tile on his roof and offered to fix it for £3,000.
After completing the roof repair, the builder allegedly carried out additional work without permission, damaging the bathroom ceiling and leaving the house in a 'right state'. Despite the work being incomplete, the builder demanded £17,000, which Mr Jordan paid using most of his retirement savings, forcing him to continue working.
The builder later returned demanding an extra £10,000 in cash, which Mr Jordan refused. He has not heard from the builder since. Mr Jordan believes the botched job worsened his health; he suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was hospitalised for a week in November 2024, which he attributes to stress and dust from the work.
His partner, Lorna Campbell, 69, said she has been left feeling 'stressed' and 'hates my life because of what they did'. Police informed the couple that Trading Standards had received multiple complaints about the builder in the area and advised them to report any further contact.
