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Pictured: Builder demolishes own £15,000 handiwork after customer fails to pay bill
Last updated at 00:52am on 24.04.08This is how a builder got his own back after a customer failed to pay for a conservatory and porch he built her at a cost of £15,000.
Nigel Gray sent in his workmen to demolish the porch with sledgehammers and dismantle and remove the conservatory.
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Builder Nigel Gray: ' I'd rather this than let her enjoy the fruits of my unpaid labour'
It took Mr Gray, 44, a week to do the work at the council house in Shoreham, West Sussex, just before Christmas.
But the customer, Anita Dovey, missed payment deadlines, and according to Mr Gray she even claimed her husband had died to avoid paying, even though he lives at the three-bedroom house.
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It's going: One of Nigel Gray's builders knocks down a non-paying customer's porch
It's going: He methodically hammers away at the structure taking down its two supporting walls
It's going: Within minutes starting the job, the porch's roof starts to fall
It's gone: The roof comes crashing down
Realising he was never going to get the money, Mr Gray, of Lancing, West Sussex, decided on direct action.
He said: "I am smashing it down because there is no way I am going to be mugged off by anyone.
"The workmanship is top quality and it breaks my heart to see it being smashed down. But it just had to be done.
"It cost me around £1,500 to take this all down and the whole thing has cost me about £22,000 with materials and wages."
Mother-of-three Mrs Dovey remained inside the house while the demolition took place. Afterwards she left the property refusing to comment.
A council spokesman said: "Council tenants are allowed to make improvements to their home. Unfortunately, this private agreement has gone wrong.
"Mrs Dovey will be billed for the cost of putting the property back to its original state."
Tenant Anita Dovey leaves in silence
Reader views (13)
Full marks to Nigel Gray. As a small works builder,I wish that I had done the same myself to a similar type of client who, by not paying me, caused me the loss of everything that I once had.
He got his dream home for nothing at the cost to myself of losing my own.
- Colin Peters, Bradford West Yorkshire
We had Nigel to install windows, doors, conservatory and a porch. Nigel does a superb and wonderful job and he prides himself on his work.
I fully agree with the action he has taken to demolish everythin, quite right too, he had done a fair days work so he should get a fair days' pay.
I too noticed the expensive looking car on the driveway, it makes you wonder if that will be repossessed for non payment.
Good on you Nige, I would recommend you to everybody.
- A Very Satisfied Customer, Worthing West Sussex
I'd be surprised if she had 22p to her name, let alone 22K by the look of her.
- Neil Grinsell, London
The builder was charging £15,000 for that pile of rubbish - I'm not surprised Anita Dovey refused to pay.
- Annie Shawcross, Oxford, UK
I cannot avoid the feeling that any investigation into the Dovey finances will confirm a history of dependency on benefits (EG us). There seems to be a 'look' about these people. As for the decent looking car, probably well ring-fenced from any claims. I am sure the builder would have taken Dovey to court if he felt there was any chance of a result, doubtless she would (or may already have) filed for bankruptcy.
Actions speak louder than pointless words - well done!
- Mark, Bournemouth England
Well done Nigel! My husband is an engineer in the building industry and is owed lots of money that he will never see! Why is there no protection for builders and the like who are owed money? We need a patio built and are having trouble finding a builder, I would employ Mr Gray in an instant (price permitting) a no nonsense man with bottle...well done.
- Maria, steyning sussex
Regarding taking her to court, I would point out to the person who commented, less than 2 out of 5 cases adjudicated in Small Claims court get paid out. The person gets a CCJ against their name if they fail to pay after a certain time but nobody enforces the judgement. Reclaiming your money after a judgement in your favour involves hiring bailiffs and private enforcement companies and is often unsuccessful.
- Real, London
Cheap cow - serves her right!
- Kate, Surrey
Good for him.
- Real, London
I can't help thinking it would have been easier to take her to court to reclaim the money, the car in her driveway looks to be worth at least a couple of thousand.
- Giles Anmepiles, Streatham
The builder is spot on here, if he was in my area I'd have him in tomorrow to do work for me. Freeloaders like Dovey should be evicted by the council - it's just a surprise she didn't get the work paid for through claiming benefits!
- Jimbob, Orpington
A council house is owned by the taxpayer. Why are tenants allowed to make whatever alterations they want? A private landlord wouldn't allow it. From the council's point of view, of course, it's only public money, so what does it matter? Is this familiar-looking (in a generic sense) young lady and her 'disappeared' husband on benefits, by any chance?
- Smithy, Redbridge
I am definitely not one to side with a builder BUT in this case I have to. What a vile specimen this woman is - looking at her she doesn't look as though she has £22k hanging around so she should never have enlisted the help of any builder if she could not pay. From what I can see of Mr Gray's work which was of a very high calibre, it appears that he is a true professional and I wish I could find a reliable and trustworthy builder who is able to actually do a proper job. On the other side of the coin I have had a constant nightmare or battles with workmen who are not capable of doing the job and do not take any pride in their work but still charge the earth. Good for you Mr Gray, she go no less than she deserves. I hope you demolished the conservatory as well??
- Lorna, Warwickshire
