The victims of a cowboy builder have been left “grossly” out of pocket, with unsafe building work carried out in their homes after taking payment in advance. The loft conversion at one property was described by the building surveyor as unsafe and at real risk of “catastrophic” collapse.
Swindon builder, Raj Kumar Bagga, committed the offences while trading under the name R&L Building Solutions. He started work on a loft conversion, house extensions and other renovation work, but carried out substandard work and failed to complete the building work. The home was central to the trial at Swindon Crown Court following an investigation by Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards Department.
The council released images of the poor state in which the attic was left, which contravened the relevant Building Regulations.
Bagga admitted three charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, which took place during 2022.
The judge told Bagga that he “was not of good character” and a “cowboy builder”, who was reckless and had left his victims suffering and in misery. Bagga was handed an eight month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. The court required him to carry out 200 hours of community service and 25 days’ rehabilitation activity. In addition, he was handed a criminal behaviour order, which prohibited him from carrying out any building work in his own capacity, or any business operated by him, for ten years.
A judge can choose to suspend a prison sentence for up to two years, which means the offender does not necessarily go to prison but is given the opportunity to abide by the law and comply with any requirements set by the court, including unpaid work and being the subject of a rehabilitation activity requirement. If, during the suspended sentence term, the requirements are not complied with, or the offender is convicted of another offence, they might serve the original custodial term in addition to any sentence for the new offence.
Swindon Borough Councillor, Jim Grant, said: “This individual’s actions were reprehensible as he showed complete disregard for the trust his customers placed in him.
“They thought he was carrying out work to improve their homes, yet he destroyed their hopes and dreams, leaving behind a trail of shoddy substandard work, often incomplete.”
If you suspect your builder of carrying out substandard work at your own or neighbour’s property, ask your local Chartered Surveyor for a professional opinion and guidance over how to resolve the problem.