A builder transformed a family's home into what they describe as a 'death trap on stilts' in Leeds, West Yorkshire, leaving them £125,000 out of pocket before disappearing. Ryan Ward, 37, and his wife—who wishes to remain anonymous—had hoped to turn their three-bedroom semi-detached house into their 'forever home'.
The Dream Renovation Turns Sour
The couple moved into the property in 2021 and spent three years saving £70,000 for renovations to accommodate their growing family. Plans included excavating their 30-square-metre cellar, adding a 16-square-metre extension, and landscaping the garden. In January 2024, they began contacting builders, aiming to complete the work by year's end.
Mr Ward received quotes ranging from £120,000 to £150,000, but one builder offered £95,000—a deal they accepted. Work began in July 2024, but over the following year, the home became 'mice infested' and 'structurally unsafe' for the family, including a pregnant wife and three-year-old son.
Structural Nightmare
The builder eventually filed for bankruptcy, leaving the job unfinished and costing the family £125,000. They had to borrow an additional £30,000 from friends and family for emergency repairs. The builder knocked down the outside cellar wall and used Acrow props to support the house, which Mr Ward later learned were incorrect and unsafe for their 40-tonne home.
Despite the builder claiming the site was 'safe, properly propped and inspected' and that he worked in 'good faith', Mr Ward described living with the 'terrifying thought' that the house could collapse. 'He put my family at risk, basically making us live in a death trap on stilts,' he said.
Financial and Emotional Toll
The original contract was for £95,000 with a 14-week completion timeline. Delays arose due to a Party Wall Award, and work slowed. In January 2025, two cellar walls were knocked down and propped. The builder later disclosed financial issues and asked for an additional £27,000, which the couple could not afford. In August 2025, the builder informed them of his insolvency and left the site.
Mr Ward contacted other builders, but all refused, citing the property as a 'structural liability'. Eventually, philanthropist builder Graham Nash stepped in, calling it 'the worst piece of building work he had seen in his career'. Nash fixed the house for £29,000, which the family scraped together, leaving them 'financially unstable'.
Current Status
The house is now stable after steel beams were fitted, but further work—including bathroom installation, plumbing, electricals, and redecorating—is needed. Mr Ward hopes the work can be finished by the end of the year. The original builder maintains he offered to complete the remaining structural work and that the situation was 'extremely unfortunate', citing cash flow issues and unforeseen challenges.
West Yorkshire Police investigated but dropped the case. The family now faces an uncertain future, having lost savings and borrowed heavily to fix their home.
