I was recently called out to a heartbreaking situation where an elderly customer had been extremely taken advantage of by her neighbour’s builders. The works carried out by these so-called “cowboy builders” had left her property in a devastating state, facing freezing temperatures and gale-force winds due to the reckless removal of parts of her roof and sections of the property. To make matters worse, these works were done without her prior consent and were causing significant structural damage—yet the builders had the audacity to claim it was not their fault.
The property itself had some pre-existing issues—mainly wear and tear and damage to the soffits and fascia boards from external elements (exacerbated by squirrels, of all things!). However, these were not the cause of the serious issues now plaguing the property. The real problem stemmed from the builders’ incompetence. They had partially removed the roof and created huge cracks in load-bearing walls, effectively compromising the entire structure of the property.
This left a vulnerable, elderly widow in the cold and exposed during the peak of winter, which is utterly unacceptable. The frustration I felt about this situation was intense—not only for the disregard for her safety but for the incompetent and malicious behaviour of the builders. She had tried to liaise with them and the neighbour, only to face threats of violence and further damage to her home.
This job wasn’t just another survey to me; I took it personally. I couldn’t help but think of the woman as a grandmother or relative, and it spurred me on to act with compassion and empathy. I carefully scoured the property, documenting every millimetre of damage caused by the builders. The findings were clear—her legal case now had all the evidence needed to win, and she could finally stand up for her rights.
I take pride in jobs like this, not only because of the technical expertise required but also because it’s about doing the right thing for the people who truly need it. My approach was empathetic, listening to her concerns, understanding the impact on her life, and then working meticulously to set things right.
This wasn’t just a job—it was a mission to help someone in need and ensure that justice was served. It’s what I’m here for. Another customer who can now take action and restore their home—and I couldn’t be prouder to have played my part. 👏
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