Retired couple's £65,000 garage conversion nightmare drags on for years

Their peaceful retirement turned into a nightmare of shoddy work, broken promises, and financial ruin. Now, they're left with a wrecked home—and no justice in sight.

, and Administrator

2026 March 24 . 7:02 AM

1 min read

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Retired couple's £65,000 garage conversion nightmare drags on for years

A retired couple's dream of a peaceful life in Cambridgeshire turned into years of stress after hiring a rogue builder. Tony and Sue Wade paid £65,000 for a garage conversion that was meant to take two months—but instead dragged on for three years, leaving their home in ruins.

The Wades moved to Cambridgeshire hoping for a quiet retirement. They hired BSW Construction Projects Ltd to convert their garage into a living space. The builders promised a quick job, so the couple paid £37,000 upfront.

Problems started almost immediately. The builders lacked basic skills and often failed to turn up, leaving work unfinished. The project stretched on, and the Wades paid an extra £20,000 in desperation. By the end, they had lost £65,000. The builder later admitted misusing the money, shifting it to another job instead of keeping it secure for the Wades' project. The result was a disaster: 35 defects across the property, including a poorly built garage, a half-demolished conservatory, and widespread issues inside the house. For two winters, parts of the home had no heating. The couple complained to Checkatrade, which had listed the builder. It took nine months for a response—and they received just £1,000 in compensation. The stress took a toll, with Tony now requiring medication for anxiety.

The Wades' home remains damaged, with no clear path to fixing the problems. No updates exist on BSW Construction Projects Ltd since its removal from Checkatrade in 2021. The couple's retirement plans now face uncertainty after years of disruption and financial loss.