A Nottinghamshire mother says she is ‘living in dust’ after a builder stopped work on her extension after charging her £30,000.
Julie Schermer (59), from Bilsthorpe says that sometimes she just sits in her house and weeps.
Midway through the construction of an extension for her fireplace, work was halted in October.
She claims the builder, Sean Gartland, took his second instalment of £15,000 and stopped, leaving half of her bottom floor in a dilapidated state.
Julie Schermer stated that sometimes she just sits in her house and weeps after working to extend and take down her fireplace. This was October.
Sean Gartland, took his second instalment of £15,000 and stopped, leaving half of Ms Schermer’s bottom floor in a dilapidated state.
‘It’s depressing,’ said Ms Schermer. “I tried to get my money, but I cannot live like this. I am living in dust.
The 59 year-old met Mr Gartland through Tradespeople Site Book a Builder.
Before the second payment was made, work started in July. However, progress slowed down.
Before the second payment was made, work started in July. However, progress slowed down.
By the end of September the extension had reached roof height, but the client was told she needed to make a second payment of £15,000 for the windows and roof tiles.
According to Ms Schermer, the builder removed the bottom part of the fireplace a week later and has never returned.
By the end of September the extension had reached roof height, but the client was told she needed to make a second payment of £15,000 for the windows and roof tiles.
According to Ms Schermer, the builder removed the bottom part of the fireplace a week later and has never returned.
He has his Chesterfield business listed at the Commercial Park. Mr Gartland claims that after suffering abuse from Ms Schermer, he brought down the job.
The 39-year-old from Derbyshire said he had been forced to delay the work due to the fuel shortage at the time, but promised he would recommence work at a later date.
He told Nottinghamshire Live, “It wasn’t that time when diesel was available.”
“The next day, I told her I couldn’t make it. But I promised myself that tomorrow I would make it. “I started receiving threats from my family as soon as the phone was turned off.”
He also said she never asked for a reimbursement.
Ms Schermer admits that planning permission wasn’t obtained for this work. However, she claims Mr Gartland informed her son that he was at another location and has blocked her number.
Following her move to the UK, last year from Holland, she described feeling ‘preyed upon’.
She said, “What he is doing isn’t very kind at all” and that he preys on other people. “I’m nearly 60, and I’m unable to obtain another mortgage.”
Martin Schermer was her husband and he called Mr Gartland a “cowboy builder”.
Martin Schermer, her husband, criticized Mr Gartland for being a cowboy builder.
He stated, “He made a mess of us and stole a lot off our money.”
“Insurance stated that they would not pay out to him because he does not have assets.”
‘So we are in deep sh**’.
We have reached out to Trading Standards for comments.