The inspiration
Why I created this platform to protect homeowners like you
We had a vision. A beautiful home transformation that would change how we lived and loved our space. We spent months planning — carefully choosing materials, finalizing a budget, and agreeing a clear timeline with a builder who seemed trustworthy.
The plan was simple: move out for four months while the work was completed. We found a nearby rental and relocated with our family, excited for what was to come. We thought we had done everything right.
The first two months were fine, timelines and milestones met. Thereafter the cracks appeared.
At first, it was minor: missed days, vague updates, delays in sourcing materials. Then came a string of excuses — poor weather, personal issues, staff shortages. The pace of work slowed. Our calls and emails became more frequent, more desperate. But progress didn’t follow.
By the time our rental lease was nearing its end — six months later — our home was far from complete. Walls, ceilings were unpainted, electrics and plumbing were unfinished, the tiling wasn’t done, and the flat roof was still exposed, with no decking or balustrades installed. We were running out of money, patience, and options.
We had no choice but to move back in.
We returned not to a dream home, but a building site. Dusty floors. Exposed wires. Rooms we couldn’t use. A kitchen we couldn’t cook in. And young children trying to make sense of the chaos around them.
It was devastating.
Worse still, I had to sack the builders. Their contract meant nothing when the work they promised — and were paid for — simply wasn’t done.
From there, we had to start again.
We began a rigorous recruitment process to find a builder who could take over and actually deliver. It wasn’t easy. After being burnt, trust doesn’t come easy. Eventually, we hired a new team to complete the brickwork, correct the sagging flat roof, and apply the decking and balustrades. But that was only part of the job.
We also had to bring in new electricians, plumbers, tilers, decorators — all while living in the house. Managing schedules. Managing mess. Managing our own stress.
In the end, the project cost us over £40,000 more than planned and dragged on for another year. What should have been a moment of joy became a long, exhausting lesson in what can go wrong when you choose the wrong builder
And that’s why I created LuxuryBuilder.co.uk.
Not just as a blog, but as a mission — to protect homeowners from the mistakes I made. To help others avoid rogue builders, poor planning, and costly surprises. To provide clear advice, trusted recommendations, and a place to get educated before committing thousands of pounds to a project.
Here, you’ll find insights based on real experiences — not marketing fluff. Whether you’re planning a loft conversion, a luxury extension, or a full-home renovation, this site is here to give you clarity, confidence, and control.
Because building your dream home shouldn’t feel like a nightmare.
You deserve peace of mind.
You deserve transparency.
You deserve builders who show up — and finish the job.
Let LuxuryBuilder.co.uk be your guide to getting it right the first time.