'Rogue customer' website launched

Nigel Gray demolished his handiwork in April

A builder who demolished his work customers failed to pay for has set up a website to help other workmen left out of pocket.

Nigel Gray, 44, knocked down the porch and conservatory, worth £15,000, from a property in Shoreham, West Sussex.

The father-of-four and a fellow tradesman have set up the roguecustomer.com website so builders can report customers who fail to pay.

It also asks people to sign a petition calling for a change in the law.

'Big problem'

Mr Gray said: "Everyone has heard of rogue traders but I think there is just as big a problem with rogue customers out there who fail to pay for a job well done.

"I want to expose the people who are effectively ripping apart families by failing to pay their bills.

"I have had so many emails from people congratulating me on the stand I have taken, and it is apparent that there is a big problem out there."

He added: "I have been left financially on my backside, I have to shut down my limited company and I have got four staff that I don't want to get rid of but I may have to make some difficult decisions, all because I didn't get paid."

Sections on the website also allow people to report rogue contractors and invite users to sign a petition calling for a change in laws to better protect the building industry.

Mr Gray used a sledgehammer to break up the porch from Anita Dovey's home, removed the conservatory one window at a time and removed the French doors in April.

The work had been done for an agreed fee of £15,000, but Mr Gray said he had been driven to distraction by his customer's repeated failure to pay.

He said he gained permission from Adur District Council to carry out the demolition work.

Mrs Dovey declined to comment about Mr Gray's decision to demolish the conservatory and porch.