A couple has been left devastated and £26,000 out of pocket after a "complete bodge job" by so-called professionals from Checkatrade turned their "dream home" into a nightmare, with a leaking roof full of holes. Joe and Michelle Pentony, hailing from Darwen, Lancashire, forked out £9,000 for what they thought would be a thorough roof repair on their newly purchased abode in February 2024, following the discovery of damp that had slipped through the initial survey.

However, Joe recounts that within a mere six months post-repair, which was conducted by a firm boasting Checkatrade approval and based in Ellesmere Port, their roof began to shed tiles alarmingly. Upon further examination, it was revealed that the slates were never properly affixed, leading to water inundating their walls, causing mould in the bedrooms of their teenage twins Josh and Katie-Ann, and extensive water damage throughout the property.

The Pentonys, having already invested Joe's £10,000 inheritance from his late father into the botched repairs, were then slapped with an additional £18,000 bill to rectify the shoddy workmanship of these "cowboy" builders. Despite receiving a meagre £1,000 compensation from Checkatrade for the subpar work and seeing the roofer expelled from the service, the family has resorted to setting up a GoFundMe page in a bid to alleviate their financial burden.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Joe said: "It was just a complete bodge job." He added, expressing disbelief at the situation, "I've always considered myself to be sensible and at least intelligent enough not to be scammed... but it can happen to anybody." Joe also noted how convincingly the builders presented themselves, saying, "They were so convincing, they came in with all paperwork, they looked the part. (Checkatrade) obviously don't do their homework."

Joe and Michelle became proud homeowners of a house in Darwen in July 2023, initially feeling as though they had "walked into a dream home." However, when autumn arrived bringing with it stormy weather, Joe began noticing damp patches and mould concealed behind cupboards – soon realising that there were holes in the roof requiring urgent repairs.

Joe revealed that they sought estimates from several local roofers but were taken aback by one quote of £25,000, especially having just commenced payments on their new mortgage. "We kept shopping around, as you do, and then it was suggested to me to use Checkatrade, because they've got reputable roofers," Joe explained.

They managed to find a roofer who proposed to fix the damage at a significantly lower cost of £4,500 by merely patching up the damage, instead of reconstructing the entire roof. However, Joe said the roofer subsequently doubled this initial estimate to £9,000, claiming the job was larger than initially anticipated.

For Joe, the news that the repairs could be carried out for less than £10,000 was "music to my ears," given that his late father, who passed away in February 2023, had left behind just enough money to cover the work. The task was completed in a mere five days without the need for scaffolding. "I questioned it lots, but they were showing me more and more paperwork, guarantees etc," Joe recalled.

"He said my lads have been doing this job for years – they'll be up and down in no time." Despite appearing "perfect" initially, within six months "slates started sliding off the roof." When the pair enlisted the help of a handyman, they were met with a bleak diagnosis.

In an attempt to cut corners and expedite the task, the roofer had only fastened every third tile, depending on pressure to hold the rest in place – and had neglected to secure the ridge tiles entirely. Adding insult to injury, Joe revealed that "all the good slates" were swapped out for ones "you could snap in your hands." They were advised against parking their vehicles outside the property due to the risk of the roof "sliding off" from a mere "gust of wind."

"Then, all the ridge tiles fell off, everything started slipping. We were experiencing leaks in every ceiling, mould was reappearing, and all the walls were soaked. The roofer was unreachable – I couldn't get a hold of him."

An independent surveyor dispatched by Checkatrade corroborated the handyman's evaluation. "He was astounded that this roofing company had come out and done such a job," said Joe. "But their policy only covers up to £1,000 in compensation, which we did receive."

With mould proliferating in their two children's rooms, and water seeping into the wall cavities, the couple found themselves "were in dire straits." Treasured items, including mementos from their children's christenings, had to be discarded due to water damage. Water had also infiltrated plug sockets, causing chaos with the house's electrical systems.

"It's drying now, but it could have sparked a fire," warned Joe. The couple faced the tough choice of securing an £18,000 loan to finance a new roof, which was finally completed in mid-February 2025. Joe expressed his frustration, recounting how the new roofer labelled the previous workmen as "cowboys."

Now with a secure roof over their heads, the family is still reeling from the financial and emotional toll, with Joe admitting that their future plans are now on ice. "We're going to have to cancel everything, and any plans we have for the next few years are going to be on hold," he lamented. He also voiced his disappointment, saying, "We shouldn't have had to do this because we moved into a home that was supposed to be a beautiful forever home."

In a stark illustration of their budget cuts, Joe quipped, "I'm on 30p custard creams for biscuits now – just beans and sausages." After losing £9,000 on the botched job, spending £18,000 on the replacement roof, and receiving only a £1,000 refund from Checkatrade, the couple finds themselves £26,000 out of pocket. They've turned to GoFundMe in hopes of recouping some of their financial losses.

"(The roofers) should be ashamed... they don't know the repercussions it can have on families," Joe remarked bitterly. The situation has even led them to consider selling their home, a topic that dominates their nightly conversations. Joe criticised Checkatrade, suggesting that the company's vetting process is inadequate.

"Before going ahead with anything from Checkatrade or any other company, get a second opinion from a reputable local builder," he advised. He warned against cut-rate deals, cautioning, "If it's too cheap, that's definitely going to be something dodgy." The roofer in question, whose identity is withheld for legal reasons, has been struck off Checkatrade's list of approved tradespersons.

A spokesperson from Checkatrade explained: "At Checkatrade, our priority is ensuring consumers have access to reputable and reliable tradespeople." They also disclosed the company's brief tenure on their site: "This member joined our platform in February 2024. Like all our members, they were subject to our rigorous vetting process, which includes up to 12 checks to maintain our high standards."

Detailing the company's removal, the spokesperson added: "The consumer requested a quote from this member in March 2024. As we actively monitor our members on an ongoing basis, this trader was removed from Checkatrade as part of our Deactivation Policy in June 2024."

In a sign of their customer care commitment, they said: "When the consumer contacted us in November 2024, we were happy to honour the Guarantee Claim for substandard work." Those wishing to support the affected family can find their fundraising page at: gofundme.com.