'He ruined my life': Leeds grandma swindled out of lifesavings by 'cowboy builder'

Yvonne Elloitt, 70, had saved up her cash for 10 years with hopes that she would one day have a 3m x 6m extension added to her living room at her home.

The pensioner was planning to start the work this coming summer when she was approached by a builder last year who, at the time, was carrying out work in her neighbour's garden.

Yvonne told him she was looking for an extension in the near future, but when he made her an offer in June last year she said she would think about it.

Two days later the builder, who also lives in Leeds, knocked on her door holding a contract and said he could complete the work in three weeks if she agreed to it.

Over the next two months he allegedly took Yvonne's life savings whilst never completing the extension as promised and leaving her backyard a “tip”.

She also said she was shown an invoice for around £9,000 worth of materials he claimed to have bought and had stored in his garden which she paid up front. But she says it was in fact a quotation; meaning the order for materials was never placed.

Yvonne has said, after raising the issue, the builder has since agreed to pay her back £13,500 for the incomplete work which he has started paying.

Yvonne said that the builder has "ruined my life” and she is now sharing her story to raise awareness about cowboy builders.

She said: "I don't even go onto that side of my house anymore because it upsets me.

"I worked hard for that money and I have nothing to show for it.

“At 70, I never imagined I’d be starting again - I can't continue living like this.

"If I can make one person stop and think before going ahead with a cowboy that would be great."

Yvonne first met the builder when she was hanging washing out in her back garden.

She said: "I told him I was saving for an extension and he then pitched to me that I would get a pensioner's discount and that if I paid cash upfront he would complete it in three weeks.

"I told him I would think about it and went on with my day."

But Yvonne claimed in the following days he turned up unannounced with a contract and a fake receipt which turned out to be a quotation including £8,500 worth of building materials.

She also claimed he said he could get started the next day if she agreed.

Yvonne signed the contract and paid the builder the money up front for what she believed was an actual material invoice.

The grandma said: "In the first week he worked three days where he dug down and laid foundations.

"Over the next two weeks he built two walls with breeze blocks and that was it."

Yvonne then said the builder kept ignoring her calls or making excuses for why he couldn't come to work and finish the extension which was supposed to have been completed.

She said: "He would say his car has broken down or that he is poorly or that he is on holiday."

Yvonne said on several occasions he returned to work and said he needed more money to buy materials like steel rods to support the ceiling, leading her to send him another £5,500.

She said: "I kept on giving him money even though there was no progress as I wanted the work completed.

"I was getting desperate for it to be done and for him to move on."

It was only when in late August - the last time she saw the builder - he came with four workmen she had never seen before who told her they could complete the work for another £7,500 but would have to start from scratch.

Yvonne said that was the moment she knew she had been "played a fool".

She said: "I felt really depressed.

"I felt stupid and that I had been done over.

"All I have is a scrap yard in my garden to show for it."

Following what happened Yvonne's daughter - who doesn't want to be named - came across another builder called Graham Nash on Google.

Graham - who runs his own business called Pinnacle builders, calls out cowboy builders on his social media pages and helps homeowners who have been affected.

Yvonne said Graham came to the house within half an hour of being contacted.

Graham has since agreed to fix Yvonne's extension if they can raise enough funds through a GoFundMe page.

He also advised her to report what happened to the police, Trading Standards, and Citizens Advice, who she said offered "no real help" when she approached them. West Yorkshire Police told her it was a civil matter.

Graham said: "The money will pay for the materials and we'll give out labour for free.

"Yvonne is 70 years old and should be enjoying peace, warmth, and security in the home she’s lived in for decades.

"Instead, she’s been left with the pain and chaos of a shattered dream.

"This isn’t about profit, it’s about dignity, and it’s about restoring a safe home and restoring faith."

Yvonne has said Graham has been a "godsend" and has given her hope for the future.

You can visit Yvonne's GoFundMe page by clicking here.

The builder has declined to comment after being approached on multiple occasions.