My home has been left in a mess by builders

11:47am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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By Lauren Rogers »

A PENSIONER says mess created by builders has left him heartbroken.

Donald Smith, aged 76, spent five hours cleaning up after contractors employed by Worcester Community Housing (WCH) began refurbishing his kitchen and bathroom.

"It's beyond my belief," said Mr Smith, close to tears. I've never seen my house so untidy. I just keep thinking about my late wife. I'm glad she's not here to see it."

Mr Smith has lived in Stallard Road, St John's, for 36 years and regularly helps neighbours fight for better services, from road surface improvements to felling of trees.

He said the mess left after the home improvement work, which began on Thursday, May 15, was diabolical. A spokeswoman for WCH said a kitchen takes 12 days on average to complete, but she could not give a completion date for Mr Smith's work.

"If I'm honest, I'm heartbroken," he said.

"I always have visitors and I had friends round on Sunday, but there was no where for them to even sit. The builders didn't even bring dust sheets. You should see the state of my floor. I was up until 8pm on Thursday cleaning up after them. They left the units outside; nails and rubbish all over the path.

"I just don't know what I've done to deserve this."

The kitchen units, including the sink, were ripped out on Thursday, forcing Mr Smith to wash up in his bathroom and unable to cook hot meals.

He has had to empty his cupboards and pile items in his front room until new units are installed.

A representative from WCH visited Mr Smith to talk through the improvement works in detail and to allay his concerns.

Head of property investment Sam Farrell said: "We understand completely that home improvement works on such a large scale can be both very stressful and very messy. We will ensure that a customer liaison officer from our partnering contractor visits the property each day to make sure Mr Smith is comfortable with the work being done.

"We have also spoken to our partnering contractor doing the work to make sure they maintain acceptable standards of cleanliness and tidiness and that they treat Mr Smith's home with the respect and care it deserves."