Ballyclare builder fined

Date published: 22 September 2026

He was also ordered to pay £4,000 compensation to the victim.

In a case brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS), Kyle Agnew (38) of Charles Drive, Ballyclare, was found guilty of six offences under the Fraud Act 2006, and was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in respect of each offence. 

He was also found guilty of two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, for which he was fined £500 in respect of each offence.   

The owner of the Belfast property employed Mr Agnew, who at the time was trading as KA Building Services, to build a kitchen extension.  Mr Agnew visited the property and agreed to undertake the requested work for an agreed price of £32,000.  

Mr Agnew provided a contract, which included a payment schedule.  Work began on the extension in November 2021.  By February 2022, the victim had paid a total of £31,825 but major elements of the work were still unfinished, including patio doors, windows and plumbing.  

Mr Agnew assured the victim that if they paid a further £500 he would complete the work.  Despite the victim paying this final amount, Mr Agnew failed to return to the property to complete the work, leaving the victim with a shell of an extension which was wide open to the elements.

Philip McLean of the TSS said: “This case demonstrates the serious harm caused when a trader takes substantial payment from a consumer and then fails to complete the agreed work. The victim was left with an unfinished extension which was exposed to the elements, despite having paid almost the full contract price. 

“We would urge consumers to ensure prior to making any payments for building work that they receive a written contract, including a detailed scope of work to be carried out and staged payment schedule, and to avoid paying large sums in advance. Trading Standards will continue to investigate and take enforcement action where traders mislead consumers or fail to meet their legal obligations.”

The TSS offers the following advice for consumers seeking to have home improvement work carried out:

•             Ask neighbours, family or friends for recommendations and, where possible, inspect work the trader has previously completed.

•             Check the trader’s name, address and contact details, and be cautious if only a mobile number or social media profile is provided.

•             Ask for references from previous customers and follow them up before agreeing to any work.

•             Get at least three written quotes so you can compare price, timescales, materials and the scope of the work.

•             Insist on a detailed written contract before work begins, including the agreed price, start and completion dates, materials to be used and details of staged payments.

•             Do not be rushed into making a decision and never agree to work because of pressure from a cold caller or someone who knocks at the door.

•             Avoid paying large sums up front. If a deposit is required, keep it reasonable and make sure further payments are linked to completed stages of work.

•             Keep copies of all quotes, contracts, invoices, receipts, messages and photographs of the work as it progresses.

•             Be careful when using online platforms or social media to find traders, as a trader appearing on a platform does not always mean they have been checked, approved or endorsed.

Anyone who believes they have been similarly affected should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 6262.