Released:
4:05 p.m. December 12, 2021
Updated:
16:49 December 12, 2021
“We just want to have a normal Christmas party at home.”
This is a heartfelt request from a family living in a “horror house” after craftsmen left their property in dire condition after more than six weeks of renovation for £ 7,500.
After the craftsmen left their home in Bradwell, near Great Yarmouth, Charmaine Claxton and Colin Havard were shocked to discover flooring, leaking radiators and showers, an unfinished kitchen, hanging sockets, protruding nails, and poor tile and skirting boards.
Sockets were hanging out
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
The couple’s four children, Heathcliff, 8, Violet, 6 and twins Azrael and Varian, 5, are not allowed down the stairs due to their condition in their home in Swallow Close.
Colin Havard and Charmaine Claxton with their children Heathcliff, Violet and twins Azrael and Varian
– Photo credit: Anthony Carroll
But shortly before Christmas, the family got a glimmer of hope thanks to kind-hearted local craftsmen.
An example of the processing performed
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
Craftsmen and businesses have offered services to the family such as putting new locks, repairing walls, and donating tiles and paint.
Ms. Claxton, 40, said: “We are so grateful to these lovable artisans and companies for coming to our rescue and giving us and our children a glimmer of hope that we might make our house home again for Christmas. They are all heroes. “
An example of the bad work that has been done
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
The family had stayed away during the original work, but had looked for the artisans every day and raised concerns about their progress.
After the craftsmen left, the workmanship was in full condition, including uncleaned layers of dust, rubble under all kitchen units and living room walls in a “terrible condition”.
An example of the work left behind
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
Ms. Claxton said, “We have returned to a house of horror.
“We worked hard to save £ 7,500 on work and it stayed in utter chaos.
Colin Havard and Charmaine Claxton in their unfinished kitchen
– Photo credit: Anthony Carroll
“Unfortunately we are still a long way from getting the house right, we urgently need the help of skilled craftsmen.
An uneven surface of the ground
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
“I’m very limited in what I can do and Colin is struggling with his broken arm.
“We’re so close to Christmas now and we just want to make it a home again and be able to decorate our children.”
Left loose sockets in the kitchen
– Credit: Charmaine Claxton
Anyone who can help the family can contact us via email at anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk
– How traders and businesses have gathered around the family
Ms. Claxton said, “Ruth and Andy Joostee from Iceni Home Improvements have kindly sent two co-workers, Tommy and David, to help repair some of the walls and paint them.
“Saul’s Flooring came over to try to get some of our LVT floors right.
“Matthew Woods of Woods Plumbing and Heating has come to repair our damaged radiators and fix the heating system.
“Lopes Home Improvements came by and plastered a wall that could no longer be saved.
“Dale Cockrill from Cockrill Home Improvements has changed our locks.
“Topps Tiles kindly donated new kitchen tiles to replace those that will all need to be removed.
“The Dulux Decorator Center donated paint to us.
“The tiler Jeff Rowland said he would come after Christmas and redesign our kitchen tiles.
“And Drew from Priory Kitchens & Interiors was a wealth of useful advice and support.”
