Ballyclare builder sentenced over fraud offences after £32,000 extension left as ‘shell’

Tuesday 22 September 2026

A Ballyclare builder has been given a suspended prison sentence after being found guilty of six fraud offences in a case involving a Belfast homeowner who paid more than £32,000 for an extension that was left substantially unfinished.

The homeowner had agreed a £32,000 price with Kyle Agnew, 38, of Charles Drive, Ballyclare, who was trading as KA Building Services. By February 2022, £31,825 had been paid, but major elements of the project remained incomplete.

Agnew was sentenced at Belfast Magistrates’ Court to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in respect of each of the six offences under the Fraud Act 2006.

He was also found guilty of two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and fined £500 for each offence — a total of £1,000. He was ordered to pay £4,000 compensation to the victim.

Extension left exposed to the elements

The case was brought by the Trading Standards Service after the homeowner employed Agnew to build a kitchen extension at their Belfast property.

Agnew visited the property and agreed to carry out the work for £32,000, providing a contract which included a payment schedule. Work began in November 2021.

By February 2022, the homeowner had paid £31,825, despite major parts of the work remaining unfinished, including patio doors, windows and plumbing.

Agnew subsequently assured the homeowner that the work would be completed if a further £500 was paid. The payment was made, taking the total paid to £32,325, but Agnew did not return to complete the project.

Trading Standards said the homeowner was left with a “shell of an extension” which was wide open to the elements.

Trading Standards warns homeowners

Philip McLean of the Trading Standards Service 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.”

How to protect yourself when hiring a builder

Trading Standards has issued a series of precautions for consumers planning home improvement work.

It advises people to ask neighbours, family or friends for recommendations and, where possible, inspect work the trader has previously completed. Consumers should check the trader’s name, address and contact details and be cautious if only a mobile number or social media profile is provided.

References from previous customers should be requested and followed up, while at least three written quotes should be obtained to compare price, timescales, materials and the scope of the work.

Trading Standards recommends insisting 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.

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

Large upfront payments should be avoided. If a deposit is required, Trading Standards advises keeping it reasonable and ensuring further payments are linked to completed stages of the work.

Consumers should retain copies of all quotes, contracts, invoices, receipts and messages, as well as photographs of the work as it progresses.

Trading Standards also warns people to be careful when using online platforms or social media to find traders, as appearing on a platform does not necessarily mean a trader has been checked, approved or endorsed.

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