'Cowboy builder' slammed by furious customers who lost thousands in unfinished work

A 'cowboy' builder has 'lost everything' after his customers shared bad experiences of his service on social media and said they had lost thousands of pounds. Over the last few months, homeowners have taken to Facebook to reveal the identity of the Lancashire builder who they say has left them in the lurch when it comes to their household renovations.

Three customers told LancsLive they have been on the receiving end of "lie after lie" from builder Michael Brennan. But he says the 'unfair' comments have forced him to close his business Ruby Constructions and Renovations Ltd based in Bamber Bridge.

Mr Brennan claims comments about his company posted in a Facebook group after a few unfortunate experiences have 'blown everything out of proportion'. One customer, Brendan Conlin, 56, from Lostock Hall, planned for an extension at the side of his home and says he agreed to pay £12,400 with Mr Brennan's company.

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A three-stage payment plan with installments of £4,133 was set out, which Brendan agreed to, and work began on November 17, 2021. But he soon realised there were issues with the project.

He said: "He (Mr Brennan) very very quickly had the cement laid and I said to him 'surely you need to be getting the building inspector out to look at these before you lay the cement' and he said 'no no it's all alright I've sent pictures to him and he's happy with the pictures and said we can continue'.

"I'm not a builder but I used to be in the building trade - I said to him you've laid the cement but where are the drain pipes. He said 'when the concrete's dried we can cut the channel out and bury the pipe in' I thought surely not. I rang