Devizes family's 'nightmare' after building firm folds

Matt and Emma Groom’s home in Avon Road, Devizes, was halfway through a major construction project when their contractor Obsidian Construction (SW) Ltd informed them they were entering liquidation in August.

The works, which began in April and were due to be finished by September, were intended to extend and improve the family home after a fire caused damage to their conservatory in 2021.

But this “bombshell” left Mr and Mrs Groom and their two children living in a “structurally unsafe” house, most of which is still a building site.

The family has no kitchen, and the living room, where the family of four and their dog are forced to cook and live, is the only downstairs room still in use.

The Grooms have been living out of their living room, the only downstairs room in use (Image: Newsquest)

Their daughter’s bedroom has been knocked through while dust and mess remain throughout the house.

Mr Groom said: “We can’t use anything downstairs except one room, there are boxes and things everywhere to try and accommodate everything.

“It’s been devastating, the children have nowhere to do their homework, we have to cook in the living room and wash up in the bath.

“It’s not easy, it’s a nightmare. It’s the kind of thing you read about or see on the TV, but you never in your wildest dreams imagine you could find yourself stuck in that position.”

The family was charged over £150,000 for the project, and they estimated they have lost around £60,000 on uncompleted works which they do not expect to get back.

Obsidian Construction (SW) Ltd, which was headed up by Joshua Matthews and based in Westbury, reportedly told the Grooms the company folded on August 11.

The construction firm was eventually placed into voluntary liquidation on November 20 after months of limbo for the family.

One of the bedrooms has been knocked through (Image: Matt Groom)

A statement of affairs on Companies House showed Mr Matthews’ business owed over £73,000 to multiple creditors.

Restructuring firm Begbies Traynor confirmed Neil Vinnicombe and Paul Wood of Begbies Traynor (Central) LLP have been appointed joint liquidators.

The family says they have been put through months of stress by the experience and feel that Mr Matthews left them in an “unsafe” position.

They also believe a number of the works that were completed during the four-month construction project were not done to an acceptable standard.

Mrs Groom added: “The knock-throughs happened two days before they disappeared and left us with massive holes in the house.

“It’s so unsafe, the bathroom and our son’s bedroom were left in a mess as well… building control told us the jobs hadn’t been done properly.

“We’ve been through every legal avenue but there is no way to guarantee getting any money back, the law needs to change because it doesn’t protect us.”

The Grooms set up a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to move construction forward and have received £8,000 in donations.

Much of the house remains a building site (Image: Newsquest)

Work has since started on fixing the issues in the home after local tradespeople such as DB Bricklaying and Gaiger Bros offered their services.

It is hoped the house will be structurally safe and watertight before Christmas, although this will not provide any more liveable space.

After seeking quotes from other recommended builders, Mr and Mrs Groom were told it could cost between £80,000 and £90,000 to complete the rebuild and rectify any potential errors.

The Grooms wished to thank the Devizes community for the help they have offered throughout the ordeal, with neighbours pitching in to do tasks such as reheating meals or washing and drying clothes.

Obsidian Construction (SW) Ltd did not respond to a request for comment.