The couple’s £500,000 converted home has been branded the ‘ugly carbuncle of Grand Designs’ by angry neighbors

A couple’s dream home, which was rebuilt after an angry worker demolished the property two years ago, has been branded the “ugly carbuncle of Grand Designs” by angry neighbors.

The £500,000 property on Guilford Road in Leicester has been restored after it was partially demolished by a developer following a dispute over money in June 2021.

Owner Jay Kurji told how he fell out with the worker after refusing to pay him a further £3,500 before it was bulldozed while he was on holiday.

Neighbors say their quiet residential street has since been turned into a construction site as Mr Kurji struggled to rebuild his home.

And almost two years later, the four-bedroom family home is still unfinished – much to the chagrin of some residents.

Jay Kurji’s rebuilt home on Guildford Road, Leister, has been described as an ‘ugly grand design carbuncle’ by irate neighbors.

Mr Kurji told how he fell out with the worker after refusing to pay him a further £3,500 before it was bulldozed during his holiday in July 2021

Photos show how the property has undergone significant renovations but is still gated, surrounded by scaffolding with a shipping container on the driveway.

Other locals say they are unhappy that the new home’s design doesn’t match other properties, complaining that it overhangs people’s gardens.

A neighbor down the street, who asked not to be named, said: “We sympathized with him at the time but the work took too long and it was like a construction site.

“What it replaced is an ugly Grand Designs-style carbuncle that just looks completely out of place and doesn’t fit the area.

“It’s towering over other people’s plots and you’ll be able to see into other people’s gardens.

“After all the chaos we’ve had to wreak, we’re left with this eyesore monstrosity.”

Another local added: “I think it’s diabolical and the renovations have been going on for far too long.

“We are also unhappy with the design of the new house as it doesn’t match the other houses on the street.

The home in Stoneygate, Leicester was left roofless and littered with rubble in 2020 after a tradesman decided to undo work he had already done. Pictured: before (left) and after (right)

A neighbor branded the house an eyesore and said it also ruined the sidewalk as work was being done to restore it

Mr Kurji, a solutions architect for an IT firm, said the man was seeking revenge after refusing to pay the builder an extra £3,500 in 2020

The detached property on Guilford Road in Stoneygate, Leicester was left with the roof missing and debris strewn around

“Compared to the other houses in the street it is overwhelming.

“During the renovation the owner added a floor and when you look at it from the back of the house it is higher than the other houses and stands out.

“The color also makes it stand out. It’s so white and even if it was cream it would have been so much better.”

Another resident, who also declined to be named, added: “It’s not looking good and the renovations have been going on for a very long time.

“For at least the last five months, the building is finally looking like a house, but the scaffolding is still standing.

“At one point I know a neighbor told me that the owners might add a porch to the house, which a lot of people complained about.

“Because of the height of the house, a porch would mean they could see into people’s homes across the street, and nobody wanted that.”

Bot’s other residents praised Mr. Kurji for being able to rebuild the property to a good standard after his ordeal with the vengeful developer.

A view of the ruined property on Guilford Road. With debris of destruction lying in front of the house

Mr Kurji said he will contact Leicester City Council about the pavement in front of the property when he returns from holiday

Another neighbor said: “I met the owner and he’s a nice person and I think the house looks nice.

“I remember a few years ago he had problems with his builder and the builder damaged the house, but I don’t know if they solved their problems or if more grew out of it.

“I know the builder who damaged the house was hired after being recommended to him but a friend but that’s all I know.”

Mr Kurji declined to comment when approached today, but previously said: “It’s a nightmare, unfortunately I’ve picked the worst builder in the UK.

“I bought the house last year and hired a contractor to start work in February.

“We wanted a lot of work so it could be our family home for six of us.

“The work included a two-story addition, a new roof, wiring and we wanted it to be more environmentally friendly

“I was on vacation 200 miles away when all the scaffolding was taken down and the house was damaged.

“When I called the police, they said there was nothing they could do because it was an argument, not a criminal case.

“I’ve emailed Trading Standards but I’m still away so it’s difficult to sort everything out.”