A FURIOUS couple have claimed that they haven’t been able to use their conservatory for five years - despite paying ￡17,200 to have it fitted.

       Graham and Yolanda Minto, from Pegswood, Northumberland, say the unfinished building work has devastated their home and has forced them to battle with insurers to get it fixed.

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       Graham Minto first bought the conservatory in 2016 4

       But the build has left his and his wife's garden destroyed and flooded with sewage

       The couple, who have previously been foster parents, first chose the

       flush conservatory from Pennine's showroom in 2016.

       However, they have since had to endure several shoddy attempts by builders to get their dream extension erected and have been left at the “end of their tether."

       Among their grievances, the couple say their conservatory had been taken apart and put back together again after discovering that its foundations were not deep enough.

       In addition they were also met with a mouldy smell generated from poorly laid membrane as bricks, sand and cement allegedly crumbled away from the walls.

       However, their ordeal took a horrific twist for the worst after they returned from holiday to find their garden flooded with raw sewage.

       Investigations later found that builders had failed to reconnected a pipe after work had taken place – leaving a mucky mess to spew over the couple’s patio.

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       It prompted 61-year-old Graham, who works in Children's Services at Northumberland County Council, and his wife to try and claim compensation.

       "We were awarded some of the money - about ￡5,000 towards putting the

       damage to the garden right and for the report we got done from the

       structural surveyor,” he said.

       "We had to pay ￡300 for a structural engineer's report to prove the

       problem, but the chargeback was not 100% successful because the

       conservatory had a 10-year-guarentee.

       "And here we are, half way into the guarantee, and it's still not right."

       After failing to get their money back from the chargeback, Graham and

       Yolanda took their case to court, but were told they had to give the company a chance to make good of their faulty workmanship.

       "We didn't want them back, but we had no choice but to go ahead," said Graham.

       "That's when we discovered the issue with the foundations, which meant

       the whole building had to come down."

       All we want is the conservatory we were supposed to get - and paid for - five years ago,

       Graham Minto, 61

       After years of waiting they now say the conservatory has been re-erected by Pennine, but the couple are still unhappy as they say it leaks and the bifold doors still don't fit properly.

       "We are at the end of our tether with it," Graham despaired.

       "We paid in full about a week after we thought the job was finished in

       2016, and we have had nothing but problems since.

       "All we want is the conservatory we were supposed to get - and paid

       for - five years ago."

       He added: "We have been through so much grief with this, and when I do manage to speak to someone, I am told they are awaiting a part.

       "They have been awaiting the part for five years!"

       In response, Pennine Conservatories said that they recognise their shortcomings and have agreed to rebuild the conservatory from scratch.

       In a statement, they said: "Last year, we agreed with the Mintos that the original building erected in 2016 by the previous owners of Pennine Home Improvements was not up to standard, and in 2020 we rebuilt it entirely.

       "We know that there are still some minor snagging issues with the Mintos' new building, and now that we've been supplied with all of the products required, appointments are scheduled to visit and complete these by our dedicated Aftercare team under the unequalled 20-year guarantee that we offer to all new customers.”

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       Shoddy building work allegedly contributed to mould on the ceilings, Graham said 4

       He added that cracks were also visible throughout the ￡17,200 build

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