A builder from Stanford-le-Hope has been handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after carrying out dangerous and unapproved works at a home in Langdon Hills, Basildon. Steve Figg, 35, admitted to 22 breaches of building regulations at the property, leaving the house with unstable foundations and inadequate structural support.
Following a prosecution by Basildon Borough Council, the court heard how Figg removed a loadbearing wall and incorrectly installed a steel beam without informing local inspectors. The work left the resident family without a kitchen, running water, or back doors, and surveyors later described the home’s condition as unsafe and badly executed.
District Judge Christopher Williams sentenced Figg at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on 23 April 2026. In addition to the suspended sentence, Figg must wear an electronic tag for six months, complete a 20-hour rehabilitation programme, and pay £85,000 in compensation to the homeowners. He is also barred from acting as a principal contractor for the next two years.
The council stated that this case highlights the importance of adhering to building safety rules, noting that enforcement powers have been strengthened following the Building Safety Act 2022. Residents are urged to contact the council’s building control team before starting any major structural work to ensure that all necessary inspections are carried out at each stage of the project.
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