Title: Beware of Builder Fadi Al Helal (FRAUD ALERT): A Costly Lesson in Trust and Integrity
Renovating your home should be an exciting process, filled with the promise of improving your living space. However, my experience with builder Fadi Al Helal (Phone Number: 99974730, VAT Number: 05584467K) turned into an absolute nightmare. What was meant to be a straightforward home renovation ended in unfinished and very bad work for the roofing and tiling costing more than €20,000 in unfinished work, broken promises, and the theft of an additional €4,000 down payment for aluminum windows, kitchen and water tank stand. I want to share my experience to caution others against making the same mistake.
At first, Fadi’s team demolished parts of the house kitchen and removed the old windows, which seemed like progress. However, after that initial burst of activity, things came to a halt. Days turned into weeks with no sign of the aluminum windows or kitchen fittings that I had paid for. Every time I asked Fadi for updates, he came up with excuses: issues with the supplier, delays in shipment, or problems with his team. I have also learned that he left his team of builders unpaid as well.
As weeks passed, it became clear that Fadi had no intention of fulfilling his promises. Deadlines came and went with no progress. I repeatedly tried to get answers, but communication became increasingly difficult. Sometimes he would ignore my calls altogether. When he did respond, he assured me the windows and kitchen materials were “on their way” and that the work would be completed “next week.” After a few months he said that he will return the money which he has also missed 4 deadlines for that so far with childish excuses.
The Theft of My €4,000 Down Payment
The worst part of this ordeal was realizing that Fadi had outright stolen my money and has no intention to return it. The €4,000 that was supposedly for aluminum windows and kitchen upgrades was never used for those purposes. After speaking to other contractors, I learned that Fadi’s pricing for materials was likely inflated, and it’s doubtful he ever ordered the items in the first place with no intention of finishing the job or returning my money.
What made this experience even more distressing was that Fadi’s actions were not only unprofessional but also criminal. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, he simply vanished without returning our money back for the undelivered windows and kitchen.
Aftermath: Cleaning Up Fadi’s Mess
I had no choice but to hire a different, more reliable contractor to finish the job and to fix all his mistakes that added to additional expenses. Doing the work twice basically.
Although I have filed a formal complaint and am considering legal action against Fadi, recovering the stolen money will be a long and stressful process. In the meantime, the entire experience has been a painful reminder of how crucial it is to thoroughly vet a builder before trusting them with your home—and your money.
Conclusion: A Warning About Fadi Al Helal
My experience with Fadi Al Helal (Phone Number: 99974730, VAT Number: 05584467K) has been nothing short of a disaster. His unprofessional work, false promises, lack of communication, and blatant theft of the additional €4,000 payment have caused immense frustration, financial loss, and emotional stress. If you are considering hiring him for any renovation work, I urge you to reconsider.
I hope my story serves as a warning to others and prevents anyone else from becoming a victim of his unethical behavior. Renovating your home is a significant investment, and choosing the right contractor is key to ensuring a smooth, stress-free process. I’ve learned the hard way that hiring a fraud like Fadi Al Helal can cost far more than just money—it can steal your peace of mind.
Rashid Alton
