A FAMILY are still waiting for builders to complete an extension for their disabled son 20 months on.

Workmen began the project for Caroline Nodes’ disabled son Oscar in January last year, but it is still not finished.

The seven-year-old, who has a rare genetic condition called ATRX syndrome and requires round-the-clock care, was granted funds for the work at his home in Station Road, Brightlingsea, by housing charity the Guinness Trust.

The family need a downstairs bedroom and wetroom with wheelchair access.

But Ms Nodes, 40, says on the first day of the job there was a gas leak. Since then they have suffered sewage spills, warped timbers, insecure fittings and uneven windows. One doorway had to be changed 13 times.

She said: “There were so many things wrong.

“It was utter chaos, and in the meantime Oscar has missed out on a new room and all the benefits that would have.

“In the end we lost all confidence in the builders.”

A new contractor was agreed in December 2008, but the family now have to wait for more money to be approved by the charity to finish the work, which was capped at £30,000.

Ms Nodes said: “We should have been in that room six months after the build began – it’s ridiculous.

“We can see the potential. It’s going to be marvellous for us as a family. It’s just the length of time and the stress we have endured to get somebody to listen to us.

“Meanwhile, Oscar is still sleeping upstairs and we are still sitting here and there are serious problems.”

Justin King, the Guinness Trust’s area director, said: “We sincerely apologise to Ms Nodes and her family for the length of time these improvement works have taken and for the problems and inconvenience experienced.

“As they are aware, this has been mainly due to poor performance by the original contractor we appointed and a number of quite serious structural issues with the property itself, which is owned by Ms Nodes, not ourselves.

“We have removed the previous contractor from this job and appointed a new firm of the client’s choice who are doing all they can to move things along.

“However, the lack of a proper damp course in the property’s existing structure is presenting a major obstacle to complete the extension.

“We are in discussion with the family as to how best to get around this problem, as it cannot be funded from the Disabled Facilities Grant we secured on their behalf.

“We are continuing to meet with them on a weekly basis to try and find a way forward.”