A builder who left families with £76,100 worth of unfinished work is being investigated by Trading Standards.

Eastern Daily Press: Jojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYJojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The consumer watchdog said it was looking into complaints made against Mark Bye, from Norwich firm M.Bye & Sons Ltd.

It is encouraging anyone affected to come forward.

It comes after this newspaper revealed in September how two families were left with holes in their walls for months after Mr Bye walked off the sites, they claimed, without finishing the projects.

Sophie Leney, head of Norfolk County Council Trading Standards, said: "We are aware of complaints made about this trader and we are following up a number of lines of enquiry.

Eastern Daily Press: Kirsti Paul at her home in Thorpe St Andrew in her downstairs bathroom where builder Mark Bye has stopped the work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYKirsti Paul at her home in Thorpe St Andrew in her downstairs bathroom where builder Mark Bye has stopped the work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

"If anyone has encountered any problems with work carried out by M.Bye&Sons Ltd, or indeed any other home improvement company, we would be interested to hear from you.

"You should, in the first instance, report your concerns to the Citizens Advice consumer service as they will provide you with practical advice, and will also pass the details to us."

Last month, teacher Kirsti Paul, 48, said she paid Mr Bye £23,000 for an open plan kitchen and downstairs shower room in her home in Pound Lane, Thorpe St Andrew.

But she said she was left "stressed, worried and disappointed" after Mr Bye stopped the project, leaving her and her 10-year-old daughter with no downstairs heating and an unfinished bathroom.

Eastern Daily Press: Kirsti Paul had to live with no outer wall and insulation at the back of her house after Mark Bye left the site without finishing the work. Picture: Kirsti PaulKirsti Paul had to live with no outer wall and insulation at the back of her house after Mark Bye left the site without finishing the work. Picture: Kirsti Paul (Image: Kirsti Paul)

Meanwhile, taxi driver and financial advisor Jojo Pazhayattil, 45, of Horseshoe Close, Costessey, said he paid the builder £53,116 for a loft conversion and bedroom extension with ensuite bathroom in his five-bedroom house.

However, the father-of-two said Mr Bye stopped the work with, he claimed, no explanation, leaving the house with holes in the walls and no guttering, among other problems.

At the time of reporting, Mr Bye said he stopped the works in both homes due to a dispute over pay, claiming Ms Paul and Mr Pazhayattil owed him money.

He said he would resume the projects only after a surveyor inspected the homes.

Eastern Daily Press: Work left unfinished in Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew, after builder Mark Bye stopped the work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYWork left unfinished in Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew, after builder Mark Bye stopped the work. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Both families reported Mr Bye to Trading Standards.

-To contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, call 03454 04 05 06 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer.

Eastern Daily Press: The back wall of the kitchen where bifold doors were planned and paid for in Kirsti Paul's home, left unfinished by builder Mark Bye. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYThe back wall of the kitchen where bifold doors were planned and paid for in Kirsti Paul's home, left unfinished by builder Mark Bye. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Work left unfinished in the shower room at Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYWork left unfinished in the shower room at Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: An open hole in the outside wall of the unfinished work in the shower room in Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYAn open hole in the outside wall of the unfinished work in the shower room in Kirsti Paul's home in Thorpe St Andrew. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Jojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYJojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Jojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYJojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Jojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYJojo Pazhayattil in the unfinished loft conversion at his house in Costessey. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)