Two lots of the same work - can I claim for both?

I was scammed by cowboy builders who did substandard work on my property. I had to bring in new builders to re-do the work, so I ended up paying double! Can I claim the full amount of the original substandard work in full against future income?

I cannot bring you a source backing up my opinion, but in my opinion you can claim the full amount. The reason being that you acted in a genuine manner, and your expenditure fulfils the 'wholly and exclusively' condition, even though you ended up paying more than the work should have cost.