[Closed] Replacing a few bricks - do it myself or hire a bricklayer?

1 or 2 bricks? You will need a 2lb lump hammer a cold chisel or plugging chisel and a bolster to clean the mortar of the in situ bricks. It's a piece of piss.

But look what happened last time Frankenstein created something himself.

You might find it difficult to find a good bricklayer willing to do a job that small anyway

You might find it difficult to find a good bricklayer

Overkill, any random builder should be able to replace a couple of bricks and do a half decent job....

Overkill, any random builder should be able to replace a couple of bricks and do a half decent job….

True.  You might also find it difficult to find a good random builder willing to do a job that small, though.  It's an easy job though, so even a hopeless random builder shouldn't be able to mess it up too badly.  I'd just take my time and do it myself.

Easy peasy job. Tools will be a 7lb hammer a cold chisel and a trowel, plus some ready mixed mortar. All readily available fro B&Q (Other stores do exist). Will cost you a lot less than a brickie would - if you can find one to do that small a job.

Thanks for the info!

Was quoted £35 for work incl bricks by an independent brickie.

Now off to buy the bricks and match the colour.

My old man wants to do the work for/with me now.

So what could go wrong with Frankenstein Senior with me?

Same question.

I've got to move our kitchen extractor a smidgen as the previous owner swapped from a standard cooker to a range so its no longer central.

Outside its a big square Airbrick, inside I guess its just a big hole in the block.

The outside isn't somewhere noticeable so I'll just leave the Airbrick and stick a core drill through the wall next to it. But how to do the inside? Just fill with foam and tile over? The new hole will only be a foot away at most so I'm guessing two big 6" holes close together might not be optimal? Use the core drill to cut out a 'plug' when making the new hole and mortar that in the old hole?

£0.75p per brick and ready mix for £10 if that helps anyone.

Ready mix was £10.

Looking at the wall and the satellite installation guy did a right stupid job on the wall.

Cracked 2 bricks, destroyed 2 and damaged the wall overall.  Wish I grinded the old bolts off myself.

Anyway up the spout here and drilling away Swiss cheese style.

I would hate to do this in winter as I’m wussy.

Spoony-just use filler if it’s going to by tiles over.  If it’s the same block then assess the condition of it and if knackered - replace.

7lb hammer!!!! Good luck with that 🤪😂

I'd have said the £35 was a cracking price if he is good, I'd pay money to see anyone holding a chisel and using a 7lb hammer must have some forearm

 I’d pay money to see anyone holding a chisel and using a 7lb hammer must have some forearm

Teenage boys usually have at least one well developed forearm 😆😆

£35 for a builder to do the job? Take his hand off and let him do it!

Not always as easy as it looks

1: £35...unless you like to DIY everything, bite his arm off

2: Satellite installer should be footing the bill, even more so if its someone reputable such as Sky etc.

Was quoted £35 for work incl bricks by an independent brickie.

For that I'd just get them to do it.  How much are you really saving yourself after you've bought the tools etc ?

2: Satellite installer should be footing the bill, even more so if its someone reputable such as Sky etc.

Probably not worth the hassle for the sake of £35 ("we didn't break anything, prove it"), but that was my first thought also.

You took plenty of photos, yes?

For £35 I'd get it done and if it's a decent job you've got yourself a useful contact for anything else you might need in the future.

Unfortunately my old man was adamant and had the tools.

Took an hour to drill Swiss cheese bricks and then an another hour to get the bricks and cement in.

I did warn him it’s quick drying 10 mins mix but it looks pretty good.

Personally I’d rather pay £35 as I was knackered from drilling and hammering.