Week 1 for our brickie... and I’m labouring! (Self Build Extension Part 3)

It’s week one of brickwork on our self build extension project!
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#Extension #SelfBuild #Brickwork

[@GosforthHandyman]

Follow this project in a bit more detail at: selfbuildextension.co.uk/ 👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Terrific progress Andy, enjoying this series so much

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Keith! It's certainly giving me plenty content - can't keep up! 👍😁

[@wilkes27]

Great to see a local lad with such great content on this topic. You've taught me a lot already and it's such great viewing watching this extension progress. Your attention to detail is admirable, even to the point that backfilling around the perimeter looked satisfyingly neat and tidy! Can't wait for the next episode.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Ben! Have a good 'un!

[@GrumpyOldGamer9221]

This and the main house series has been a great watch, I like how you edit and narrate the episodes, make good TV viewing on the KZbin app. I can imagine you working with Allan again now you struck gold with a brickie.

[@micdev42]

Alan's blockwork (and brickwork) is superb. Great to see so much care taken on doing it properly. It's so neat I reckon you should forget about plastering and rendering and leave it as is!

[@soundman127]

This video will be a great example of his work. The sacked builders should have tried harder!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yes - he amazed me every day with his skills and knowledge. Was a pleasure to work with him! 👍

[@pjr7754]

Mrs. Mac is a gem of a woman, and you appear to be well suited. You both share a vision of your future and are not afraid to get stuck in together. Lovely to see a good marriage at work in a world of throw away relationships. Cheers!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Very lucky to have her! We're generally on the same page with this sort of stuff. 👍😁

[@Doug....]

Fair play Andy. You did a great job planning all that out. You're very talented. 👍

[@stevenpaton]

Great work, brick and blockwork 1st class. Alan takes pride in hi work.

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

I'm so pleased the builder is a good'in! Makes a world of difference. 💫 Have a wonderful Christmas.

[@marshawargo7238]

I'll Bet that brick layer probably never gave "homework" to a homeowner nor had as much help & meticulous prepwork done prior to This job...🐧💕

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

@@marshawargo7238 Yes, it is a joy to watch Andy because of his genuine care and attention to detail. And Mrs Mac getting wholeheartedly involved too. Gladdens my heart🥰 🥳

[@marshawargo7238]

@@moiragoldsmith7052 I've watched older videos & in a Q&A he said she is Very Involved. Due to learning from her father's business. I think maybe she just doesn't like being in the videos.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Yes, Allan was amazing. Proper old school and actually had pride in his work. Didn't even stop for lunch. He kept me on my toes! 👍😁

[@SteveMonk1956]

Lovely brickwork worth every penny even though it's going to get covered. That is a brickie who takes pride in his work.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - proper old school. 👍

[@breabeyrouti7834]

Incredible progress! Beautiful work all around

[@v88krb]

Glad to see you have such a good brickie and look forward to seeing more of his craftsmanship in future reports. Hope the winter doesn't get in the way of progress too soon. Happy Christmas to you all.

[@GosforthHandyman]

He's amazing! The cold weather is slowing things down a bit now... biggest wait (as per usual) is windows. 🙄👍

[@ericmcrae7758]

If your building Inspector watches your channel he would know everyting you have done. No problem passing. Happy New Year.

[@billholmes6639]

This is a great channel, just love the videos and you explain things so well - makes me feel like cracking on with something!!!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Bill! Glad you enjoy the vids! 👍

[@mandyleeson1]

Really interesting to see how a house goes together and what a pearl is Mrs. Mac.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Lucky to have her! 😁

[@lisaferrara8120]

WOW, the brickwork is perfect. All the vertical joints are aligned and straight. Wonderful progress.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, even the hidden stuff is perfect. 👍

[@paulmoy9736]

Nice to see things moving on......thanks for all the great videos.......Have a brilliant Christmas.

[@GosforthHandyman]

You too - glad you enjoyed them!

[@andykg73]

That brick work is next level. Always great to see trades taking care with their work. You know its going to be built to last.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo! 👍

[@jp_makes]

Loving this series and enjoying at amount of detail you're going into. Thanks

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@Troglio123]

Man you are so thorough, great to see you take so much pride. Great work. 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Paul! I'm a bit of a fanny. 👍

[@stuartcotterill9475]

Mrs Mack, what a women. Merry Christmas guys, have a good one.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Merry Christmas to you and yours too! 👍

[@markharrison1884]

Sterling work so far Andy. Your brickie is doing a proper job for you. My dad is a brickie and helped me build my single storey extension. Brick laying is an art and it is captivating watching a professional work.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Defo. A good brickie is absolutely key to a successful build. 👍

[@nigelhaines7900]

Well explained and a lovely piece of Blockwork and brickwork

[@djray1031]

Great work mate, And a Happy new year to you & the Family.

[@normanboyes4983]

Great series Andy and another interesting episode. Good catch securing Alan’s services, he very clearly has a pride in his work - not always so evident in the trades today. All the best for the season to you and the family.🎄👍🍺

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Norman and all the best to you and yours too! 👍

[@iTzZToMMyD]

Great video. ill be using all your tips and knowledge when it comes to doing my own extension in the future! thanks

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff - good luck with yours!

[@ScottishPaul45]

Great content as always Andy! Build is coming along brilliantly. Be the Gosforth Building Services at this rate!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Paul! It had crossed my mind! We certainly want to do a full self-build at some point. I think that would be easier than an extension. 😁👍

[@davidtaylor4975]

Great stuff as usual Andy. Its really starting to take shape. Fair play to Mrs Mac for getting stuck in there too! Merry Christmas to you and the family!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours too! 👍

[@allenwaters3945]

Mrs Mac! What a worker.

[@GosforthHandyman]

She's a trooper - keeps me in line! 👍😁

[@paulmccarthy424]

Love the fact Alan point his work even thought it will be covered, proper traditional tradesman 👍. Looking great 👏

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - and I didn't even have to ask him! 😂👍

[@hmscatman]

Great video Andy. Hope you and the rest of the Macs have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you Gary - and to you and yours!

[@bigmonkey999888]

Hi Andy, this series is bringing back memories when I built my wrap round extension 22 years ago! Only seems like last week lol Steve

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hope they're good memories! 👍😁

[@sennengomes]

Fantastic progress and such neat & tidy work all round. 👍🏼

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@fredbloggs4829]

Merry Christmas, in case you don't get another video in before. Really enjoying this series - another really interesting update. Sounds like your bricky is a good bloke. Always a pleasure to work with people who take pride in their work.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers and Merry Christmas too! Hope to get another couple of vids in, famous last words. 😁

[@attlee1945]

Great work Andy and Mrs Mac is a real trooper at digging. Hope you guys have a great Christmas and New Year. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Steve!

[@catherinetaylor164]

Wow! Alan is a master! This was very, very interesting and informative. Be well :)

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Yup, proper craftsman.

[@suj1945]

Great work!

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Exciting. We saw some of those walls teased a few weeks back. Great seeing it coming out of the ground.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - ploughing on!

[@davebarrow2194]

Lovely tidy job mate! As a bricky myself it's nice to see your bricky takin the same pride as I do myself.atb.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff! I wish more folk would have pride in their work like you guys. 👍

[@leesmall7693]

Really enjoyed seeing the video, great information as always , looking forward to seeing your next instalment 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers and no worries Lee! 👍

[@awantamta]

You are making great progress. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Tahir! Ploughing on! 👍

[@jeracom]

Great work love that you try everything yourself. 👏

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you! I know my limits though. 😁

[@tahseenashfaq]

Very informative, love the work your doing 👍🏼

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you!

[@roberthardy2013]

It’s all looking good for the new build. I have just replaced a lounge floor and joists so a lot of this is relevant but my old boards were 30 mm thick so I had to adjust the levels to suit the new P5 boards. Mine was on dwarf walls as well so at least I had a bit of wiggle room. The entire room had just been painted so the skirting was left in place and a spacer made to let me set the joist height while leaving room for the boards. I used some Propex earlier this year but asa temporary replacement for my sunroof after the glass exploded and I had to wait two months for a new one. It worked well but was very cracked and broke easily when removed, but at least it kept the rainout!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great stuff! Sounds like a challenge!

[@adrianwilding2912]

A really nicely organised and tidy build which is refreshing after seeing so many sites that look an utter shambles and a H & S nightmare. I hope you've got the roof on now in real time so you can press on in the dry!👍👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! I'm obsessed with keeping the site tidy. 😁

[@catspaw3815]

Looking good, Andy!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers - getting there!

[@thornwarbler]

Some nice block/brickwork. There's a man who takes pride in his workmanship 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yes! Proper old school - very lucky to have found him! 👍

[@kstewart3657]

Very informative and interesting to follow your journey. And isn‘t it great when you can get skilled tradesmen like your brickie. 👏

[@GosforthHandyman]

Too right - a refreshing change to find someone who actually knows what they're doing! 😂

[@raydebbiemcdonald3208]

That’s a really neat job.

[@haydenuk02]

Great work and thanks for sharing this with us take care

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries and thank you!

[@52memor]

Thoroughly enjoy these vids..... MERRY CHRISTMAS

[@GosforthHandyman]

And to you and yours! 🎄

[@Mc674bo]

Looking good sir , your Mr Alan is definitely going the extra mile very neat work . I bet he appreciates you stacking his blocks for him , obviously you’re saving him time but also a lot of effort . I think your a project manager in the making , a lot of people are keen to handover building works to someone else so might be a future option to consider . It’s more a case of organising the work rather than being totally onboard with every trade . And what I seen so far on your channel is , you definitely know how to organise .

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you - very kind! I have a background in project management but this is my first time managing a whole build. It's stressful! 👍😂

[@bellabella9918]

It's coming along great!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Getting there!

[@njuham]

Nice use of background music, some Northumbrian small pipes there!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Gotta love a bit Northumbrian folk. 👍👍

[@markrowland5393]

Lovely job. Great stuff.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Mark!

[@pedropony4138]

Great stuff its lovely when you can do the work your self especially the labouring you can learn a lot that way. I'm really enjoying your videos. Doe stir tricky travel to Birmingham, could do with a good brick. Look forward to the next video. Regards Karamat

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, loved the labouring! Hard work but learned loads!

[@jefftaylor9128]

You the man , very enjoyable. Come over to Dublin .

[@mc-yt2rc]

loving this, you are a very clever man!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Aw thank you! Very clever trades make me look better than I really am. 👍😁

[@135Ops]

Nice brick/block work Alan has done you proud!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Was very lucky to find him! 👍

[@ice4142]

Buy yourself a laser level! Maybe you have one but saves messing about with spirit levels and stakes

[@GosforthHandyman]

Got one but doesn't work great in daylight over long distances - sometimes the spirit level is just easier. 👍😁

[@SalC007]

Good job …like to see a Alan the Brickie time lapse video of bricks going up.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Allan didn't want to be famous unfortunately! Don't blame him. 😁

[@bigmonkey999888]

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all from Steve, Beeston, Leeds

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Steve! And to you and yours!

[@lukepeacham9663]

Brilliant work well done

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Luke!

[@nutter-world]

Holy shiz, if every contractor worked at that pace! Impressed is an understatement.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Dream team. 😂

[@davidcairns3203]

Great to see the progress you are making. Boy, do you keep that site tidy [and safe]!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! It's a challenge at times. Looking forward to getting a skip. 😂

[@bluehazeboy]

Excellent work guys

[@GosforthHandyman]

Getting there - cheers!

[@Abidsalehuk]

Hey thank you , VERY GREATFUL info and keep it up.

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries!

[@garvielloken3929]

Alan s done a wicked job!!!! 10/10

[@GosforthHandyman]

Too right!

[@jeanhawken4482]

Terrific job

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers!

[@girlsdrinkfeck]

that blockwork internal pointing is so clean, great job to him

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, lovely job. 👍

[@jameshurst3279]

Good brickie you got there

[@GosforthHandyman]

Amazing! 👍

[@maxstemmer8788]

Your videos are great 👍 and merry Christmas and I joy your video’s

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers - and to you and yours!

[@workingonthehouse8038]

Looking very sharp Andy, and with you all the way on the jim-jam policy! 😂 Seeing how beautifully your walls have been cut to stop cold bridging between the cavities reminds me just how sh…. (Rubbish) my builders were 😠

[@GosforthHandyman]

Jim jams - too right! Small pleasures! 😂 But yes, the cold bridging details get even better later in the build. 👍👍

[@henrygiann9735]

Love Your Work... Props to the Missus... She's a Trooper...

[@GosforthHandyman]

She's amazing!

[@howlertastic]

As ever…. Absolutely fascinating.

[@GosforthHandyman]

👍👍

[@pn8902]

That blockwork was perfect

[@GosforthHandyman]

He did an amazing job!

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Looks great. The Instagram teasers are killing me! LOL Keep on!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha cheers! Yeah, Insta is a fair bit ahead of YT. 😁

[@Derek-Hicks]

Nice tip on the proplex, never heard of it til now 👍🏼

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup, so handy! 👍

[@laurenarigo3894]

It’s seam like so much work as an American to be put into building a house. We love our stick built houses.

[@davidtaylor4975]

British weather enters the chat...

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yeah all down to the weather! Brick / block is amazingly quick once you're out the ground. 👍😁

[@laurenarigo3894]

American weather is also very external and changes depending on where you are but good insulation and building rap will do the same thing a lot quicker.

[@johnthompson3462]

Alan will not have to look for work once these videos get out.That is really nice work

[@GosforthHandyman]

Too right! I don't think he has to - all word of mouth. 👍

[@brassroot166]

The brickwork and the blockwork is dead smart, Andy.👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

Allan did a lovely job - well known in the area as a true craftsman. 👍

[@brassroot166]

@@GosforthHandyman I'm just wondering if I might know him.😳

[@Bobrogers99]

Considering what you have to pay for Alan's skill as a brickmason, it's a smart thing to do all the preliminary work and setting up so all he has to do is lay brick! Not many construction areas are as neat and tidy as this one. ;-)

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Bob! Yes, Allan is proper old school and just cracks on with it. My job to keep things running smoothly. 👍😁

[@leighdamian]

Looking great so far.Personally i wouldn't have render if the brickie is decent.Might save a few quid there.

[@cjhification]

Suppose it depends on if it's block or brick.

[@GosforthHandyman]

It's a balance as bricks take a lot longer to lay and then I think toothing in new bricks to the old imperial bricks is a bit of a pain in the arse. 👍

[@terrywalker4733]

I love the music on this episode what’s it called also I really love watching you videos the content and tips you give also watching your journey with your projects.

[@IconicSpitters]

Enjoying this journey … you need to market a Gosforth Handyman ‘Whatnot’ they sound really useful .. you mention them a lot 😉🤣

[@GosforthHandyman]

I like your thinking! 👍😂

[@utubeape]

I appreciate the slate boxing in the airbrick vent chamber - we had cavity wall insulation - (little grey polystyrene balls ) added later and it is forever spilling out of the air brick vent into the yard. Not good

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - seen some disasters with those where they won't stop falling out the walls! 😂

[@davideyres955]

Try opticrom (not the recent covid variant) I use it for hayfever but it’s designed for eye irritation.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha ha yes! Well stocked up with the eye-drop variant. 👍😁

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Lovely brick and blockwork there by Alan the bricky 👌🏼 It’s a good size extension too .Thanks for the propped tip too , we will definitely be investing in some of that , cheers and a happy new year 🥳🧱👍🏼

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! It's so handy to have around. Unfortunately we had to take a lot of it down when Storm Arwen hit since the winds were too high - so the cavities got wet regardless 🙄. But in non-storm conditions it's great 😂. Merry Christmas to you guys and the family too! Love your channel. 👍🎄

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@GosforthHandyman . Same to you too pal. 😁🧱👍🏽

[@paulh2374]

Hi Andy, cutting the channel out of the brickwork to maintain the cavity where the wall starters are positioned seems a bit excessive to me. Okay, you're trying to eliminate a cold spot, but with insulation butted-up against the original wall, surely this cold spot would be minimal? I'd sooner have a slight cold area than weaken considerably the original outside wall.

[@GOLD-TOOTH-ANGLER]

This fella could talk underwater

[@qwertytwerty7293]

Bluebell bulbs. Are they British or Spanish. If they’re Spanish (and anything like the ones in my garden) they will spread in a thick blanket everywhere. Which is fine if that’s what you want, but a pain in the ass if you don’t. Years long battle awaits you to get rid of them otherwise. Also, excellent work on the extension!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! I think they're British as they hadn't spread that much - mostly in the borders. 👍👍

[@brynyard]

Its not every day you can hear "I need to know how much hardcore to put in" in a video that doesn't get demonetized :)

[@GosforthHandyman]

Lol, yes - I need to be careful for that one. 😂

[@fredbloggs4829]

That's so funny. I had to read your comment three times before the penny dropped - but when it did, it did make me laugh.

[@raydriver7300]

I thoroughly enjoy enjoy being taken on your journey with you, Andy. Like the music too. Not Kathryn Tickell by any chance? 🌞

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers! Unfortunately I can't use Kathryn Tickell recordings due to copyright... although a friend of mine has worked with the Tickells so I may need to call in a favour. 😉👍

[@htimsid]

@@GosforthHandyman What is the pretty music from 5:40?

[@mozu517]

Love the music 🎶 ❤

[@PuceBaboon]

@@GosforthHandyman "Lads of Alnwick" if you manage to get her. 🙂 All the best to the Mac family for a merry Christmas!

[@drew8135]

Love seeing how you try to make things easy for the trades... always so organised! Do you have any pictures and tips for the drain lintels? We have had a rodent problem in our extension and lintels are one area of concern. Trying to understand why and what remedial work could look like.

[@GosforthHandyman]

We just followed the spec provided by the water board. There will be an internal concrete oversite so that should prevent any rodents and as long as the base of the cavity is sealed up (with concrete or whatever) nothing should be able to get in there. 🤞

[@abdusaziz1266]

Excellent job. I wonder where are you based. It is hard find suitable builder now day. Thanks

[@rogerbeck3018]

you have earned a day off for christmas, enjoy

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Roger!

[@kerel995]

Somebody buy this gentleman a lazor level!!!

[@BRI535D]

Did you consider making void under new joists into a deeper crawl space? My bungalow has sufficient depth under floor that made it possible to retro insulate between joists and repair a few dodgy joists without ripping up floor.Entry via an access panel in floor at corner of room.I would suppose that you hopefully never need to do this.Just a thought!

[@GosforthHandyman]

It would be a bit of a gamble due to the river. The water levels have never come up that high before but I wouldn't want to go any deeper without a fully tanked basement with sump pumps etc. 👍

[@stevenbennett3922]

Alan. Top Man

[@GosforthHandyman]

Too right!

[@darrenpaulgreen]

Amazing progress Andy. Really enjoying this series and learning by the shovel full! Quick question on the use of blocks and render, is this much cheaper than brick? I guess they go up faster and are cheaper as a materials but wondered how they compare?

[@GosforthHandyman]

I don't think there's much in it between render / brick. Bricks are more expensive + bricky time but the render costs will be significant. It's nice to have the faster initial build though. 👍