At my wits end with brick layers. Advice please.

[flanagaj]

I've refrained from posting on here for fear of asking stupid questions, but I have concluded that on this occasion, I really could do with some guidance.

As you know, we let our first brickie go as his work was substandard.  We waited nearly 8 weeks for the new one to start and he started Monday.  He is making good progress and aside from not listening to me or reading drawings where service lintels are supposed to go, it's ok.  However, when he started, I was really surprised that he did not build up the corners of the house using a laser level, to ensure that the height of the first course would be correct.  Instead, he started at one end and made his way down the 24m length.

He is now at dpc level on the internal leaf and he is 22mm out from one end of the house (excluding garage) 17m to the other end.  Alarm bells are ringing in my head again and I don't know whether I should raise the issue.

It's driving me mad that I have to deal with such incompetent individuals.  I also had to explain to him that he had missed out the lintel for a back inlet gulley.  His response "you don't run a soil pipe into the back of a bottle gulley.  You put the sink waste through the wall and into it."  Clearly, he is wrong, but I am just the dumb IT Programmer who knows feck all.

Just after some help here, as I really don't want to sack another builder and start again.  

[Mr Punter]

The 22mm is annoying but is only 1mm per metre.

 

With the sub structure stuff it will be possible to rectify but I would point out that I expect it built as per drawings.  Better to let him know as he progresses than after he has finished.  Check the drawings each day and go through with him in the morning where you think he might mess up.

[saveasteading]

22mm is a lot. He hasn't a clue other than brick, next brick. 

Probably has never had to set up the coursings/ manage.

 

I've known them like this.

Doors missed out (I'll cut that out later). 

Got no bricks. When did you realise it was getting low? Got no bricks.

 

Ive seen worse if it's any consolation.  The brick course spiralled and was up to window level when noticed. Fortunately I was only engaged to find why it wasn't working.

 

Does it otherwise look OK?

 

22mm now and then what? He gets it back over a few courses or it gets worse. Will he remember windows and get them right. When you reach eaves the roof and gutter will be a challenge to an innocent joiner.

 

you need a proper talk, sat down to keep his attention.

If you think he is worth the risk then

I think I might be tempted to compromise if there really are few options.

 

Tell him to win back that 22mm * by removing and replacing the last course. 11mm correction then again above dpc.

Ask him how he is going to prevent this happening again. 

 

And daily checks by you.

 

* someone on BH who can lay bricks will know better than I.