Rustic bricks

Innys

Hi everyone

I just wanted your opinions if I may.

I have commissioned a builder to do my extension and they have been working on the groundworks for two weeks now. The rest of the existing house has "rustic bricks" like this:

http://www.awbsltd.com/shop/prodtype.asp?strPageHistory=category&numSearchStartRecord=0&CAT_ID=110&numRecordPosition=11

When I spoke to the builder yesterday he told me that the builder's merchants he uses has no rustic brick and we would need to consider an alternative. The contract we signed states "all brick work will be carried out, using matching bricks"

In 15 minutes on the web this morning I found four websites advertising rustic bricks which appear to match my existing ones. Should I insist he buys the bricks from one of those websites or just go along with whatever compromise he suggests?

The builder and I have a good relationship and I don't want to jeopardise it unnecessarily, but I think he's in the wrong on this one.

Any suggestions

square_bear

I think that you need to see a sample of the brick that he plans to use for your extension.

You may be happy with it.

If not, you need to get a match that you are happy with, bearing in mind that there may be a difference in price between the two.

Try these people http://www.matchingbrick.co.uk/

nickj_2

you're the customer , use the bricks that you want

SuzieSue

Definitely use the bricks that match - it will look dreadful if they don't match. When I had my conservatory built, the person building the dwarf wall turned up on the first day and said that he wasn't sure if he could find matching bricks. Half an hour on the internet and I managed to find them and insisted he used them.

A lot of builders will just go for the easy option as it just another job for them, but it is your home and you need to ensure it is done properly.

SuzieSue

square_bear wrote: »

If not, you need to get a match that you are happy with, bearing in mind that there may be a difference in price between the two.

Try these people http://www.matchingbrick.co.uk/

My builder also tried to say that even if he found matching bricks, they might be more expensive, however this wasn't in the contract and so I would have refused to pay if the had asked me to.

Debt_Free_Chick

Also worth bearing in mind what the Planning Permission requires, assuming the extension needed PP. PP often requires matching bricks and that would be your "trump card" if that's the case.

phill99

If you have signed a contract that he will build it in matching bricks, then he is obliged to provide that. Its his issue if he has wrongly priced it.

Innys

Thanks for everyones' view.

I will speak to the builder late next week and see what suggestions he has. I am reluctant to use different bricks, especially as he's committed to match them. I'll feed back once we've agreed a way forward

olias

I would not 'see what suggestions he has', as stated he will almost certainly try and convince/persuade you that the bricks from his builders merchants will be ok. I would insist he uses matching bricks even if he has to source them from elsewhere, and that he provides a sample first for you to ok before he proceeds. You are paying him, he is not doing you a favour.

Olias

jennifernil

There are "brick libraries", you take in your sample and they can identify it, tell you if matching bricks are still available.

We built 23 years ago, and matching bricks are still available.

ormus

theres a large reclaimation yard near me. i can get plenty of red brick from c1935.
typical of the period. 1930s semi detached.