Is this shoddy brickwork? - pics included

htcclub

Wondering if this house is worth going on a viewing for?

I am a builder by no means, but the brickwork looks terrible at the edges/boundaries, looks like some type of filler was used near the downpipe?
Overall something doesn't seem right, I don't think this is a very old house either. It is a barn conversion.

sammyjammy

Just looks like an old victorian house to me

stuart45

Have they finished yet? A lot of the work does look a bit rough. Seems like they smashed into the arch to get a window in. 
The filler is probably a load of mortar stuffed into the holes. A good bricklayer could improve the looks quite a bit, but depends how much you want to spend on it. 
I often wonder about the general quality about work throughout a build when the facework looks bodged. 

FreeBear

stuart45 said: The filler is probably a load of mortar stuffed into the holes. A good bricklayer could improve the looks quite a bit, but depends how much you want to spend on it. 
I often wonder about the general quality about work throughout a build when the facework looks bodged. 

Looks like a cement mortar just smeared on in a haphazard fashion - Never a good sign on a solid brick wall. Lime mortar should have been used as it is more appropriate & sympathetic for an older property - Cement mortars are way to hard and there is a very real chance that the bricks will spall. In addition, if there is any movement in the building, a cement mortar will crack.

Lime mortar is softer, flexible to some extent, and will allow moisture to wick away.

Other issues with the building - The verge (where the roof tiles meet the gable wall) is nasty. Any wind driven rain will quickly find its way underneath and cause damp inside. You also want to check to see if lintels have been installed above any new doors & windows. There might be one over the door, if there isn't. the brickwork will start to sag and cracks form above.

Holmes21

htcclub said:

Wondering if this house is worth going on a viewing for?

I am a builder by no means, but the brickwork looks terrible at the edges/boundaries, looks like some type of filler was used near the downpipe?
Overall something doesn't seem right, I don't think this is a very old house either. It is a barn conversion.

Personally I would not go near this property as it seems like it needs a significant amount of work. A lot of bodging seems to have taken place.. if you fancy a project and know someone who could fix it up then I guess it would be something to consider. Bear in mind this is the part of the house which is meant to be aesthetically pleasing and if this is its condition what is the rest going to be like… 

daveyjp

The arch above the window is enough for me to see no thanks.

If you want an arch fit a window with an arch,  if you want a standard window sort out the brickwork.

htcclub

FreeBear said:

Looks like a cement mortar just smeared on in a haphazard fashion - Never a good sign on a solid brick wall. Lime mortar should have been used as it is more appropriate & sympathetic for an older property - Cement mortars are way to hard and there is a very real chance that the bricks will spall. In addition, if there is any movement in the building, a cement mortar will crack.

Lime mortar is softer, flexible to some extent, and will allow moisture to wick away.

Other issues with the building - The verge (where the roof tiles meet the gable wall) is nasty. Any wind driven rain will quickly find its way underneath and cause damp inside. You also want to check to see if lintels have been installed above any new doors & windows. There might be one over the door, if there isn't. the brickwork will start to sag and cracks form above.

Thanks everyone for the detailed comments. I would be scared the house may not stand the test of time, so may pass. An interesting thought comes to mind about houses that may look like this under their render!

Another photo of the main door :O

stuart45

Is it  going to be rendered?

HampshireH

htcclub said:

FreeBear said:

Looks like a cement mortar just smeared on in a haphazard fashion - Never a good sign on a solid brick wall. Lime mortar should have been used as it is more appropriate & sympathetic for an older property - Cement mortars are way to hard and there is a very real chance that the bricks will spall. In addition, if there is any movement in the building, a cement mortar will crack.

Lime mortar is softer, flexible to some extent, and will allow moisture to wick away.

Other issues with the building - The verge (where the roof tiles meet the gable wall) is nasty. Any wind driven rain will quickly find its way underneath and cause damp inside. You also want to check to see if lintels have been installed above any new doors & windows. There might be one over the door, if there isn't. the brickwork will start to sag and cracks form above.

Thanks everyone for the detailed comments. I would be scared the house may not stand the test of time, so may pass. An interesting thought comes to mind about houses that may look like this under their render!

Another photo of the main door :O

I'm no builder either but that looks a right mess and doesn't look supported.

It looks like they left two thirds through the job.

jimbog

Can you share the Rightmove link or the postcode?

AdrianC

htcclub said:

Another photo of the main door :O

Seriously?

That's just abysmal on so many levels. I've never done any brickwork, but I'd be embarrassed at that as a first attempt. I certainly wouldn't have missed a half-brick out completely (or is that an optical illusion of some kind?)

Then there's the fact that it's simply not level.
Then there's that dangling cable.