Builder training courses

[Sarah_W]

Okay - not a very girlie question I know, BUT...

I'm going to build a garage in the coming months at teh back of my house and whilst I'll pay a contractor to put the foundations in, I'm keen to build the walls myself and possibly even tackle a sloped roof.

First things first though... I don't think I'm being naive to think I'll pick up enough skills fro a 5 day course to do the bricklaying. Nothing fancy, probably breezeblocks. Has anyone here been to any of the various 5 day bricklaying courses around? Do they give you enough skills to do a decent enough job to build a garage?

[mycroft]

You will pick up the basic knowledge but you will need quite a bit of help .
I am sure there are plenty of builders on here who will give you step by step advice .
You will need building regs so the inspector will check what you have done is OK.
Dale

Sorry if that sounds patronising didn't mean it to . Go for it .

Edited by mycroft on Thursday 1st April 22:26

[Sarah_W]

mycroft said:

You will pick up the basic knowledge but you will need quite a bit of help .
I am sure there are plenty of builders on here who will give you step by step advice .
You will need building regs so the inspector will check what you have done is OK.
Dale

Sorry if that sounds patronising didn't mean it to . Go for it .

Edited by mycroft on Thursday 1st April 22:26

Do I need building regs?

It's going at teh bottom of a 100 foot garden (with rear access from a Close). There's already a dropped kerb with gates providing access to the rear garden and it'll only be a 1.5 car garage (i.e. with workshop), so I believe it's excluded from both building regs and planning...?

[Si 330]

You don't need building regulations for a detached domestic garage if it falls within the following criteria.

1.It is less than 30 square metres floor area, and
2.Single storey, and
3.At least one metre from any boundary or constructed of non-combustible materials for example brick/block, concrete panel, tiles roof, and
4.Contains no sleeping accommodation.


Note any electrical installation installed in the garage may require approval

[mycroft]

Sorry again , you probably don't need regs but i always assume i do until council confirms otherwise . If its a property i am looking to sell on i sometimes get a letter of non requirement for the over zealous conveyancing solicitors that now seem to be everywhere .

[BRGV8S]

Check VERY carefully with the Planning Officer, with rear access road you may not meet Permitted Development rules and need P/Permission.

[jas xjr]

basic brick laying can be picked up in a few days. i did a course(no pun intended ) a few years ago.and very satisfying it was too.trouble is unless you keep practising it is all too easy to lose the knack.

[hairyben]

Bricklayings quite simple, if you take your time and get it right it will take take significantly longer than a good brickie.

Dunno about courses, another option may be to find a retired builder who'll come along and give you some hands-on guidance for the first couple of days for some cash-in hand.

[pimpin gimp]

You need a Bricky.

http://www.brickytool.com/index_eng.html

Tommy Walsh reckons they're the Bee's bks.

[B17NNS]

pimpin gimp said:

http://www.brickytool.com/index_eng.html

Utter rubbish, save your money. The instructional DVD that actually comes with it is however quite good.

Have you ever actually seen Tommy Walsh (or any bricky) use one on site?

[jas xjr]

B17NNS said:

pimpin gimp said:

http://www.brickytool.com/index_eng.html

Utter rubbish, save your money. The instructional DVD that actually comes with it is however quite good.

Have you ever actually seen Tommy Walsh (or any bricky) use one on site?

it lays a totally flat bed of mortar. is that any good?

[Tampon]

Seen that Bricky tool before, thought it would be a good little buy for a begginer, no ?