I "Found" The Worst Bricklayer In Pattaya - Beware

[vel_tins]

I had to be build two small walls (3.5x4 meter).

My GF found a *bricklayer* at a site who claimed she can do the job.

Yesterday morning, she came two hours too late, telling us, her husband would come a little bit later....

He never arrived.

So she started alone with the bricks. The first two rows looked ok....

Unfortunately, I had an appointment, so I was outside for some hours.

When I came back, I checked the wall (not finished, but bricklayer went home already) and couldn't believe, what I saw.

The wall was far away from vertical, it was build somehow "elliptical".

See the pictures.

The blue line, (which I made, when I came back), is the vertical line, where the wall *should* have

been build.

The difference between the vertical line and the wall, was nearly 8 cm !!!.

GF rang the bricklayer and told her about the the desaster, but she didn't come to have a look.

Result: GF and I dissasembled the wall.

<deleted>*k

[cardholder]

Quality !

[Forkinhades]

DIY

looking at the pics, at least the blocks are overlapping!

Edited December 15, 2011 by Forkinhades

[vel_tins]

I am not a bricklayer, but even I know, that they "normally" use a plumb bob and a bubble level...

But I think, she had never heard about these "special tools"...

DIY

Seems to be the best..

"Note to myself: not forget to buy a plumb bob"

Edited December 15, 2011 by vel_tins

[glanville63]

Sounds like you found yourself a Wannabee builder. Lots of them here. If you want a pro builder call Mwoi on 0800926438. Get your GF to speak to them because they only talk Angit nignoi.

[loong]

I hope that you did not pay in advance.

Unfortunately, this is an example of standard workmanship. The bricklayer will probably not understand what your problem is.

Most builders are unable to build anything vertical or 2 walls at 90 degree angles to each other

[kurnell]

I think it looks very artistic...Roald Dahl like

[Payboy]

I'm really surprised she took the longer route to the ceiling.

[vel_tins]

I hope that you did not pay in advance.

Unfortunately, this is an example of standard workmanship. The bricklayer will probably not understand what your problem is.

Most builders are unable to build anything vertical or 2 walls at 90 degree angles to each other

I would never ever pay something in advance..

If even our neighbour, a young woman selling clothes, recognizes this disaster, the bricklayer HAS to understand my problem! (If she should ever show up again)

Edited December 15, 2011 by vel_tins

[SAW]

Blimey that is bad. I have also seen many times block laying where they don't lay half way on each other simply in a straight line, one push and the whole lot would go over.

[Rimmer]

Good one vel_tins I'm going to move this over to DIY Housing Forum if you don't mind so all the experts over there can see how its really done

[pattaya_girl]

I found a fabulous builder here on Thaivisa.com Let me know if you want his phone number.

[William Osborne]

Slap on a couple inches of plaster and you'll never notice :jap:

[pattayadingo]

Did you leave a bottle of Whiskey laid about by any chance and is there any left?

[vel_tins]

The bricklayer really showed up around 10.30.

But when she saw the removed bricks and the blue lines one the wall, I think, she knew whats happen...

Than, she REALLY wanted money for her *work*. I asked her how much, she answered: 350 Bt.

Finally, I gave her 200, just to get rid of her. And ok, the first three rows of bricks, she laid, were (more or less) usuable..

Now:

DIY...

I did this kind of work, I think, at last more than 20 years ago....BUT

the first wall (the smaller one) is already finished and it looks VERY good, compared to her work.

[Kwasaki]

Slap on a couple inches of plaster and you'll never notice :jap:

So right !! some great characters in the building trade, one I knew had more front than Selfridge's in London as in UK say.

It reminds me of a guy in England, true storey, matey said he was a bricklayer to get a job, got the job, the site Foreman came up to him the 2nd day he had been there, and said " what the <deleted>> are you doing ", matey said " what's up " Forman, " what your doing there is crap " matey said " what do you mean I have see worse than this ", Forman, " what are you talking about " matey " come and see this then ". getting there, Forman " who the bloody hell did this " matey said " I did " he was sacked on the spot.

Edited December 15, 2011 by Kwasaki

[janverbeem]

I'm currently building a house,when it's finished I will be a rich man................................Not from selling the house but from publishing my memoires.

[Kwasaki]

I'm currently building a house,when it's finished I will be a rich man................................Not from selling the house but from publishing my memoires.

That's if you survive it, make sure your Mrs ain't insured you, and watch what you eat.. :lol:

Edited December 15, 2011 by Kwasaki

[manarak]

the "bricks" look really thin. if someone leans a bit too heavily on that wall, it will likely fall, regardless if built straight or not.

[Soutpeel]

I think it looks very artistic...Roald Dahl like

Who ? Roland Dahl was a writer not a bricklayer...sure you dont mean Salvador Dali....anyways pretty sure the fine unstanding mason concerned meant this wall to be a feature wall hence the artisitc license with the brickwork....

at least he staggered the joints...

Edited December 16, 2011 by Soutpeel

[vel_tins]

Whoever was meant Dahl or Dali...the wall was somehow artistic.

But I know..:

The laugh is always on the loser..

But now, the second wall is ~60% finished, (and vertical) but GF has lacked to order more cement and sand.

But no problem, the "smurf" works harder than me and so she has a big Bonus..

Edited December 16, 2011 by vel_tins

[kurnell]

I think it looks very artistic...Roald Dahl like

Who ? Roland Dahl was a writer not a bricklayer...sure you dont mean Salvador Dali....anyways pretty sure the fine unstanding mason concerned meant this wall to be a feature wall hence the artisitc license with the brickwork....

at least he staggered the joints...

Have you ever seen the artwork in a "Roland" Dahl book?

[neil324]

How long is the wall, i can't tell from the pictures. Is it bonded to the existing wall somehow? With something like this

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=wall+starters&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mMHsTvekH8ej8QPUurmZCg&ved=0CGoQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=785

If not

Given the thickness of wall even built correctly, it would need piers at intervals along the wall to give it lateral support.

http://www.ibstock.com/pdfs/get-it-right/getitright11.pdf

The deviation in vertical plumbness is in itself dangerous. But given the thickness of the wall, depending on the length and whether it's bonded to existing

They seem to have bonded it rather well though.

I'm a UK bricklayer BTW.

[vel_tins]

How long is the wall, i can't tell from the pictures. Is it bonded to the existing wall somehow? With something like this

http://www.google.co...iw=1440&bih=785

If not

Given the thickness of wall even built correctly, it would need piers at intervals along the wall to give it lateral support.

I removed this "wall" already and no, it was NOT bonded!

But the new "DIY wall" is bonded on both ends and also on the top end (steel posts)..

Edited December 18, 2011 by vel_tins

[haveaniceday]

Some hairy fairy art gallery may have paid big money for that abstract art of the first wall

[sezze]

My experience , if you hire anyone for a job . Tell them this and that and how you want it . Do not let them go with money before checking on the work and agreeing it is ok . When possible , check multiple times during the job so slight faults can be fixed before it turnes out to be a complete demolish . Many times the job takes longer , especially if they do not know their job properly ( you will see in less then 1 hour work that they know or not know what they are doing ) , but at least you always can be satisfied with the job done .