We've started doing a bit of landscaping to the back garden. There are things that need doing for the extension like drainage, new man holes a new retaining wall and steps for the patio so I've been trying to make a start on them.
Although the original house was built in the 1940's by a top quality building firm, a firm that came later and did some landscaping were not of the same calibre.
All the walls holding up the patio are crumbing away, one manhole was built in the middle of a wall and the garden wall that runs about 8m down out garden was only built the width of one brick on footings that aren't much wider.
Now we've removed a huge invasive shrub we've discovered that this wall is not very stable. It's about 7ft high and you can make it wobble by pushing it with one finger. I doubt it'll be up much longer if there's a storm
I did consider differnt ways of firming it up. We could add concrete pads and then build up buttresses at intervals to support the wall, or maybe drive steels down into the ground and fix the wall to that, we could even replace it with a wooden fence. But that would be half measures really so after a bit of head scratching we've decided to take it down and re build it properly. I like having a wall rather than a fence there as it feel more permanent and provides a lot of privacy for the patio.
The good news is that I spoke to the neighbour and he's agreed to go halves on it if we make his side nice as well - his side currently looks awful, it's not even pointed up and he says it's bothered him for years.
It's a major extra cost, there is over 2000 bricks to purchase let alone the labour to lay them, plus the footings and the time loading the materials out. It's one we hadn't budgeted for and it only really takes us back to where we started with this wall but at least if we do it right it should never need replacing again and provide years of privacy.
What would you do in our situation?
They say if you want it done properly do it yourself. At least when it's done you'll know it's a proper job and it'll last you forever. Maybe you could incorporate something into it at the same time, like cold frames or a BBQ? Or just shelves for pot plants or whatever. Good thing you caught it before it fell on one of the girls. Yes, these unexpected expense are a real pain, we've had several recently....a new fuse box as the plumber wouldn't touch the bathroom until it was done after our shower packed up (£650), and then having to get a new shower as well, (another £700), then the fridge door seal went (phew, only £20....) and to top it all yesterday I broke a crown on a front tooth so that's another £220 down the drain, is it ever going to end I wonder? You think you've budgeted for everything and then these things happen. Good thing your neighbour is sharing the cost of the wall.
ReplyDeleteI did think about a BBQ and the cold frames will get built but in a different place, not enough sun up on the patio as it faces north (although it'll be handy for cuttings.
DeleteUnexpected costs are a pain, we just had to buy a new dishwasher just before we started all this work (£400) and both the car and the van need new tyres all round.
I would do exactly what you're doing. As Sue says, do it properly now and it will last a lifetime. Bonus that your neighbour is going halves with the cost of rebuilding.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was nice of him , but when you see his side of the wall you can understand why he's willing to pay to have it look nice!
DeleteYep, I would bite the bullet and do a proper job now. Like you say once it's done that will be it done for good. It's good that your neighbour is happy to share the cost.
ReplyDeleteHe's a lovely guy and is always helpful. He's also going to share the cost on the drainage for the septic tank when we redo it as we share the tank and it soaks away into my fields
DeleteI would pull it down and dig a new foundation and shutter say a 18 inch inch high concrete foundation. Then I would clean up the bricks with a chisel and lump hammer and build a 3 foot high wall on top. You could even make wood panels on top of it Kev. You shouldn't need all the bricks and you can even buy second hand one's because it's an old wall. Do you really need it so high? I am sure you can do this very cheaply. Why not get a price off your brickie friend for laying the bricks and say you will labour on him and provide the materials and refreshments?
ReplyDeleteThe Bricks are shot really Dave. They're a soft brick and they've had 35 years of weather on them and are not looking good for it. Around here second hand one's tend to cost more than new (everyone wants reclaimed bricks at the moment).
DeleteAs for the hight I really like the privacy it gives and you never know when you're going to have a new neighbour who might not be as good as the current one.
As for getting a price, my mate does the work on a day rate, I make sure he has everything he needs close by and all the cake he can eat!
Rebuild before you finish the garden, if you leave it it will ruin any work you do when it comes down.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely- It's got to be the next job really I think, after the porch. I've got lots of drainage to put in around there as well for the extension and things.
Deletehey Kev, all bricks around here are on a 30 week wait and reclaimed bricks are 40 weeks on order and 5 times the price of new at the moment! is there a brick shortage?
ReplyDeleteSo I would say Womble the bricks from the old wall if you can and use them somewhere else. Or sell them and make yourself some money. Maybe even part of your half of the cost of the wall being rebuilt?
we are reusing the bricks from the 70's fire place to make a patio and the pillars for a pegola. Womble-ing at its finest.
p.s. how is your eldest Daughter getting on? I hope she is better.
That's why I've brought all my bricks for the whole extension in one go! I still need to buy ones for the wall though.
DeleteAs I've just written on Dave's comment, although I'd love to reuse the bricks they're pretty much shot and I think I'll be better off with new ones (also the wall is 65mm bricks and everywhere else is 73mm - It really bugs me for some reason!
DeleteWe've been referred to Birmingham now so just have to do some more waiting.
Count your blessings that your neighbor is of the same mind regarding the wall (and costs!). You'll both be invested in the process and as a result the work will be enjoyed/valued/maintained on both sides. Thankfully you'll be on it quickly so no accidents, especially with the girls so active these days. Keep us posted. :-D
ReplyDeleteHe's a good guy and has the same mindset about doing things only once which is good!
Deleterebuild now. Neighbour going half and being on board is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteA wall that size could kill a small person so do it sooner than later.
It's pretty high on the list, just need to get the porch walls up first. There be no playing by it when it's windy!
DeleteOne of my firs jobs after leaving high-school was tending for a mason. My first task was chipping the mortar off thousands of bricks from an an old 100 foot tall shoe mill chimney my boss had bought to reclaim the brick. It is tedious slow work but given the cost of bricks today, well worth the effort. Folks pay big money for weathered old bricks. As others have said, you could save yourself a pile of money if you cleaned up the bricks and reused them.
ReplyDeleteThey'd fall apart, I don;t think they were very good one's when they were first put in so are much worse for wear now. I've cleaned up many a brick in my day as well, dad took down a barn once adn we had to clean the bricks by hand - a fun job!
DeleteGet it done, even if you have to save for it. A wall looks so much better than a fence & one rebuilt properly will last for years & years. It's good your neighbour is willing to share the cost.
ReplyDeletei think as wall is so much nicer than a fence as well, I'd hate to lose it as well, I've always wanted a wall in my garden!
DeleteI guess I'd fix it. I have some flower bed walls and retaining walls that were made of railroad ties 25 years ago. Now they are rotting out. I have the same problems to resolve you do.
ReplyDeleteIs that the same as sleepers? If this goes back as a wall it's nice knowing it'll never have to be redone and will need very little maintenance.
DeleteDo it well do it right. Makes one so angry when slipshod work must be redone at great cost but in the end you'll be happier. Broke but happier. Can't wait to see the progress!
ReplyDelete