Thank you for including the labor costs. I see so many people bragging about how cheaply they can "do it themsevles" but they never factor in their time even though they know a professional crew would have to pay for the time. It's always an unfair comparison, yet it persists. It's also a great illustration of the 2nd Order Effects of things we support. As a blacksmith and amateur historian of the traditional trades, I see a lot of people lamenting that "we don't build nice things anymore" as they point to the wonderful craftsmanship of The Times Before. They never stop to think that they supported the very policies, laws, taxes, and regulations that made the cost of doing business so incredibly high. As you show, there aren't many people with a spare $30,000 to spend on some nice brickwork. Even public projects are going to be hard pressed to justify that cost when the money could go to far more important features in the building. Everyone talks about the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but never the million straws that came before it. Anyhow, thank you for the wonderful content. I've shared your video far and wide so that folks can see just what's involved in doing something truly spectacular. You're a credit to your family and your nation!
Thanks so much for the compliments, very much appreciated. Quality and unique design takes time, energy and money unless you’re prepared to learn the skills and have a go yourself. You’re right that the vast majority perhaps don’t give adequate consideration to the significant barriers when it comes to constructing elaborate design work, with adequate compensation to the skilled tradesmen being just one of many prohibiting factors. Enjoy the blacksmithing (something I’d like to get into once I’ve build my workshop) and keeping those traditional trades alive.
Thanks for the comment. I’m so looking forward to sharing the next project. I should get the design drawings finished today and start work on the project tomorrow 🤞
I'm so glad that I found this channel. I love the sound of the man's voice as much as his bricklaying skills. Reminds me of the narrator of Thomas the tank engine and friends.
Teaching secondary students you soon learn that hesitation is not an option if you want to keep the classes attention! Staffordshire born and bred, but never lost the accent although I've been in NZ for 20 years.
Thanks. Yes the sealer will be going on, just need to let the wall dry out first! There’s been sporadic rain for the past few weeks, just enough to keep it wet. Lime looks great and is cheap, but I wouldn’t use it on a high traffic area as it does track quite easily.
Congratulations on a job that has mesmerized your audience. I know because i tendo to read most of the comments. I think you should be very generous to Waterson, the bricklayer, with at least $25k to his piggybank!
Bloody great, i llok forward to the next project, i can imagine it already, sat in the sunshine enjoying a cool iced beverage overlooking the countryside
Top job Dan… you left no stone unturned in the project and did a great job… very impressed with your patience especially with all the cutting and preparation of the bricks 🧱! Great work 👍
@@danwaterson356thanks and ill be copying this wall soon - I’ve just finished a flint knapp in wall with big piers and coping stones to match a church nearby and have been brick laying for 40 years and my father before me was also a brilliant builder so not much i haven’t done in the game but you sir are a different class and a master for sure 🍀👍
Inspiring and comprehensive videos, thanks for making this content. I need another project like a hole in the head, but now that I've seen your build I've got a few new irons to add to the fire. Amazing attention to detail also, I've unintentionally learned a lot!
I'm glad I watched right up to the last minute. I too was going to suggest a sealer for the bullnose. Here in Ontario those old fired red bricks eventually start to wear down from rain and the freeze thaw cycle i imagine. Once the skin is eaten through it deteriorates very quickly. Granted most of those old homes are 100 plus years. Great job again. Very informative.
Thanks for the comment. It’s gets pretty cold in Ontario 🥶 The dense brick surface does give some degree of weather resistance, but once they’re ground to shape they become very absorbent. Not a big deal in NZ where I get only the occasional morning frost, but would certainly need sealing out your way!
Hi, interesting video. Outstanding brickwork ! About that labor cost estimate... I think that a professional would do the job a lot more quickly by using specialized equipment and tools. Surely, the landscaping and concrete part of the project would progress way faster than you did. That being said, at least in Canada finding a contractor able/willing to take such a specialized brickwork is by no easy feat. And it would cost a lot.
Thanks. Agreed, using an excavator would be way faster, as would having a cement truck deliver the ready mix. I don't think it would be any cheaper for the home owner, but it would certainly be quicker.
Thanks for the comment 👍. I’ve had times when I’m time poor, and times when I’m money poor (come to think of it I’ve also been time and money poor!) Doing things myself reduces the cost, and just adds to the enjoyment.
This series was so much fun to watch! I managed to be nearly right on in my guess of the material costs, $2500 US. 😄 Doing it yourself certainly saved a pretty penny, but man what a lot of work for one guy. You’re older than I am and I’m not sure I could see myself doing all that concrete work!
Thanks, and what a good estimate! I guessed $1000US before I started the job, so I was way off!🤣😂🤣 It was a lot of work, but you’re only as old as you feel….. although after this project I feel about 150 years old! My goal is to never have to pay for gym membership to stay fit.
The material costs sound reasonable for this day and age, but thankfully the labour costs were just your own time. Hopefully your videos will give others the incentive they need to have a go at their own projects when they see the savings that can be made in labour costs.
Agreed, I do hope others can be inspired to be creative and give it a go. You can gain so much satisfaction from doing it yourself, and save SO much money!
That wall looks great. I love the aerial shots showing the beautiful countryside. How about adding a home-made cast bronze plaque ("you are here / house number") to the wall (assuming it's at the entrance to your property)?
Thanks, the surrounding countryside is quite spectacular. A bronze plaque is a good idea, although in NZ we have letter boxes near the street (unlike the flap in the front door common in the UK). I’m thinking about a project to make a custom letter box, which would be near the wall and could have some kind of house number, etc.
I think your estimate is pretty spot on we charge a little more about 100 n hr inc gst! btw if you have any future walls like that the bullnose bricks are available to purchase from places live Horizon paving or Premier group!
Brilliant! Didn’t want to offend anyone by low-balling so tried to be accurate. Thanks for the tip on those bullnose, I had no idea they might be available!
Where would be the fun in buying the bull nose 😂 I couldn't believe it when I saw him setting to make them but he did fantastically however the longevity of purpose made ones might be better as they were quite a soft brick
The costs you have in NZ are a bit lower than what we have in Italy. Above all concrete here in the last 4 years have doubled. Labour cost though would be higher here so in end we would spend 17/18000 euro, which is roughly what you also calculated.
Salve, and thanks for the comparison. It’s great to compare with other countries. Things go up in price so much you wonder if others are experiencing the same. Post pandemic supply issues, and more recently high inflation have certainly added a significant percentage to the cost of living and building.
Good day Dan, thank you for the Videos. The commentary, editing and your attention to detail and sheer determination is outstanding and inspiring. Love it and thank you. May I kindly suggest your wood ATV bridge was smashing but I think you need a Landmark Bridge on your property. As a proud Scotsman I think you need a Swilcan Bridge based on St Andrews Old Course Bridge. Yes the golfing bridge. Anyhow thanks for the content.
Hello, and thanks for your kind words. I think the ATV bridge will only last around 2-3 years, so the clock is ticking towards a replacement! I wasn’t aware of the Swilcan bridge, but having looked it up it’s very similar to the Ashness bridge in the Lake District which I love. My mother is a Scot, so maybe I’ll take you up on your suggestion.
Hi Dan brilliant video and very well put together, I would have thought you could have lost that rubble removal in the land somewhere and not payed to dump it.
Thanks. I'm absolutely certain that wherever I decided to dig a hole and bury the rubble would end up being somewhere I have to dig up for a future project!!
Hi there Dan, I just wanted to let you know that this project is great I watched the one with you cutting and grinding and laying everything out to make sure of precision very cool.. I was an asphalt layer for 22 yrs and never had much brick work exposure , but I’ve always wanted to do it. Well I’m from the U S but for the last 3 years I’ve been down in Brazil and the building here is all blocks, hollow clay bricks and clay bricks like your using. So have finally gotten to do some brick work and I really like it . I’ve seen some cool things made from bricks but I think yours is one of the best ones I’ve seen. I like the way you do everything yourself reminds me of me. Do you have the measurements of the pattern board that you may be able to share with us that would be so cool because I don’t know if I could but I would really like to try it. Maybe I will just watch the video again and then I could maybe give it ago. Not sure but I would like to ask you for your permission to try this out I just really like the bullnose diamond shape, every eye catching and the rest is a thing of beauty also. Thanks Dan for this video and the chance to see that art can be done with ANYTHING.. I’m a new subscriber. Take Care Dan. Robert Stewart
Hi Robert, thanks for watching the project videos. I know what you mean about brick, I too grew up with a desire to build with brick and I'm really pleased to be able to have gotten skilled enough to give it a go. You're right that any media can be used to create art, and that structures don't have to be solely utilitarian. Regarding the measurements for the pattern board, if you watch the EPIC curved brick retaining wall Pt4 video and pause at 9:46-9:55 timestamp you can see my sketch of the template measurements. Give it a go, but don't expect it to be a quick process! All the best.
12.5days for a single brickie at 80/hr is a rort, a bricklayer will charge 3.9-4.5$ brick layed inc recycled reds price and I'd doubt they will bother with trenching and excavation works, any experienced landscaper with a labourer could probably finish this at 4 days minimum at 130/hr or 1500day. half a day for excavation works, half a day for concrete, half a day for blocks layed and a day for bricks layed, a day for crushed rock or subfill and half a day for screeding and compacting
Thanks for the comment and your estimations. I guess it's all subjective. A brickie may charge $4.50 a brick, and may be able to lay around 50-70 per hour but that's on a straight run using profiles and a string line. Curved walls require each brick to be levelled individually, patterned/angled bricks add considerable time, probably bringing it down to 20 bricks per hour. There's also the time taken to cut all the bricks, which perhaps a labourer could do. There are lots of ways to save money on a job like this (such as doing it yourself like I did!, then the total cost to me was only $2500) but I'd wager that a contractor willing to take on a job like this is going want to make profit (and why not, that's one reason they're in business) so think my overall estimate of close to (or even more than) $30K is probably accurate.
@@danwaterson356 for sure if You bought decorative bricks of forms required, You would save tons of money on your labor of cutting and profiling bricks. Nowadays labour is the most expensive part of construction; industrial production gives us cheapest possible prices for materials. So the price of $30k is not for retaining wall, it's for a piece of art.
Cost of bricks in UK, depends. decorative brick aged or specialist up to £2+ a brick for ordinary brick £0.60 upto £0.90 a brick depending were you buying from.
Sitting here in England today having been rained off, stumbled upon your project & watched the lot. Enjoyed every minute, just wondering to myself what occupation you have?
Welcome to the channel. We’ve had our fair share of rain the past week also! My various occupations have always been centred around design and manufacture, but for the past 18 years I’ve been the head of Design Technology at a secondary school.
Loved what you’ve done and how it looks. Last video, I thought that you were the mason on the job. Have you laid bricks before? Was it your first time? I really enjoyed your methods for construction and achieving such a unique wall. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻
Thanks so much. Not a mason, just a keen DIYer who loves trying out different skills (and saving money by doing it myself!) I've used brick on a couple of projects in the past - first wall 25 years ago, a wall and gate posts 10 years ago, then a shed around 5 years ago.
Welcome to the channel. At some point I’ll put up a video covering my background, but in summary I’ve served time as an engineer, product designer, cabinet maker and for the last 18 years headed up a design technology department in high school. I’ve always had an interest in design and have been building stuff for decades, but whilst I’ve always had a desire to film and edit content I’ve only just started to experiment (thoroughly enjoying it!)
You mentioned a viewer had said about sealing the new brickwork for protection! Do you know there thought process behind that? When i am building here in England depending on what sand i have been using just lately i have been seeing a fair bit of efflorescence from the salts in the bricks and mortar, I do not know if its a thing in NZ but you would want them to escape naturally before sealing anything!
Yes, shaping the bullnose bricks will remove the dense brick surface exposing and intensifying the porosity. If moisture is absorbed by the now porous surface, then freezes/thaws, it’ll cause heave leading to spalling (the face of the brick crumbling off). Sealing the surface with a clear brush on sealer prevents the moisture being absorbed. From what I understand, efflorescence is exacerbated by the minerals in the water mix. I’m using water from a natural spring, which has been fed through a three stage UV filter so I’m not concerned. Also it’s more prevalent with low temperatures and here in NZ I fly get the occasional light frost in the mornings. You could always just brush the sealer onto the face of the bricks and leave the mortar to weather.
Dan you'd be great for tv.your a cross between Jack Hargreaves.(how) fred dibnah and David Attenborough. Brilliant work, 40 yrs a bricky and that was fantastic work to watch
Some things are made, not for profit, but because one can. I have recently come up with a new metric to asess any feat. How would your relative from 1840 feel if you presented it? I bet yours would be proud.
I just subscribed because you make really interesting and instructional content but please...NO MORE MUSIC! MADDENING! I have to stay on the volume button the whole vid. Anyway, i DO still appreciate all your work and effort.
Thanks for the subscription. I hear you (no pun intended!) re the music. I’ve been debating the issue of music and volume. In the next video I’ll be trailing the use of less Infill music and at a VERY low volume and see how that is received.
Absolutely something I’m considering (my mother said the same thing!) I’m aware how annoying loud music can be, and did try this video out in a range of devices (phone, iPad, computer, TV, etc) but feel I haven’t got the volume mixing right yet. The next video will have music, but I’m going to try it at a VERY low background volume and see how that is received.
That's very good to know. I do love peace and quiet on life, but in videos 'dead air' just seems so out of place. I'll experiment with mixing volumes a bit more i think.
Dan , as a bricklayer for 35 years myself…the attention to detail you put in your project is really impressive , great work!
Thanks for your kind words🙏
Thank you for including the labor costs. I see so many people bragging about how cheaply they can "do it themsevles" but they never factor in their time even though they know a professional crew would have to pay for the time. It's always an unfair comparison, yet it persists.
It's also a great illustration of the 2nd Order Effects of things we support. As a blacksmith and amateur historian of the traditional trades, I see a lot of people lamenting that "we don't build nice things anymore" as they point to the wonderful craftsmanship of The Times Before. They never stop to think that they supported the very policies, laws, taxes, and regulations that made the cost of doing business so incredibly high. As you show, there aren't many people with a spare $30,000 to spend on some nice brickwork. Even public projects are going to be hard pressed to justify that cost when the money could go to far more important features in the building.
Everyone talks about the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back, but never the million straws that came before it.
Anyhow, thank you for the wonderful content. I've shared your video far and wide so that folks can see just what's involved in doing something truly spectacular. You're a credit to your family and your nation!
Thanks so much for the compliments, very much appreciated. Quality and unique design takes time, energy and money unless you’re prepared to learn the skills and have a go yourself. You’re right that the vast majority perhaps don’t give adequate consideration to the significant barriers when it comes to constructing elaborate design work, with adequate compensation to the skilled tradesmen being just one of many prohibiting factors. Enjoy the blacksmithing (something I’d like to get into once I’ve build my workshop) and keeping those traditional trades alive.
Your brick skills are top notch, but your narration voice is incredibly good.
Thanks so much for the compliments.
@@danwaterson356 he's right. If you can read, which most brickies can't haha, you'd have a good career in the audiobook business
Thank you for sharing all your hard work, it looks great.
Thanks for the comment. I’m so looking forward to sharing the next project. I should get the design drawings finished today and start work on the project tomorrow 🤞
You did a really good job on that wall 👍 Colorado Springs , Co . USA 🇺🇸
Thanks so much 🙏. You live in a beautiful part of the world!
I'm so glad that I found this channel. I love the sound of the man's voice as much as his bricklaying skills. Reminds me of the narrator of Thomas the tank engine and friends.
Thanks for the comment and compliment!
@@danwaterson356 you're welcome, Mr Waterson. You speak without repetition, hesitation or deviation. So you have an old Lancashire Liverpool accent?
Teaching secondary students you soon learn that hesitation is not an option if you want to keep the classes attention! Staffordshire born and bred, but never lost the accent although I've been in NZ for 20 years.
That wall is a masterpiece.
Thanks for the comment 🙏
Glad to hear you're gonna apply sealer. Wonderful work. Lime is a good choice!
Thanks. Yes the sealer will be going on, just need to let the wall dry out first! There’s been sporadic rain for the past few weeks, just enough to keep it wet.
Lime looks great and is cheap, but I wouldn’t use it on a high traffic area as it does track quite easily.
Congratulations on a job that has mesmerized your audience. I know because i tendo to read most of the comments. I think you should be very generous to Waterson, the bricklayer, with at least $25k to his piggybank!
Thanks. It certainly pays to DIY!
Just love what you have done and you excel in your presentation skills 👌
Thanks for the comment, and appreciate you picked up on the presentation 👍
So glad I found this little gem of a channel. It was very easy to click that subscribe button.
Thanks for the compliment and the subscription.
Bloody great, i llok forward to the next project, i can imagine it already, sat in the sunshine enjoying a cool iced beverage overlooking the countryside
Thanks for the comment. That cold iced beverage sounds inviting!
Top job Dan… you left no stone unturned in the project and did a great job… very impressed with your patience especially with all the cutting and preparation of the bricks 🧱! Great work 👍
Thanks. No stone or brick unturned is right! 👍
Cheap and classy...a work of art set in the wilderness!
Thanks! 🙏
Merci pour cette vidéo. A bientôt.
Avec plaisir. Nouvelle vidéo sortie dans 12 heures! The next video is about to drop...
You’ve absolutely nailed it- probably the best I’ve seen 🍀👍
Very good of you to say 🙏
@@danwaterson356thanks and ill be copying this wall soon - I’ve just finished a flint knapp in wall with big piers and coping stones to match a church nearby and have been brick laying for 40 years and my father before me was also a brilliant builder so not much i haven’t done in the game but you sir are a different class and a master for sure 🍀👍
Inspiring and comprehensive videos, thanks for making this content. I need another project like a hole in the head, but now that I've seen your build I've got a few new irons to add to the fire. Amazing attention to detail also, I've unintentionally learned a lot!
🤣 ha! Sorry!!! Great comment though.
I'm glad I watched right up to the last minute. I too was going to suggest a sealer for the bullnose. Here in Ontario those old fired red bricks eventually start to wear down from rain and the freeze thaw cycle i imagine. Once the skin is eaten through it deteriorates very quickly. Granted most of those old homes are 100 plus years. Great job again. Very informative.
Thanks for the comment. It’s gets pretty cold in Ontario 🥶 The dense brick surface does give some degree of weather resistance, but once they’re ground to shape they become very absorbent. Not a big deal in NZ where I get only the occasional morning frost, but would certainly need sealing out your way!
Yes!!!!!!! I've found another gem of a site,brilliant work
Thank you 🙏 and welcome to the journey.
Hi, interesting video. Outstanding brickwork !
About that labor cost estimate... I think that a professional would do the job a lot more quickly by using specialized equipment and tools. Surely, the landscaping and concrete part of the project would progress way faster than you did. That being said, at least in Canada finding a contractor able/willing to take such a specialized brickwork is by no easy feat. And it would cost a lot.
Thanks. Agreed, using an excavator would be way faster, as would having a cement truck deliver the ready mix. I don't think it would be any cheaper for the home owner, but it would certainly be quicker.
I wish i had the time and money to do something like this. Beautiful work sir!
Thanks for the comment 👍. I’ve had times when I’m time poor, and times when I’m money poor (come to think of it I’ve also been time and money poor!) Doing things myself reduces the cost, and just adds to the enjoyment.
I watched part 4 and then this. I guess you’ve gained another sub, I’m looking forward to your back catalogue and what’s to come. Thank you. 🙏
🙏 thanks for the sub! My back catalogue is quite short, so now is a great time to join. 👍
i have struck gold again, thankyou UA-cam algorithm's, a relaxing oasis of calm and civility in a world of shouting heads. subscribed and belled
What a lovely comment, thanks. I know exactly what you mean though!
Thanks for the costing and your thoughts, great vid and keep on trucking 👍
Thanks for the comment, and encouragement 🙏
This series was so much fun to watch! I managed to be nearly right on in my guess of the material costs, $2500 US. 😄
Doing it yourself certainly saved a pretty penny, but man what a lot of work for one guy. You’re older than I am and I’m not sure I could see myself doing all that concrete work!
Thanks, and what a good estimate! I guessed $1000US before I started the job, so I was way off!🤣😂🤣
It was a lot of work, but you’re only as old as you feel….. although after this project I feel about 150 years old! My goal is to never have to pay for gym membership to stay fit.
The material costs sound reasonable for this day and age, but thankfully the labour costs were just your own time. Hopefully your videos will give others the incentive they need to have a go at their own projects when they see the savings that can be made in labour costs.
Agreed, I do hope others can be inspired to be creative and give it a go. You can gain so much satisfaction from doing it yourself, and save SO much money!
That wall looks great. I love the aerial shots showing the beautiful countryside. How about adding a home-made cast bronze plaque ("you are here / house number") to the wall (assuming it's at the entrance to your property)?
Thanks, the surrounding countryside is quite spectacular. A bronze plaque is a good idea, although in NZ we have letter boxes near the street (unlike the flap in the front door common in the UK). I’m thinking about a project to make a custom letter box, which would be near the wall and could have some kind of house number, etc.
Absolutely fantastic work! Your video work is great, and your craftsmanship is top tier!
Very kind of you to say!
Looks amazing!
Thanks. Now it’s been mellowing for a few months it’s started to really look like it’s been there forever!
Worth every cent!
I agree! 👍
What a fantastic project and I love the back and forth of this video! Greetings from Germany to NZ, from one Dan to another!
Guten Tag Dan! The back and forth is likely to be polarising- but I think I got the balance right. 👍
Fantastic.
Thanks 👍
Nice work, finally ready to park on and enjoy.
Absolutely!
I think your estimate is pretty spot on we charge a little more about 100 n hr inc gst! btw if you have any future walls like that the bullnose bricks are available to purchase from places live Horizon paving or Premier group!
Brilliant! Didn’t want to offend anyone by low-balling so tried to be accurate. Thanks for the tip on those bullnose, I had no idea they might be available!
Where would be the fun in buying the bull nose 😂 I couldn't believe it when I saw him setting to make them but he did fantastically however the longevity of purpose made ones might be better as they were quite a soft brick
The costs you have in NZ are a bit lower than what we have in Italy. Above all concrete here in the last 4 years have doubled.
Labour cost though would be higher here so in end we would spend 17/18000 euro, which is roughly what you also calculated.
Salve, and thanks for the comparison. It’s great to compare with other countries. Things go up in price so much you wonder if others are experiencing the same. Post pandemic supply issues, and more recently high inflation have certainly added a significant percentage to the cost of living and building.
Good day Dan, thank you for the Videos. The commentary, editing and your attention to detail and sheer determination is outstanding and inspiring. Love it and thank you. May I kindly suggest your wood ATV bridge was smashing but I think you need a Landmark Bridge on your property. As a proud Scotsman I think you need a Swilcan Bridge based on St Andrews Old Course Bridge. Yes the golfing bridge. Anyhow thanks for the content.
Hello, and thanks for your kind words. I think the ATV bridge will only last around 2-3 years, so the clock is ticking towards a replacement! I wasn’t aware of the Swilcan bridge, but having looked it up it’s very similar to the Ashness bridge in the Lake District which I love. My mother is a Scot, so maybe I’ll take you up on your suggestion.
Hi Dan brilliant video and very well put together, I would have thought you could have lost that rubble removal in the land somewhere and not payed to dump it.
Thanks. I'm absolutely certain that wherever I decided to dig a hole and bury the rubble would end up being somewhere I have to dig up for a future project!!
Looks fantastic mate. Looking forward to the next project ❤
Kind of you to say. Next project videos coming soon.
amazing how expensive the labor is estimated as. and I think it is accurate.
I know, right? Just goes to show it pays to DIY.
Great job. 👍
🙏 thank you 👍
I’m so impressed with your Brickwork, Dan! 🙏 I think your UA-cam channel is going to become very popular!
Thank you. I do hope so😀
Hi there Dan, I just wanted to let you know that this project is great I watched the one with you cutting and grinding and laying everything out to make sure of precision very cool.. I was an asphalt layer for 22 yrs and never had much brick work exposure , but I’ve always wanted to do it. Well I’m from the U S but for the last 3 years I’ve been down in Brazil and the building here is all blocks, hollow clay bricks and clay bricks like your using. So have finally gotten to do some brick work and I really like it . I’ve seen some cool things made from bricks but I think yours is one of the best ones I’ve seen. I like the way you do everything yourself reminds me of me. Do you have the measurements of the pattern board that you may be able to share with us that would be so cool because I don’t know if I could but I would really like to try it. Maybe I will just watch the video again and then I could maybe give it ago. Not sure but I would like to ask you for your permission to try this out I just really like the bullnose diamond shape, every eye catching and the rest is a thing of beauty also. Thanks Dan for this video and the chance to see that art can be done with ANYTHING.. I’m a new subscriber.
Take Care Dan.
Robert Stewart
Hi Robert, thanks for watching the project videos. I know what you mean about brick, I too grew up with a desire to build with brick and I'm really pleased to be able to have gotten skilled enough to give it a go. You're right that any media can be used to create art, and that structures don't have to be solely utilitarian. Regarding the measurements for the pattern board, if you watch the EPIC curved brick retaining wall Pt4 video and pause at 9:46-9:55 timestamp you can see my sketch of the template measurements. Give it a go, but don't expect it to be a quick process! All the best.
12.5days for a single brickie at 80/hr is a rort, a bricklayer will charge 3.9-4.5$ brick layed inc recycled reds price and I'd doubt they will bother with trenching and excavation works, any experienced landscaper with a labourer could probably finish this at 4 days minimum at 130/hr or 1500day. half a day for excavation works, half a day for concrete, half a day for blocks layed and a day for bricks layed, a day for crushed rock or subfill and half a day for screeding and compacting
Thanks for the comment and your estimations.
I guess it's all subjective. A brickie may charge $4.50 a brick, and may be able to lay around 50-70 per hour but that's on a straight run using profiles and a string line. Curved walls require each brick to be levelled individually, patterned/angled bricks add considerable time, probably bringing it down to 20 bricks per hour. There's also the time taken to cut all the bricks, which perhaps a labourer could do. There are lots of ways to save money on a job like this (such as doing it yourself like I did!, then the total cost to me was only $2500) but I'd wager that a contractor willing to take on a job like this is going want to make profit (and why not, that's one reason they're in business) so think my overall estimate of close to (or even more than) $30K is probably accurate.
@@danwaterson356 for sure if You bought decorative bricks of forms required, You would save tons of money on your labor of cutting and profiling bricks. Nowadays labour is the most expensive part of construction; industrial production gives us cheapest possible prices for materials. So the price of $30k is not for retaining wall, it's for a piece of art.
Cost of bricks in UK, depends. decorative brick aged or specialist up to £2+ a brick for ordinary brick £0.60 upto £0.90 a brick depending were you buying from.
Not a bad comparison then. Thanks for that.
Are you @clickspring's father? Beautiful and precise brickwork, and top notch narration. Happy I stumbled on your channel.
Welcome, and thanks for the compliment! I had to look @clickspring up, fascinating channel!
Beautiful work!!!
Thank you 🙏
Great value Dan for such an amazing wall .look forward to the next project.
Justin @Brickright 👍 👍
Hi Justin @Brickrightbuilinglandscaping thanks. I’m very pleased with the final bill of around $2500 for materials 👍
@@danwaterson356
👍🧱🧱🙌
Nice work and great video. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment 🙏
Sitting here in England today having been rained off, stumbled upon your project & watched the lot. Enjoyed every minute, just wondering to myself what occupation you have?
Welcome to the channel. We’ve had our fair share of rain the past week also! My various occupations have always been centred around design and manufacture, but for the past 18 years I’ve been the head of Design Technology at a secondary school.
@@danwaterson356 do a lot of building & paving work myself, nice to see someone doing the job write
Loved what you’ve done and how it looks.
Last video, I thought that you were the mason on the job.
Have you laid bricks before? Was it your first time?
I really enjoyed your methods for construction and achieving
such a unique wall.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👊🏻
Thanks so much. Not a mason, just a keen DIYer who loves trying out different skills (and saving money by doing it myself!)
I've used brick on a couple of projects in the past - first wall 25 years ago, a wall and gate posts 10 years ago, then a shed around 5 years ago.
@@danwaterson356 really a Pro Outcome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
New subscriber really enjoying your videos what is your background 👍🇬🇧
Welcome to the channel. At some point I’ll put up a video covering my background, but in summary I’ve served time as an engineer, product designer, cabinet maker and for the last 18 years headed up a design technology department in high school. I’ve always had an interest in design and have been building stuff for decades, but whilst I’ve always had a desire to film and edit content I’ve only just started to experiment (thoroughly enjoying it!)
You mentioned a viewer had said about sealing the new brickwork for protection! Do you know there thought process behind that? When i am building here in England depending on what sand i have been using just lately i have been seeing a fair bit of efflorescence from the salts in the bricks and mortar, I do not know if its a thing in NZ but you would want them to escape naturally before sealing anything!
Yes, shaping the bullnose bricks will remove the dense brick surface exposing and intensifying the porosity. If moisture is absorbed by the now porous surface, then freezes/thaws, it’ll cause heave leading to spalling (the face of the brick crumbling off). Sealing the surface with a clear brush on sealer prevents the moisture being absorbed. From what I understand, efflorescence is exacerbated by the minerals in the water mix. I’m using water from a natural spring, which has been fed through a three stage UV filter so I’m not concerned. Also it’s more prevalent with low temperatures and here in NZ I fly get the occasional light frost in the mornings. You could always just brush the sealer onto the face of the bricks and leave the mortar to weather.
Dan you'd be great for tv.your a cross between Jack Hargreaves.(how) fred dibnah and David Attenborough. Brilliant work, 40 yrs a bricky and that was fantastic work to watch
That’s quite a collection of old Masters you’re naming there- so quite the compliment! Thanks so much for the comment.
@@danwaterson356 your a natural at explaining and delivering things . Lol
What software do you use to design your projects?
I usually use Sketchup for designing.
As soon as you said spreadsheet i knew you werent a Bricklayer 😁
🤣😂🤣 too true!
Some things are made, not for profit, but because one can. I have recently come up with a new metric to asess any feat. How would your relative from 1840 feel if you presented it? I bet yours would be proud.
That is a great metric for any creation, love it.
@@danwaterson356 feel free to pass around! 🙂
You really should be a telly presenter mate.
Ha! that's very kind of you to say.
"Your retaining wall is over engineered"
Mother nature: we'll see about that
Too right! 😬
Dan, are you originally from England?
Yes, Staffordshire.
How long have you lived in NZ bro.?
Best part of 20 years
Don't forget, the contractor is going to add at least 20% to all material costs.
That’s a good point you make, and would probably need some profit on top of the hourly rate……pushing closer to NZ$40k 😬
@@danwaterson356 I would happily pay it for quality craftsmanship.
Around 0,5 pound per brick in Poland
to dobra wartość! I remember when they were that cheap here....👍
I just subscribed because you make really interesting and instructional content but please...NO MORE MUSIC! MADDENING! I have to stay on the volume button the whole vid. Anyway, i DO still appreciate all your work and effort.
Thanks for the subscription. I hear you (no pun intended!) re the music. I’ve been debating the issue of music and volume. In the next video I’ll be trailing the use of less Infill music and at a VERY low volume and see how that is received.
Дешевле конечно когда бесплатно достанется материалы и сам делаешь.
Безусловно, я большой поклонник повторного использования и переработки материалов, не в последнюю очередь потому, что это полезно для моего кошелька!
How effing big are your hands , theyre huge .
🤣😂🤣 all the better for picking up building materials!
@@danwaterson356 true my friend
Got say big elephant in the room you don't look like a elephant lol
🤣😂🤣 that’s only because of all the digging I’m doing…..
Your certainly a grafter
Hard work never killed anyone (actually I guess it has….🤔)
i really like your videos but perhaps you can consider not using music
Absolutely something I’m considering (my mother said the same thing!) I’m aware how annoying loud music can be, and did try this video out in a range of devices (phone, iPad, computer, TV, etc) but feel I haven’t got the volume mixing right yet. The next video will have music, but I’m going to try it at a VERY low background volume and see how that is received.
@@danwaterson356 I don´t mind the music.
That's very good to know. I do love peace and quiet on life, but in videos 'dead air' just seems so out of place. I'll experiment with mixing volumes a bit more i think.
Subscribed, nice content!
Thanks for the subscription 👍