Temporary cover/ canopy to allow bricklaying

[AFT4B]

We've lost almost all of January to rain and February looks to be much of the same.

Hence the final structural bit of our project (front porch) is continually being delayed (and holding up other work).

Is it a done thing/ normal/ possible to use some sort of temporary canopy to allow bricklaying to happen whilst being shielded from the rain? Obviously on bigger projects the whole house may be covered with scaffolding etc.

Temperatures where we are have been around 9-10 degrees so that doesn't seem to be a problem but the builder seems reluctant (I don't think he's delaying because of other jobs). But seem odd as I would have thought he would want to get it done, paid and move on to the next job.

 

[blup]

You would get it sheeted over if that was costed in the contract, temperatures do vary over the course of the day, that and the rain make completion uncertain. Do you have a contractual completion date/timeframe?

 

[cdbe]

This was me. With hindsight a cheap gazebo might have been a good investment, obviously suitably weighted down.

 

[^woody^]

No don't bother bricklaying in the rain - even under any sort of heath-robinson cover. The risk of it becoming a right mess forever is too great.

Just make sure you cover all bricks blocks and sand to keep them dry, unless you love white bricks and mortar and cracked blocks and plaster.

 

[AFT4B]

You would get it sheeted over if that was costed in the contract, temperatures do vary over the course of the day, that and the rain make completion uncertain. Do you have a contractual completion date/timeframe?

There is no mention of coverings in the contract but I'm willing to pay for/ allow use of materials on site to make a covering as it's ultimately for my benefit (and delays are costing me more).

The completion date has passed but again, it's not really the builders fault as the rain fall has been unusually high for the time of year. I'm being as patient as I can be because I know if I'm pushy it gives the builder a ready made "you insisted when we told you not to..." excuse.

 

[AFT4B]

This was me. With hindsight a cheap gazebo might have been a good investment, obviously suitably weighted down.

View attachment 406757

Were you actually laying bricks under this or is this the covering when the rain came?

 

[AFT4B]

No don't bother bricklaying in the rain - even under any sort of heath-robinson cover. The risk of it becoming a right mess forever is too great.

Just make sure you cover all bricks blocks and sand to keep them dry, unless you love white bricks and mortar and cracked blocks and plaster.

Even under a proper oversized gazebo? I know it's not ideal but what would have taken 4 days to lay could be done in 6 days with a bit more care. But sooner - which benefits all.
Of course I get that it would need the builder to be extra careful (which isn't most builders strongest skillset).

I've covered as much materials as I reasonably can. Although almost all of these materials sit in the builders merchants uncovered.

 

[^woody^]

Even under a proper oversized gazebo?

No.

They are never high enough and never the right size or shape, and legs are always in the way and always will be knocked. Rain flies off the edges and splashes everywhere, and it's just a miserable way of working.

I will challenge anyone who knocks up some sort of cover not to have rain cascade down the wall that's just being built or have compo splashing all over the place by all the ducking and diving.

Gazebos are for BBQs and rainy days are for offices or bar stools.

 

[blup]

There is no mention of coverings in the contract but I'm willing to pay for/ allow use of materials on site to make a covering as it's ultimately for my benefit (and delays are costing me more).

The completion date has passed but again, it's not really the builders fault as the rain fall has been unusually high for the time of year. I'm being as patient as I can be because I know if I'm pushy it gives the builder a ready made "you insisted when we told you not to..." excuse.

If there is no breach of trust stay patient

 

[AFT4B]

No.

They are never high enough and never the right size or shape, and legs are always in the way and always will be knocked. Rain flies off the edges and splashes everywhere, and it's just a miserable way of working.

I will challenge anyone who knocks up some sort of cover not to have rain cascade down the wall that's just being built or have compo splashing all over the place by all the ducking and diving.

Gazebos are for BBQs and rainy days are for offices or bar stools.

I get it.

But I am also worried that the bricklayer will try to do too much on days there is no rain and rush the job.

Feeling like I'm in a no-win situation. Not knocking the builder as such either because the weather is what the weather is. Lesson learnt - don't do building work in winter.