As a client, we want to purchase a product – a well-constructed brick wall. What we must purchase are bricks and sundries and, separately, the labour to construct the wall. Why is this still the case, when we can acquire other building elements on a supply-and-fix basis with an assurance of quality and deliverability?
The brick manufacturing industry really needs to tackle the needs of its clients and to supply a completed product. The BDA should campaign to encourage its members to train and employ bricklayers to the benefit of construction clients, the brick manufacturing industry, and the bricklayers themselves.
Alternatively, they could specify approved bricklaying gangs who meet certain standards.
If they fail to do this, despite the benefits of brickwork, their clients will increasingly choose to specify other methods of external cladding.
Postscript
Alan Yates, director of regeneration, Accord Housing Associations, West Midlands.
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