Craig Todd Brickwork

I shared this question on my Instagram Story recently, and it got me thinking.

For me, it’s never just one thing.

Trust earns you the opportunity.

Quality gives clients the confidence to use you again.

Strong relationships are built through communication, reliability and consistently delivering on your promises.

Convenience might get you through the door once, but it rarely earns repeat business unless it’s backed by trust and quality.

Recently, we were invited back to a bespoke self-build home where we completed the original brickwork last year. The client asked us to return and complete the next phase of the project.

To me, that’s one of the biggest compliments a contractor can receive.

If you had to choose just one, which has the biggest impact on earning repeat business—and why?

#Construction #Leadership #Business #PropertyDevelopment #Brickwork

6 days ago | [YT] | 1

Craig Todd Brickwork

One of the best compliments you can get in this trade… is a client asking you back. 👊

📸 Click each image to see the full photo — YouTube crops the preview.

Last year, we built the brickwork on this bespoke self-build in Northumberland.

Recently, the clients invited us back to complete the entrance feature, including the curved walls, feature piers, raised borders and stepped access.

There’s something satisfying about returning to a project you’ve helped build and seeing it evolve.

The landscaping and driveway are still to come, but the brickwork has already transformed the entrance.

Would you rather just build the house… or come back later and complete a feature like this aswell?

👇 Let me know in the comments.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 6

Craig Todd Brickwork

Where have I been? 👋 If you haven’t seen my stories, you might have noticed I’ve gone quiet on here.

Truth is… I’ve been busy doing what actually grows the business.

Over the last year I haven’t been able to share much of what we’ve been working on. One of our projects had restrictions around filming and photography, so instead of worrying about creating content every day, I put that energy into learning, improving and running the business.

Looking back, it was probably one of the best things that could have happened.

Yes, the social media slowed down & we lost potential revenue there…

But my knowledge, experience and confidence grew massively.

And that’s an investment that’ll pay dividends for years to come.

⸻

The lads have been producing some cracking work, we’ve wrapped up on the bungalow project.

Now we’re filling the gaps while waiting for our next major jobs to start.

Thankfully, we’ve built relationships with the kind of developers we want to work with, and we’ve currently got:

✅ Two high-end self-builds in tender
✅ Six new-build houses in tender
✅ A number of other sizeable projects submitted

There’s definitely work out there…

It just feels slower to start than it has in previous years.

Personally, I think planning delays and funding are causing a bottleneck. Projects are getting priced, but many aren’t getting the green light as quickly as they used to.

Is anyone else finding the same?

⸻

For me personally, this last year has been different.

I’ve spent far less time on the tools and much more time growing the business, pricing work, building relationships and taking on a site management role.

Recently though, I found myself back on the tools.

Last year we completed a timber frame home in Northumberland and were invited back to build the decorative entrance feature and brickwork leading up to the house.

(Photos coming soon…)

I loved being back laying bricks.

But I’ll admit…

After spending so much time managing projects instead of laying every day, I realised I’d lost my strength and fitness.

That was the wake-up call I needed.

I’ve started training again, eating properly and looking after myself because if I’m asking the lads to perform every day, I need to lead by example.

It’s already making a huge difference.

⸻

So that’s the short version of where I’ve been.

I’m planning to get back into posting regularly, and if these upcoming projects get the green light, I’ll be documenting the builds from start to finish.

Hopefully there’ll be plenty of content to share.

I’m genuinely interested…

Bricklayers & subcontractors:
How’s work looking for you at the minute?

Main contractors & developers:
Are you finding projects are taking longer to get moving this year?

It feels like the work is there…

It’s just taking longer to leave the drawing board.

#Construction #Brickwork #HouseBuilding #PropertyDevelopment #ConstructionManagement #SiteManagement #SelfBuild #NorthEastEngland

1 week ago | [YT] | 11

Craig Todd Brickwork

I’ve been quiet on here for a bit, and there’s a reason for that.

Alongside my brickwork contractor role, I’ve taken on the Site Management role and I’m also learning the Principal Contractor role on the job, working under our PC.
That’s meant long days, steep learning curves, constant training and a lot of self improvement behind the scenes.

I won’t sugar coat it, it’s been absolutely hellish at times.
But it’s 100% worth the effort.

I also want to say a genuine thank you to everyone who messaged to check I was alright while I’d gone quiet. That meant a lot.

Here’s an update of where the site’s at now 👇

• 4 houses built, plastered out and whitewashed
• The 5th almost ready for first fix electrics & plumbing this week
• 2 additional plots pulled out at the top of the site
• Both up to DPC with PCC beams and flooring complete, ready for superstructure

Alongside that:
• Brickwork boundary walls complete
• Boundary fencing installed
• Rear plot landscaping done, patios, walkways and external areas
• Large reduced dig completed to remove contaminated land and replace with clean topsoil
• Windows and doors installed, the contrast with the stonework, brick colour, roof and fascias looks spot on
• Additional solar panels installed to help SAP calcs, allowing gas boilers to be used

All of this has been delivered while dealing with proper British weather.
Heavy rain has caused delays, the drainage, utilities and main road works delayed, and our temporary road has taken a battering, making access difficult at times. But it’s been about adapting, overcoming issues, and keeping the job moving forward regardless.

What I’m proud of isn’t just the progress, it’s how the site’s being run.

Clear footpaths.
Traffic management in place.
Clean, tidy, compliant and safe.

That’s the standard I expect, whether I’m laying bricks, managing the site, or learning the PC role.

Back to posting again now.
As always, the focus stays the same: do it properly, take responsibility, and deliver quality homes.

#Construction #HouseBuilding #ResidentialDevelopment #PrincipalContractor #SiteManagement #Brickwork #HealthAndSafety #UKConstruction #NorthEastUK

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6 months ago | [YT] | 16

Craig Todd Brickwork

Been absolutely hammering it down lately, road’s not even in yet, but site’s still looking mint.
*click for full pic*


Groundworkers have cracked on with drainage, utilities, fencing & paving. Plasterers smashing through the top 2 plots, nearly wrapped up.

Joiners firing trusses up ready for the brickys, who’ve been grafting non stop to get the right hand plots up to wall plate.

Another 3 plots will be watertight before long and the internals will be flying again.

Developers want momentum. Trades want organised sites. That’s what we’re building here.

#PropertyDevelopment #HouseBuilding #ConstructionUK #Tradesmen #Groundworks #Bricklayers #Joinery #Plastering #SiteManagement #HouseBuilders

9 months ago | [YT] | 3

Craig Todd Brickwork

You can tell a lot about a build by the plastering.
If it’s sloppy, the whole place feels cheap.
If it’s sharp, smooth, and bang on, suddenly buyers see the quality.

That’s why I love working with lads who get it right first time. No snags, no bodges, no hold ups further down the line.

The photos do the talking here 👇

#PropertyDevelopment #NewBuild #Plastering #QualityFinish #SnagFree #BuildItRight #SiteProgress

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9 months ago | [YT] | 7

Craig Todd Brickwork

Trusses on, ready for peaks & the roof going on, we’ll be watertight before you know it.
*click for full pic*

For developers, this is the turning point. No more praying the weather holds. No more waiting around. Once we’re sealed up, the sparks, plumbers, and chippies can crack straight on.

Every day a build sits idle, it costs money. That’s why we graft to get watertight quick, so you’re not left stressing about delays or chasing trades that can’t start.

Keep it moving. Keep it earning. That’s how we work.

#PropertyDevelopment #HouseBuilding #NewBuildUK #Construction #PropertyDevelopers #UKConstruction #SiteProgress #BuildingHomes

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9 months ago | [YT] | 10

Craig Todd Brickwork

Right, let’s have it straight! Ibstock bricks are a joke! The quality is shocking.

You get slated & pulled online & onsite, “look at that bed joint, it’s all over the place.” Yeah alright mate, but when there’s up to 5mm difference in the height of a single brick, what do you expect?

At the end of the day, you can only piss with the cock you’ve got, and this is the gear we’ve been lumped with. Poor tolerances, bad quality, and still somehow it’s the lads on the tools that get the stick. We’re bricklayers, not bloody magicians.

And here’s Ibstock calling themselves a leading manufacturer. Leading who, exactly? Certainly not by example.

Truth is, it’s not the brickies making a mess of things. It’s the manufacturers pumping out substandard gear, then acting like we’re the problem & expecting us to make them look perfect.

That said, I’ll back my lads every time. They graft, they adapt, and they still turn out work to be proud of. Just imagine the standard we’d hit if we actually had decent materials.

So what do you reckon? Should brickies keep carrying the can, or should manufacturers like Ibstock be held accountable & start owning their part in this?

👇 Let’s hear it.

⸻

#Bricklayers #BuildingMaterials #Brickwork #Tradesmen #QualityMatters #PropertyDevelopers #UKConstruction #newbuildhome #ibstock

9 months ago | [YT] | 14

Craig Todd Brickwork

Tight squeeze? Bit awkward? Course it is.
But that’s the job.

**click for full pic**

Kick up a fuss, moan about access, drag our heels.
We just crack on. Head down, get the graft in, get it done.

End of the day, all that matters is moving the job forward.

No excuses. No drama. Just progress.

⸻

#Brickwork #ConstructionUK #QualityBuild #DevelopersUK #CleanWork #SiteLife #BuildersUK #ProfessionalTrades #Bricklayers #NewBuildHome

10 months ago | [YT] | 8

Craig Todd Brickwork

The only thing rough here is the fella running his mouth.

**click for full pic**

Some bloke reckoned we “must be rough as toast cause I only post drone shots.” 🤦‍♂️
Not that I need to justify our graft to anyone, but here’s a close up for you. 🖕

Exactly like I’ve said before, clean, quality work.

If you’re a bricky who can graft and get on with anyone give me a bell.
If you’re a baghead running your mouth like this lad don’t bother, you won’t last here.
And if you’re a developer who’s sick to death of idiots and just want a professional on your job, ring me.

#Brickwork #ConstructionUK #QualityBuild #DevelopersUK #CleanWork #SiteLife #BuildersUK #ProfessionalTrades #Bricklayers #NewBuildHome

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10 months ago | [YT] | 16