What To Look For When Hiring A Bricklaying Contractor In Sussex

Choosing the right bricklaying contractor is one of the most important decisions a developer, main contractor or housing association can make.

The quality of the masonry work on a project has a direct and lasting impact on the structural integrity, weather resistance and appearance of the finished building, and poor brickwork is both costly and disruptive to put right. Here is what to look for when evaluating bricklaying contractors in Sussex and the surrounding area.

Relevant Experience With A Proven Track Record

The first thing to establish is whether the contractor has direct experience of the type of project you are commissioning.

Residential housing developments, commercial office buildings, healthcare facilities and housing association schemes all have different requirements, and a contractor who has worked extensively on one type of project may not be the right fit for another.

Ask to see examples of comparable completed projects and, where possible, speak to previous clients about their experience of working with the contractor.

A reputable bricklaying company will be happy to provide references and evidence of their work, and any reluctance to do so should be treated as a warning sign.

Qualifications / Accreditations

CSCS Cards

All operatives working on a construction site in the UK should hold a valid Construction Skills Certification Scheme card appropriate to their role. CSCS cards demonstrate that the holder has the relevant qualifications and health and safety knowledge to work safely on site.

Before appointing any bricklaying contractor, confirming that all their operatives hold valid CSCS cards is a basic but important check.

Industry Memberships

Membership of recognised industry bodies (such as the Federation of Master Builders or the Chartered Institute of Building), provides an additional level of assurance about a contractor's professionalism and commitment to quality.

Whilst membership alone is not a guarantee of quality, it does indicate that the contractor takes their professional standing seriously and is subject to a code of conduct.

Industry Awards

Where a contractor has been recognised for the quality of their work through industry awards or accreditations, this is a strong positive indicator.

Award-winning brickwork requires a level of skill, consistency and attention to detail that goes well beyond the minimum required to complete a job adequately, and contractors who have achieved recognition of this kind have demonstrated their commitment to excellence in a very public way.

Insurance & Regulatory Compliance

Any bricklaying contractor you appoint should carry adequate public liability insurance (typically a minimum of £5 million) as well as employers liability insurance covering all operatives working on your site.

Requesting copies of current insurance certificates before work begins is a standard and sensible precaution that protects both parties if something goes wrong.

The contractor should also be able to demonstrate compliance with all relevant health and safety legislation, including the Construction Design and Management Regulations.

On larger projects, this means having appropriate systems in place for method statements, risk assessments and site safety management.

Capacity & Resource

A contractor may have an excellent track record but simply not have the capacity to resource your project adequately alongside their existing commitments.

Before appointing, establish clearly how many operatives will be allocated to your project, how the contractor plans to manage the programme and what contingency they have in place if key personnel are unavailable.

On large residential or commercial developments where the bricklaying package is on the critical path, having confidence in the contractor's ability to maintain sufficient resource throughout the project is just as important as their technical capability.

Communication & Professionalism

The way a contractor communicates during the tender and pre-contract stage is often a reliable indicator of how they will conduct themselves once work is underway.

A contractor who responds promptly, provides clear and detailed written quotations, asks the right questions about your project and demonstrates a thorough understanding of your requirements is far preferable to one who is vague, slow to respond or unwilling to commit to specifics in writing.

Good communication between a bricklaying subcontractor and the main contractor or client throughout the project is essential to keeping the programme on track and resolving issues promptly as they arise.