aAsk a Tradesman

I've started building a brick barbecue. The concrete base turned out perfect, but I didn't get much further than that. I'm having a lot of trouble mixing good, easily workable mortar. The mix I tried is 6:2:1 (sand:lime:cement). As I'm not used to laying bricks, I need to take my time adjusting the bricks into place. This seems impossible with the mortar I made. No matter how much water I put in it, the mortar dries fast and doesn't stick to the bricks (bricks that have been layed 24hrs ago can easily be removed by hand). What am I doing wrong?

does anyone know where i can get lime free cement. as i need to cement around the edge of a pond which is full of koi carps. ive been told there is one called prompt. but i cant find it...please someone must know.. thanks roy..

A friend has received 2 quotes to have a load bearing wall opening made wider from 1.4m to 2m, the wall is double skinned with a bathroom above on one side and bedroom other side, at present there is a catnic lintel supporting
floor joist and the 1st floor wall!!
One quote is using a steel rsj and the other quote is to use concrete lintels. Are concrete lintels strong enough to support the huge amount of weight?

* cheers for the replies :-) just want to add an SE report was done, steel was preferred but lintel could be used.
The 2 quotes submitted had a big difference in price, the steel done by my cousin fully qualified brickie seemed reasonable, where as the lintle from someone unknown
was cheap... almost to cheap, which my cousin laugh at!!!
My friend wants to go cheap, but i have doubts, could anyone shed a rough price guide so I can push her in right direction!

I've recently had my double glazing windows replaced and have been told that i need a lintel putting in above the kitchen window, as the 'soldiers' are dipping and will eventually bend the actual window frame.

How much would a job like this cost? what section do i post the job in to (is Bricklaying the right section)

I need this job completing as soon as possible as i want to sell my house and need to put it on the market in the next couple of weeks.

Would really appreciate someone giving me some information, thank you for taking the time to read this.

I received an invoice for £4000 for overhand bricklaying and for disruptive neighbours over the course of 8 weeks, this charge includes extra labour but by my calculation it only took him an extra three days work. The builder didn't ask our consent and at the time our solicitor was handling the case with next door, he basically started work building overhand once they reached as far as they could from the first floor level. Our neighbour has been disruptive not allowing them access and we are being charged for there behaviour. It's not in the qoute and it's not in the payment schedule.

I'm not happy as he said from the start that he can sort the neighbours and all will be well and not to worry. I didn't agree to any costs for him to work this way.

Where do I stand?

M

my builder has removed some but will not be replacing them for 5 nights. Should he have replaced them straight away?

The crack is about 1/8" wide and starts at the floor and goes to the next but last breeze block near the ceiling. The crack does not follow the motar line it has in fact split the blocks. Any advice gratefully welcomed