Xtra time with HBXL: A day in the life of Stephen Woodhams

01/10/2008 16:49:00

Article appeared in Professional Builder October 2008

Living in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, no one day is ever the same for qualified bricklayer Stephen Woodhams.

It was three years ago that Stephen changed career and following a number of years as an IT consultant decided to become a qualified brick layer.

Since then he’s worked on a host of different jobs including large developments for major national builders to smaller private firms. But no matter what the contract, it’s a job Stephen always tries to do with a smile on his face – whatever the weather!

Stephen’s day usually starts at around 6.00am.

Then it’s up for a quick wash, breakfast, clean-up of the previous day’s flask and walking of the family dog.

Regardless of where the day’s job is, Stephen is out of the door by 7.00am and as a bricklayer, works on variety of jobs he’s contracted for.

This means a drive of no more than one-hour (unless the job pays particularly well) and has him on site by around 7.30am.

As a qualified brick layer, Stephen carries his Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card which he uses to sign in on arrival at the site office.

Then depending on the contract will see Stephen and his colleagues crack on with the job until around 3.00pm if he’s paid per brick or 4.30pm if he’s on day rate.

“It’s tough,” admits Stephen, “But it is quite satisfying when you can see the job taking shape.”

“Time is a real issue for bricklayers. Once on site you really do want to get on with the job rather than sit around waiting. It can be a bit frustrating if the roofers get on site before you and have to get their kit ready, which usually results in a 30 minute wait.

“For those lads that are on a per brick rate, they really do get on with the job where as the day rate bricklayers tend to take a few more breaks!”

Aside from the unpredictable British weather which often prevents work carrying on, Stephen believes if he and his fellow bricklayers can’t work because of a problem that is out of their control, then they should at least get some form of pay.

He added: “Time is what we sell to a developer or contractor. If you can’t work because of something that is in your control then fair enough, but when it’s an issue such as a broken silo or the scaffold hasn’t been put up, then the developer should be the one at fault.

“When you’ve paid petrol money to get to site only to find you can’t work due to someone else’s mistake or error then we shouldn’t be penalised and something need to be done about it.”

But to save as much time as possible a practice Stephen often employs is getting the next day’s work ready before he leaves.

“At the end of the day and after I’ve spoken to the site manager, I tend to get ready the next day’s work. That way, as soon as I arrive on site, I’m ready to go.”

Professional Builder October 2008

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