Brickwork

Brickwork

We undertake all types of brickwork, from common brickwork to extensive brickwork designs. SJ Webster has the experience and skill to complete any project. We strive for maximum quality and customer satisfaction. We work to very high standards when undertaking any work and understand the importance of our client’s expectations, from conception to completion.

Here are the different types of Brickwork that we can do:

Stretcher Bond Brickwork. This is the most common type of brickwork and is used for single skin 4 inch walls. Fletcher Bond Brickwork. This is a decorative bond and is used on 9 inch walls, especially retaining garden walls. Herringbone Bond Brickwork. This is a decorative bond typically used in square panels either above or below window openings as an attractive feature. Basket Weave Bond Brickwork. This is also a decorative bond and is used to add an attractive feature. English Garden Wall Bond Brickwork. This is similar to English Bond Brickwork except for the header course. The difference is that the short end part of the brick can be placed in at every 3rd or 5th course rather than every other course. Flemish Garden Wall Bond Brickwork. This is similar to Flemish Bond. The only difference is that the stretchers are placed in every 3 bricks instead of alternate ones. Dental Dog Tooth. This is an attractive pattern that can be used to split different levels in large walls or again, this can be used underneath a window opening to create a feature.

For expert brickwork builders in Hertfordshire please contact SJ Webster: Design and Build.

Groundwork

Groundwork

If you are planning a self-build, SJ Webster will guide you through every step of your project from checking over your design plans and making sure that everything is going to run smoothly before the works start. Setting out the foundations for your development in the correct way is vital. We can guide you through this. However, it is a job best left to us professionals. We are expertly skilled in this area so your development is in safe hands with us right from these first steps through to completion.

If SJ Webster are doing the groundwork for you, firstly we will drive pegs into the corners of your development site and spray lines of chalk between them marking out the boundaries. We will then dig out the trenches for the foundations of your new build. For Groundwork in Hertfordshire please contact SJ Webster: Build and Design.

There are some different types of foundations that can be laid depending on the quality of the ground. Trench fill foundations can only be used in the sturdiest of grounds, where the sides of the trenches are strong and capable of being very weight bearing. Generally, clay and chalk soils are perfect for trench fill foundations. Concrete for these foundations is poured to within 150 millimetres of the surface of the ground level. Strip foundations are another type of foundation. These are wider set foundations but they require less concrete because they are thinner. These foundations are generally 300 millimetres in thickness. We may need to step the foundations to keep them level if the development is being built on a sloping site. Strip foundations spread the weight of your development over a greater area and can be used if the development site has softer soils, such as sand.

Once we have dug the trenches out we will fill them with concrete and level it out and leave it to set ready for the next stage with will be digging out the trenches for the drainage system. We will carefully dig out the trenches to the correct gradient and then fill with gravel to an approximate depth of 100-200 millimetres in thickness to support the pipework. We will lay all of the pipework and then cover it with some more gravel before we backfill the trench. Your foundations are now complete and ready to be built on.

We cover all areas of Hertfordshire including Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Welwyn Garden City and St Albans.

Plastering

Plastering

Plaster is a building material used for coating walls and ceilings before painting. Plastering is definitely a job you should leave to the professionals as it's very tricky to get the finish right. SJ Webster can give you the perfect finish whether it's an entire wall you need plastering or just a section that you need repaired!

Our experienced professional plasterers take great pride in providing an exceptionally high standard of finish to our customers. Domestic and commercial projects of all sizes are undertaken. For plasters in Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Berkhamsted and all Hertfordshire, contact us.

Plumbing

Plumbing

We install the newer unvented hot water cylinders and underfloor heating . Unvented hot water cylinders have become very popular over the last couple of decades. The hot water cylinder is fed directly by water from the mains supply. Therefore they operate at mains pressure so they give a much better rate of flow which means that your shower and bath performance will be improved. Underfloor Heating is a modern alternative to the traditional radiator and can easily be installed into a new build.

We work to install high quality water and heating systems with the minimum of disruption. Our team is experienced at designing and installing effective heating systems in a variety of properties be it commercial or domestic.

Electrics

Electrics

Interior and exterior lighting projects are undertake by SJWebster. Improving the security, aesthetics and safety of your property, commercial or domestic, is no problem for our skilled electricians. For skilled electricians and building services in Hertfordshire contact SJ Webster: Build and Design

Driveways

Driveways

Driveways generally add value to your home. SJ Webster undertake all types of driveway construction and repair work no matter what your style requirements.

You may want to consider the weight of the vehicles being parked on the driveway while choosing what you want to have your driveway made out of.

There are lots of different options for driveway materials. The cheapest materials are pebbles, shingle or gravel. Making a driveway out of these materials is much simpler than some of the other options. However, the loose material will need occasional topping up. Natural stone in the form of slabs can also be used. This is another cheap option. Pavers can be used. These are small concrete blocks and are very popular and quite often laid in a herringbone pattern. Clay blocks can also be used and can look quite attractive but are more expensive than concrete blocks. However, clay blocks can attract moss and algae over time. Cobbles are also sometimes used. They come in lots of different shapes, sizes, textures and colours so you are bound to find some that will be suitably matched to the outside of your home.

Duckstone or Cobblestone can be found in many different colours and sizes also. They are similar to gravel but they need to be set into concrete. There are also more permanent and much more solid driveway materials to choose from such as concrete, tarmac or aggregates. If it's aesthetics that you are looking for though, concrete isn't the right choice for you. However, it is extremely durable and cheap. Tarmac is a popular choice but it is quite expensive. However, it will last for a long time so may be worth the expense. Aggregates are pieces of crushed rock. They are available in countless shapes and colours. They are set into a special clear epoxy resin and can look absolutely stunning. However, a driveway made with these will be very expensive!

Patios

Patios

As with Driveways, patios can also add to the value and appearance of your property. You can be confident that SJ Webster have the skills and experience to bring your property designs to life and create your perfect garden.

You will want your patio to be quite solid and level especially if you're planning on using it for entertainment, for example, dinner party's. The best materials are brick, cast pavers or flat stones, such as slate.

Loose materials such as gravel are not a great choice for a dining and entertainment area because they can be very uneven and uncomfortable to stand on and place dining tables and chairs on to. However, there are some loose materials that could be used such as crushed granite as it compacts well and can form a solid even surface.

We can help you to design your new patio if you like and we will help you to decide on the foundation material but the surface choice is entirely yours!