The Man who Can

I have no idea where the last few weeks went, it’s been a busy time.
This week I’ve been replacing the boards on a large decked area, it took longer than anticipated as I had to replace some rotten joists and rebuild the steps but 150 x 3,6m boards and approx 2,500 screws later

Started a nice little fence and border job on Friday in Pontefract for a friend and regular customer.
Finishing touches applied this afternoon.
I really like the picket fence look as it gives that country cottage appeal.

A busy couple of weeks for me
Sleeper borders in Pontefract, plenty
Of gardening duties, hedge cutting, hedge cutting then some more hedge cutting.
Should have arms like ‘Garth’( for those old enough to remember him).
My main job last week was to finish the project in Normanton by laying approx 30m2 of Indian sandstone paving over two levels and trying to keep the original retaining stone wall ,thank you Anne for the opportunities.

The first two days this week I’ve been boarding out a loft in South Elmsall.
30 x 2.4m long boards cut and laid.
Ready for all the belongings to be moved across and the remainder boarding.

This weekend has seen me catch up with finishing a couple of projects.
In Pontefract I managed to point up the patio and lay the paths at the front of the house.
Then in Wakefield I finished the project by building a front door step and making and fitting the garden gate.
Just got finished as it rained again!!

Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been helping a friend in Pontefract to transform her rear garden by laying a patio using Indian sandstone(kandla grey), just some finishing touches and a path to complete.
Also managed to progress the chicken run in Ackworth, and working on my tan over the last couple of days.

This week, between storms, I managed to get the patio and path down at an ongoing project in Wakefield ,and even started pointing up. Carried out some fence repairs in South Elmsall.
Then today back in Wakefield to help my good friend Gary’s daughter , Emma and hubby Harry to double side their fence with almost 200 new palings and gave it a lick of paint. Had some great help on the paint brush. Thank you guys.
Think we’ll all sleep tonight

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been trying to
Progress my landscaping job in Wakefield and have started the paving using Indian sandstone but the wet weather keeps halting progress but we’ll get there.
I’ve also begun constructing a huge chicken run for a regular customer in Ackworth , almost got all the perimeter fence posts in then it’s onto the wire fencing and gate.
Also this week I’ve been helping lovely customers in Knottingley to put some borders in the garden, and filled them with Cotswold cream stone.

So towards the end of the week I managed to get the storage area finished by boarding the panels and painting them, just handles to go on.
Also managed to get the first lawn cut of the year in at The Angel pub, Ackworth.

Over the past week I’ve working at two properties in Ferrybridge.
The first was to replace a fence by building picket style fencing and also enlarging the border area to put the ceramic pots on.

Then I’ve been helping to improve storage in a kitchen by fitting extra units, and doors ready to be clad and then painted. Then
I Wallpapered and fit tiles on the cooker wall.
Hoping to be finished by the end of the week.

Last week I made progress on the garden in Wakefield.
Sleeper borders are in and lawn lifted and ground levelling started but then the rains hit..again, and waiting for the swimming pool to dry out before I can progress further😫.

This week’s job is in Wakefield.
Garden transformation ongoing, the fence either side has been replaced and I’m now on with putting in raised sleeper borders, will keep you updated with progress.

One of my recent tasks was to help a friend in Pontefract to utilise a space by boxing in around the fridge/freezer and washing machine then building up to house the dryer and making shelf space. Wallpapering and painting.
Just got to finish the drop down storage above washer.

Lots of things been going on over the past week but the last few days have been spent removing the old insulation from a large loft area.
Replaced it with acoustic insulation and then boarding it out .

This week I’ve helped a lovely lady in Hemsworth by constructing a fence in her rear garden, using vertical lap panels.

Today I’ve been in Doncaster to a property I’ve worked on previously, this time I’ve been replacing the fence panels on the boundary wall.
They are non standard sizes so had to be build from scratch.

Last week saw me constructing a New gate in Upton, progressing a landscaping project in Normanton and building some large compost pens( made from recycled decking boards )in Ackworth.

Today was a bit breezy but pretty warm as I replaced some old wooden gates with a newfeatheredge board fence., on a property in Doncaster.
I carried out work here before Xmas and the gates were due to be replaced beginning of February but I had to bring it forward as recent winds had blown the gates down.(photo of gates taken on previous visit).

Since the start of the New year I’ve had a good mix of indoor/outdoor jobs.
Last week I started a patio /landscaping job in Normanton, way too frosty to do the paving but got the sleepers in and prepared the ground , ready for the w**d suppressant and sub base.
A fence repair in South Kirkby
And fixing some beading on the stairway walls in Pontefract.
All work was for lovely customers/friends who I’ve worked for previously.

This week was planned as a week or rest but the harsh winds put pay to that.
Storm damage to Butterflys day nursery in Selby.
Every post in the front fence and gates to the outdoor play area had snapped .
It needed doing before the children start back this week so they can enjoy playing outdoors.
8 x posts replaced and gates repaired.
Thankyou Barbara for yet another opportunity and so pleased I could help
I thank everyone so much for the opportunities and support over the past year.
I really appreciate everything and have met so many lovely people.
Happy New Year and best wishes for the next 12 months,
Thank you

The last couple of weeks have seen a variety
Of tasks including replacing rotten fence posts, decorating, several sets of Xmas lights have gone up and this week so far I’ve been repairing some loose pavers, and fully repointed the
Patio for a smashing
Couple in Normanton.

This weekend I’ve been busy helping a lovely family to tidy up the grounds of their rental property, in Doncaster. The outgoing tenant left it in a bit of a mess. Still got a way to go , but , 12 fence panels replaced and gravel boards adjusted as they’d all sank into the ground. Double gates removed and a fence built to replace them.
The outbuilding is being removed and a good old garden tidy up is ongoing.

This past week I’ve been helping Movemakers letting agents, South Elmsall, to carry out repairs at some of their managed properties.
All in Upton,
Photos 1 and 2 show replacement fence panels and I added a post to complete the boundary.
Photo 3 I replaced two rotting fence posts
Photos 4 and 5 I built a new gate and fence panel to secure the rear garden to make it secure for the family dog.
I also managed to fit in a loft cover in South Elmsall. There would have been more but the weather got me again.

This week I’ve been on my holidays (albeit a working holiday) to Lincolnshire to help my lovely In Laws build a fence on the driveway ,put up some trellis and tidy up a path in the rear garden.
Massive thank you to Anna and Michael for looking after me.

Over the last couple of weekends I’ve been helping to clear a garden in Havercroft, that had gotten out of control.
I filled 19 of the jumbo builders bags which hold a tonne of sand etc.
Who needs a gym🤣

This weeks job was a proper workout, a tired wooden fence replaced by concrete posts, gravel boards and 5ft high verticalap panels.
Approx 20 metres long on a sloping garden in Hemsworth, so it had to be staged down.
Thank you Callum and Amelia for the opportunity and support,
Big thanks to Kurt for adding some needed muscle.

My main job over the last week was to help a lovely lady in Normanton.
Last Summer’s hot spell caused a fire at the rear of the property burning the existing fencing and hawthorn hedgerow.
I removed the hedgerow, foliage and concrete posts, with the help of my daughter Lily.
Removed lots of top soil and then
Pushed the fence line back to the original boundary gaining about 30m2 of extra garden.
I replaced the existing panels down the side of the
Property and the erected new fence with concrete posts and gravel boards and curved vertical lap panels.
Then removed approx 6-8 tonnes of soil
Thank you Anne for the opportunity
Much appreciated
Big thanks to my able assistant Kurt, couldn’t have managed on my own.

Moving on from the patio extension in Burton Salmon? All the
Old pointing has been removed and the patio has been repointed to match the new extension and I think it flows well and can hardly notice where the two meet.

A couple of days last week saw me in Hemsworth for a lovely couple, transforming the side of the driveway, making it more practical and a low maintenance area.suitable for a second car.

My main job over the last week was to extend an existing patio in Burton Salmon.
Using Raj green Indian sandstone.
Got it pointed up today and have started to remove all the old mortar from the original patio and paths ready to repoint.

For three days this week I’ve been helping a friend and ex colleague, and his lovely partner to gain some valuable outdoor storage space.
The space at the side of the house was ideal for a lean -to type shed.
Made of construction timber frame,matchboard cladding and OSB board roof which has been covered in roofing felt and sealed to the house with aluminium flashing.