Gilmore Building Supplies reminds builders to plan brick and block needs in advance

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Gilmore Building Supplies, a UK building materials supplier, is reminding builders and homeowners in Birmingham and the Midlands to determine their requirements for bricks, blocks, and lintels early when planning extension, renovation, and repair projects. The company notes that the importance of advance material planning is increasingly evident for smaller projects, especially when matching existing brickwork or preparing structural openings for doors, windows, folding doors, and extensions.

This advice comes as the latest building materials data published on the UK government website (GOV.UK) shows continued pressure on core masonry product categories. Brick deliveries in May 2026 fell by 4.4% compared to May 2025, while concrete block deliveries dropped by 9.1% over the same period; the "All Work" construction materials price index rose by 5.4% year-on-year.

Repair and maintenance work remains a significant component of the construction market. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for April 2026 shows monthly construction output grew by 0.1%, with growth entirely driven by repair and maintenance (up 0.6%), while new work fell by 0.3%. In Birmingham, as previously reported by Construction Enquirer, the city council confirmed that from July 1, 2026, repairs, maintenance, and planned improvements for approximately 60,000 council homes will be carried out by WPS, Mears, and Equans.

A spokesperson for Gilmore Building Supplies stated that delays in small construction projects often stem from decisions being made too late. Brick matching, block quantities, and lintel requirements can all impact the smooth progress of works, particularly in extension, repair, and renovation projects where new materials need to integrate well with the existing structure.

The housing stock across Birmingham and the wider Midlands area includes Victorian terraces, interwar homes, post-war properties, and new-build estates, making brick matching more complex, especially when homeowners want extensions or repairs to blend naturally with the original building. The company advises builders and homeowners to check brick colour, size, texture, age, weathering, and mortar colour before ordering, and to compare samples against the existing house in natural light where possible, rather than relying solely on online images or product descriptions. Block requirements should also be confirmed early, as different wall constructions, insulation details, or load considerations can affect the type and quantity of blocks needed. Lintel issues can also cause delays; openings for windows, doors, folding doors, and extensions require specific lintel types based on wall structure, cavity width, and load requirements.

The spokesperson added that it is always better to check before work reaches the point where key materials are urgently needed. Local builders should confirm brick availability, check that the correct blocks are being used, and ensure they understand lintel requirements. The broader construction market remains under pressure; Reuters reports that the S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for June 2026 edged up only slightly to 38.4, well below the 50.0 no-change threshold. Gilmore stated that while national market conditions vary by sector, local builders can reduce avoidable disruptions by checking core materials early in their projects.

Gilmore Building Supplies supplies bricks and general building materials for extension and renovation projects to trade and private customers in Birmingham and the Midlands. The company says that advance planning is particularly important for renovation and extension projects, as delays can impact multiple trades and create additional pressure for both builders and clients. Good material planning not only helps avoid delays but also contributes to a better final result; when bricks are matched properly, blocks are ordered correctly, and lintels are checked in advance, projects are more likely to run smoothly from start to finish. The company advises builders and homeowners to engage with suppliers early when planning local extensions, repairs, or renovation projects, especially those involving brick matching or structural openings.