Bricklayers typically build and repair walls inside and outside of properties, plus other kinds of brickwork, including tunnel walls and chimneys. In terms of house building, the bricklayers job is to construct the first shell of the building, making the walls waterproof, weatherproof and secure. Typical skills include cutting bricks to size, laying the bricks in courses, working to architect’s plans, mixing mortar and making access holes to bring water, electricity and other utilities into the building. Bricklayers build and repair walls, chimney stacks, tunnel linings and decorative stonework. Projects can range from a house extension to a large commercial development, re-pointing, garden walls, stonework stone cladding and chimney repair or rebuilding. Reappointing is a common job, particularly on older properties, which involves the renewing of the external part of mortar joints, to counter the effect of weathering and decay which can cause voids in the joints between brickwork, allowing water ingress. Some bricklayers specialise in stonemasonry, as a protective and decorative covering for interior or exterior walls and surfaces, or even as a method of construction. Building garden walls on the property boundary, or as a design feature in a garden, is another popular bricklaying project.