Doing it the hard wayIf you want to go it alone, prepare yourself for a long, hard slog. There are thousands of different bricks to choose from (we've got just short of 4,000 in our !To help you (we're nice like that!), here are a few things to consider in your search for masonry magic. (Honestly, though - just use our Brick Matching service, it's worth every penny).1 Firm foundationsThe bricks you use aren't all going to be picked based on looks. When you're starting an extension, you need to think about the foundations. For this, different bricks are often needed.The popular choice for the first few layers of brick is the humble engineering brick. These are harder, denser bricks that also have a higher compression strength and lower water absorption, making them ideal for the part of the wall closest to the ground.These bricks are strictly functional and relatively inexpensive - just don't expect any fancy colours or designs.Engineering bricks are widely available in red and blue, so when it comes to choosing which colour to go for, you're best going for the closest colour to the rest of your build. You'll most likely want to get some of these at the start of your project.Bricks can be expensive, and the cost of your masonry structure can quickly add up - especially if you need to organise the disposal of excess bricks2 Get the numbers rightOne of the toughest aspects of building a brick structure is working out how many bricks you will need. Ordering too few can potentially delay your project; ordering too many is a direct route to throwing money down the drain.Bricks can be expensive, and the cost of your masonry structure can quickly add up - especially if you need to organise the disposal of excess bricks.It's more cost-effective to get it right first time - and Brickhunter's FREE service is here to help you do just that!, Vertical Expansion Joint Construction expansion joints may be cut into existing brickwork as a remedial action. However, proper placement and alignment of expansion joints cut into completed brickwork are necessary to avoid small slivers of brick adjacent to the joint, as shown in Photo 2., Building a brick extension can be done even if you are not a professional contractor. As long as you have the materials and know essential skills for house construction, you can create an extension by yourself..