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Renovating Exteriors

External insulated render costs are sky high

last year

Our refurbishment project thus far has been demoralising, costs are astronomical (we're in West Sussex), quotes way over what was projected and often not even in the same ball park.

We've been quoted 22,000 for external insulated silicone render but this just seems crazy. The house is single story, 105 sq m of render needed. We're in a very exposed location and are attempting to address heat loss issues plus comply with the new building regs.

Is this the going rate?

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Comments (5)

Lewis Carr
last year
I'm not familiar with the details of insulated render and costs. Seems a lot, does it include a lot of scaffold? (still only up to 5 ish grand tbh I'd have thought).

Seems obvious, but got many quotes? I had one company quite 25k for roof work and I've got a different company about to complete the job (they seem good so far!) for 15k.

Avoiding larger companies who are vat registered is always a good way to save, 20‰ when you're talking a 20k job is significant!
Lewis Carr
last year
Just seen you said single story... Does seem a lot.

So 4.4 is VAT? So 17.6 for job. Say no scaff and 5k for materials (v generous, although silicone render sounds fancy and expensive).

Assume then 2.6 company profit so very roughly 10k for labour. At 300 employee day rate you'd be expecting 33 man days of labour.....way too much.
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Lewis Carr
last year
Ask them for a cost breakdown.

And get at least two other quotes.
Lewis Carr
last year
Or bin off getting it rendered? I hate render just somthing else to go wrong. I'm having to scrap loose paint of mine to have new skim coat put all over (as looks awful due to patched repairs and cracks) and then repaint the lot. Plus there's always a risk of introducing damp also, preventing walls breathing.

Don't let them render below DPC and bridge it, I've had to hack mine off below DPC prior to render as it was all shelled and defeats the purpose of DPC.
lahouse166 thanked Lewis Carr
lahouse166
Original Author
last year
Thanks Lewis for your comments.

2 quotes came back pretty much the same.

Have just had a call with the architect so am looking at alternatives.

These crazy costs aren't confined to the render, which is very demoralising.

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