What chance for homeowners to get EWI done at a cost of around £8 - £10k without grant aid.....?

Why is it so expensive if the raw materials cost between £25 and £30/m2?
Yes you'll have to pay for drainage goods, soil pipes, satellite dishes etc. to be moved and then there's the scaffolding and labour but do they really add that much?

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Why is it so expensive if the raw materials cost between £25 and £30/m2?
Yes you'll have to pay for drainage goods, soil pipes, satellite dishes etc. to be moved and then there's the scaffolding and labour but do they really add that much?

If you read the publication 'Fit for the Future' Housing Corporation, 2008 they discuss the cost problem with external wall insulation. Their findings were that in the UK we were being charged 3x the going rate paid in Germany. Personally, I believe this is as a result of two main factors - the skills are not fully diffused into the market but most important due to the perverting of product certification to create market control. The BRE seems to be the source of most evil as far as this is concerned. However, if you look at many innovative products, you find the certification is only valid if the installation is done by 'approved' contractors. This delivers market control to the certifying bodies, manufacturers and their selected contractors. The quality excuse, is just that, an excuse.

In 2011 I was looking to build in block with external insulation. The lowest quote I got for external insulation and render was over £100 m-2. That quote only allowed for 50mm of polyurethane. One comment from a supplier was along these lines. "We don't have to be competitive, most of our work is for the public sector and they just don't know what to pay". I got a similar comment from an outrageously expensive SIP supplier too.

Posted By: DarylPFred56,

So true....... as regards LA paying!
A certain LA near me has paid very generously for 60mm phenolic and dash-rendered finish on a series of 3-bed BISF semis.
Each one took less than a day to finish, once the scaff was up. The things is LAs are paying through the nose with OUR money...http:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/cry.gif" alt="" title="" >

I hope they sealed up the ventilated cavity, otherwise I would think it would be almost entirely ineffective!

One comment from a supplier was along these lines. "We don't have to be competitive, most of our work is for the public sector and they just don't know what to pay". I got a similar comment from an outrageously expensive SIP supplier.

And now you know why houses are so very expensive. The certification bodies for one, are virtual cartels. Then you get insurance companies saying timber frame is non standard construction!!!!!

To be honest I'm not sure what the Building Control guy does for his money. The one I've had dealings with was rather clueless. At time you do have to wonder if it's bureaucracy for bureaucracy's sake.

How is building controlled in other EU countries?

In France your main contractor has 10-year insurance. Claim off this if any problems appear in 10 years, after that you are on your own.

<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Triassic</cite>How is building controlled in other EU countries?</blockquote>

Over here, for the past few years you have needed to get a qualified registered person ('responsible person') to oversee the building works. This is bit like a private BCO and of course they charge for their services. The system was started to avoid the problems that arose when things went wrong with multiple contractors involved and the finger pointing started. In theory the 'responsible person' has the liability to ensure all is done properly.
However
The last job we had done that involved the scheme was a barn conversion that involved putting in a reinforced concrete first floor into a stone /rubble walled barn. Re-bar designed by a structural engineer, re-bar installed by a local 'man who does this' (has hydraulic benders in his garage apparently) and the shuttering installed by the jobbing builder. So 1+ ton of re-bar, a mixer lorry and a bit and a concrete pump later and we have a floor. (the floor is 7m x 5.5m clear span)
The floor is in. The building occupied (absolutely no noise transmission between floors BTW) The conversion is waiting for a bit of EWI to meet thermal regs so as yet 'unfinished'
The deal with the 'responsible person' is 50% up front, rest on completion.

The 'responsible person' has never been seen, apparently if he knows the contractors he doesn't bother with site visits, but he did send a message via the builder that if the job is finished could he have the remainder of his fee
Oh and the builder took the building diary (legal requirement here) home one night to get the 'responsible person' to sign off what was necessary.
Luckily we have an architect, a structural engineer, a civil engineer and a mechanical engineer in the (extended) family (kids and partners) so we are happy with what was done.

And the bureaucrats are happy