A straightforward breakdown of what external wall insulation costs on a typical UK home, what drives the price up or down, and how long it takes to pay back.
External wall insulation is one of the biggest single improvements you can make to a solid-wall property, and it is also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to price. Costs vary widely because no two houses are the same.
What drives the price
The main factors are the wall area, the insulation thickness required to hit the target U-value, the finish you choose, and access. A detached house needing full scaffolding will always cost more per square metre than a mid-terrace. Removing and refitting pipework, downpipes, meter boxes and canopies also adds to the day count.
Typical ranges
As a guide, most UK homeowners budget between £100 and £160 per square metre of wall for a complete insulated render system, including scaffold, boards, mesh, basecoat and a silicone topcoat. A three-bedroom semi commonly lands somewhere between £9,000 and £16,000.
Payback
Savings depend on how you heat the home, but many households see heating costs fall by a third or more. Combined with the improvement in EPC rating and the fresh appearance of the property, most owners consider the work worthwhile well before the pure energy payback period is reached.
Getting an accurate figure
The only reliable number comes from a survey. We measure the elevations, check the substrate and give you a written fixed price with no surprises.
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