External wall insulation - anyone had this done?

[externalwallinsulation]

Hi everyone!

I am getting external wall insulation done on my 1920s solid-walled-and-freezing-in-the-winter semi under the Green Deal cashback scheme. I'm currently in the middle of getting quotes from installers, and I feel completely lost! You can't choose your own builders (they have to be Green Deal Approved) - I can't find reviews for many of the companies that offer this service, and I don't know anyone who has had this work done. I feel completely lost, and incredibly nervous.

I am trying to get on top of it by working out the process and then figuring out the dependencies and any questions I need to ask, but it's hard going and I'm sure I'm missing a lot. I would really, really appreciate the perspective of someone who has been there and had it done. Anyone?

I feel for you as we are doing the same at the moment. Have you had confirmation of your voucher yet? My understanding was that the govt closed the green deal ext ins scheme last Friday as they had allocated all the cash. But...in 6 months time, when all issued vouchers have been claimed or lapsed, they will announce a new scheme.

I have been told by 3 out 4 installers that the thinner phenolic systems are more prone to fail. We are planning on EPS. It's so expensive over 3 floors that we could never have done it without the green deal as pauback is very long.

Also consider your eaves - 90mm extra thick all round needs attention to gutters etc.

Do PM me if you like & we can pool what we know!

We were really lucky in my GDAR/EPC inspector - got a great guy who really looked after us. He told us to apply for the voucher immediately, which we did - came in a couple of days. So grateful, as I heard that they've stopped it now and I would definitely have messed up without his help.

Thank you so much for your advice re: phenolic/EPS systems. I am struggling with installers to get beyond a very patronising attitude of 'We're professionals, and we all do it the same, so do as we say'. Can't even get basic info from them on the boards etc. unless I push, and I feel like I'm missing a lot of knowledge that I need to ask the right questions. It makes me all the more nervous that I have to use a company from the government's 'recommended' list - none of which I've ever heard of. I can't even find reviews for them online, and have no idea if they do good work (many seem to do lots of large-scale commercial installations; there doesn't seem to be a developed culture of private jobs). Pleas for others in my area who have had it done on an individual basis have produced no feedback either. So I desperately need to talk to someone who has looked into it so I have a bit more of an idea what to ask. I'd really appreciate further conversation, either via PM or here!