Energy grants, internal wall insulation etc - can anyone advise?

[corine39]

Hi

Hoping someone can help.

My tenant has applied for an energy efficiency grant. The company who is due to do the work has sent me a comprehensive report. However, given all the horrors with these companies and the loft foam insulation debacle, I just want to check I am doing the right thing before I give it the go ahead.

Their suggested 'improvements' are as follows:

Internal Wall Insulation:-Insulation to be installed with over-boarding of the external walls including plaster skim finish excluding the kitchen & bathroom (no paint or decoration to be carried out ) System depth approximately 115mm.

Room in Roof Insulation:- Insulation to be installed with over-boarding of the external walls including plaster skim finish excluding the kitchen & bathroom and any other wet rooms (see attached floorplan). The ceiling Slopes to be insulated between the rafters and over-boarded with Insulated Plasterboard including a plaster skim finish.

Flat Ceilings to insulated above in the loft space or as per the ceiling slopes if access is not suitable.

Ventilation :- Mechanical extract ventilation to be installed to kitchen and bathroom and background ventilation to be installed to all other habitable rooms via way of trickle vents to the windows (to replace stale air with fresh air and remove excess moisture from the property) Core holes to be installed for combustion ventilation where applicable.

Loft Insulation:- Loft insulation to be topped up to 300mm.

Additional Works :-The design of the works for your property and the funding for it does not include joinery (including but not limited to skirting boards, window sills, picture rails, door architraves, coving), carpet alterations, painting, decoration, minor decorative making good and the like.

Heating Controls:- Existing controls will be replaced with Smart Controls to control heating & Hot water.

I think I am OK with the loft insulation (they need to make an access hole apparently), ventilation suggestions (vents in the landing as well as bathroom and kitchen- not sure why these would be required in the landing?) and smart heating controls (these are just for fun as far as I can see so the heating can be controlled from your mobile). However, having read up a little on the internal wall insulation and room in roof insulation I am not sure I want this. The internal wall insulation I believe reduces the room sizes and can cause damp. It is not easy to remove once done. Also, it is quite disruptive, and the rooms affected would need redecorating. I did query this with the company who said they would give £500 towards redecoration, and redo skirtings (although that’s it not what’s been said in their initial report above). As the tenant has requested this, I think they should do the redecorating and receive the grant.

There is no mention of moving sockets (which may invalidate my elec cert I believe), or moving radiators for the wall insulation.

Has anyone had any experience with this and could offer any advice?

Many thanks

Thanks for any help!

[Neelix]

No mention of the electrics ?

[corine39]

Nothing and there are sockets to some of those walls.

[big-all]

what about radiators and plumbing
what form off finishing around doors and windows is that "woodwork " as well as skirting
far too vague you need to know exactly whats needed to finish, it may cost you 10k to get back to full finnish it may just cost you 2k
ask for pictures off how they leave the rooms for you to finnish?