External wall insulation

External wall insulation for flats and blocks

External wall insulation for flats treats the whole outside of a block at once, so every flat benefits and the building gets a single new finish. Blocks need planning permission, a non-combustible system where height requires it, and agreement from the freeholder and leaseholders.

One programme and one finish across the whole building
Mineral wool systems where building height or guidance requires them
Cavity barriers and fire-stopping detailed at compartment floors
Planning permission is needed for flats and maisonettes
We work with managing agents on resident communication
Higher-risk buildings follow the Building Safety Regulator's process in England

Get a guide price See prices

A five-storey block of flats half re-clad in white and grey insulated render, with scaffolding on the brick half

Free survey for flats and blocks

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Who needs to agree to EWI on a block?

The freeholder or management company commissions the work, but leaseholders usually pay through the service charge. In England and Wales, major works above the statutory threshold trigger the Section 20 consultation process before a contract is placed. We provide the specification and pricing you need for that consultation.

Typical build-up

Typical system: Mineral wool with mineral or silicone render
Approvals: Planning permission; Building Regulations; BSR for higher-risk buildings
Fire detailing: Cavity barriers, fire-rated fixings, fire-stopping at openings
Programme: Phased by elevation; typically 6–16 weeks
Who we work with: Freeholders, RMCs, managing agents, housing providers

What fire-safety rules apply?

For blocks with a storey 11 metres or more above ground, guidance points to external wall materials of limited combustibility, and combustible materials are banned in the external walls of relevant buildings 18 metres and over in England. Higher-risk buildings (18 metres or seven storeys and above, with at least two homes) go through the Building Safety Regulator. We specify non-combustible systems wherever these apply and tell you at enquiry stage if a building is outside our scope.

How disruptive is it for residents?

Most work happens from scaffolding outside. Residents may need to allow brief access to extend window cills, vents or flues from the inside. We provide a notice for residents covering dates, scaffold, and how to raise concerns.

EWI for flats and blocks prices

EWI for flats and blocks guide prices
Item	Guide price	Notes
Mineral wool system on a low-rise block	£110–£190 per m²0% VAT	Priced on survey
Scaffold and access	Priced per building	Includes licences where needed
Specification and pricing pack for consultation	Included with quote

Guide prices are confirmed by a fixed written quote after a free survey. 0% VAT: installing insulation in a home is zero-rated until 31 March 2027, so these figures are the total; 5% applies from 1 April 2027.

How it works

Tell us about the property
Use the quote tool or form, or call free on 0800 088 6248.
Free survey
We measure the walls, check condition and confirm planning and building control.
Fixed written quote
The system, details, access, exclusions and VAT, in writing. Anything hidden is priced and agreed before extra work.
Installation and handover
Work planned around the weather, then inspected and documented.

EWI for flats and blocks: questions

Can one flat have external wall insulation on its own?

Rarely. The outside walls are usually owned by the freeholder, the result would look patchy, and planning is unlikely. Whole-building schemes are the norm.

Do flats need planning permission for EWI?

Yes. Permitted development rights for external alterations apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes, so an application is needed.

Who pays for EWI on a leasehold block?

In England and Wales, usually the leaseholders through the service charge, depending on the lease, and the landlord must follow the Section 20 consultation process for major works.

Do you work on high-rise buildings?

Tell us the height and number of storeys. Buildings in the higher-risk category have a separate regulatory route, and we'll say plainly if we're not the right contractor.

Reviewed 19 October 2026 by the Render and Insulation technical team.