External wall insulation · England
External wall insulation in Greater Manchester
External wall insulation across Greater Manchester: measured survey, clear specification and a fixed written price before any work starts. We plan EWI in Greater Manchester around the details that cause trouble later — cills, eaves, downpipes and the base of the wall above the damp-proof course.
- Free survey and fixed written price
- Guide price from £105 per m² + scaffold, 0% VAT
- Planning and building control checked for England
Free survey in Greater Manchester
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
Included as standard
- Boards chosen for the wall: EPS, mineral wool, wood fibre or phenolic
- Cills, pipes, vents, meter boxes and the roofline detailed as part of the job
- Covers tired brick, pebble dash or failing render with a new finish
- Typically takes a 225mm solid brick wall from around 2.1 W/m²K to about 0.30 W/m²K with 90–110mm of board
- Installing wall insulation in homes is currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027
What we look for in Greater Manchester
The North West has one of the largest stocks of pre-1919 solid-wall terraces in England, alongside Pennine stone houses and post-war estates.
Exposure to wind-driven rain varies across Greater Manchester: sheltered town streets fare better than walls on high ground or facing the prevailing weather, and the render, beads and cill details are chosen with that in mind.
We plan EWI in Greater Manchester around the details that cause trouble later — cills, eaves, downpipes and the base of the wall above the damp-proof course.
- Nation
- England
- Region
- North West
- Towns covered
- Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport, Salford, Rochdale, Bury…
- Guide price
- From £105 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Planning and building control in England
For houses, external wall insulation and render are often permitted development where the finish looks similar to the existing walls. Planning permission is usually needed in conservation areas, National Parks, National Landscapes, the Broads and World Heritage Sites (where cladding a house in stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles isn't permitted development), for flats and maisonettes, for commercial buildings, under an Article 4 direction, or where the look changes noticeably. Listed buildings need listed building consent.
Renovating more than half of a wall's area — insulating it, or stripping and re-rendering it — or more than a quarter of the building's whole external envelope brings in the energy requirements of Part L, so building control needs to be involved and the wall should reach about 0.30 W/m²K where that's technically, functionally and economically feasible.
Which homes is EWI suited to?
EWI is mainly used on solid-walled houses (most homes built before about 1920), on post-war concrete and steel-framed houses, on homes where cavity fill isn't possible, and on bungalows and park homes. It also suits flats and blocks where the whole building is treated at once.
It is less straightforward where the walls face a pavement with no room to project, on listed buildings, or where planning rules want the existing brick or stone left visible. A survey picks these up before you commit.
External wall insulation prices in Greater Manchester
| Item | Guide price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EPS system with silicone render | £105–£145 per m²0% VAT | Most common choice for houses |
| Mineral wool system | £125–£170 per m²0% VAT | Non-combustible, vapour-open |
| Brick-slip finish over insulation | £185–£260 per m²0% VAT | Where a brick look is wanted |
| Three-bed semi, EPS + silicone (incl. scaffold) | £10,200–£17,7000% VAT | 80–100 m² of wall; depends on detailing and access |
Confirmed by a fixed written quote after 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
Get a guide price
Try the online quote tool for a ballpark figure.
Book the survey
A visit at a time that suits you.
Agree the quote
Nothing starts until you've signed the written price.
We do the work
Planned around weather, with you kept informed.
External wall insulation in Greater Manchester: questions
Does EWI need Building Regulations approval?
In England and Wales, usually. Insulating more than half of a wall's area, or more than a quarter of the building's whole external envelope, counts as renovating a thermal element, so building control needs to be involved and the wall should reach about 0.30 W/m²K where that's practical. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards processes.
How long does external wall insulation last?
A well-installed render system is commonly expected to last 25–30 years or more, with occasional cleaning and inspection of sealants. The system manufacturer's documentation states the expected service life for the specific build-up.
How much does external wall insulation cost?
Our guide price for EWI is £105–£170 per m² of wall depending on the system, plus scaffolding. A typical three-bed semi with EPS and silicone render comes to roughly £10,200–£17,700 for the whole house, including scaffold. Installing insulation in a home is zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, so that's the total. You get a fixed written price after a free survey.
Do you cover all of Greater Manchester?
Yes. We survey and quote external wall insulation across Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport.
Do I need planning permission in England?
For houses, external wall insulation and render are often permitted development where the finish looks similar to the existing walls. We check your address before quoting.