External wall insulation · Scotland
External wall insulation in Scottish Borders
External wall insulation across Scottish Borders: measured survey, clear specification and a fixed written price before any work starts. We plan EWI in Scottish Borders 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 Scotland
Free survey in Scottish Borders
Tell us the postcode and what you need.
Part of every quote
- Boards chosen for the wall: EPS, mineral wool, wood fibre or phenolic
- Work happens outside, so you can live at home throughout
- 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
- Cills, pipes, vents, meter boxes and the roofline detailed as part of the job

What we look for in Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders have stone-built towns and villages, rural cottages and some post-war estates.
Exposure to wind-driven rain varies across Scottish Borders: 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.
For homes in Scottish Borders, the survey starts with the wall itself: solid brick, stone or concrete, and whether any old render is sound enough to insulate over.
- Nation
- Scotland
- Region
- South of Scotland
- Towns covered
- Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso
- Guide price
- From £105 per m² + scaffold · 0% VAT
Permissions in Scotland
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent. Ask your council's planning team before committing.
Work that alters an external wall's construction is covered by the building standards system; many over-cladding projects need a building warrant from the council's building standards team, and Section 6 (Energy) of the Technical Handbooks sets insulation benchmarks.
What finish can I have?
Most EWI is finished in a thin-coat silicone render in a through-coloured shade, with a 1–2mm grain. Acrylic, mineral (painted), dry-dash and brick-slip finishes are also available. Where planning wants a brick look, brick slips over the insulation keep the street appearance.
External wall insulation prices in Scottish Borders
| 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.
What happens next
Enquiry
Send your postcode and a few details.
Measured survey
Walls, damp, eaves, cills and services recorded.
Written price
A fixed price with the specification attached.
Work and handover
Installed, inspected and documents handed over.
External wall insulation in Scottish Borders: questions
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.
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.
Can EWI go over pebble dash?
Usually yes. The dash is tested for adhesion and hollow areas; sound dash can be insulated over with additional mechanical fixings, while loose areas are removed first.
Do you cover all of Scottish Borders?
Yes. We survey and quote external wall insulation across Scottish Borders, including Hawick, Galashiels, Peebles, Kelso.
Do I need planning permission in Scotland?
In Scotland, householder permitted development rights are set by the Scottish GPDO and are narrower for external wall changes; insulating flats or tenements, changing the appearance of a house noticeably, or working in a conservation area usually needs planning permission. We check your address before quoting.