ᐅ Renovated Extension – Insulation Installed Unprofessionally

Hello dear experts,

I recently became the owner of a house with an extension. The extension was renovated in 2019 by the previous owner. At that time, he installed the insulation himself because he considered the cost of 2,500€ for insulation and plastering too expensive... 🙁

I have now asked a plasterer to apply the render on the panels. However, he said that the panels were installed so unevenly and misaligned that he would remove them again. Furthermore, he could not guarantee that the panels and plaster would properly adhere to the insulation if the panels were simply plastered over.

As a result, the price for removing, re-insulating, and plastering (for almost 70sqm (750 sqft)) has increased to nearly 6,000€. Do you think this price is reasonable, or would you remove the insulation entirely?

See pictures.

Thanks for your advice!

That really looks quite poor. The plasterer is probably right, but getting a second opinion might help (I would consult a professional painting company) to see if, despite many wide and uneven joints, the first layer of plaster, which incorporates the mesh, could compensate for this. Between the windows, etc., it also looks very unprofessional. It could well be that the insulation really needs to be removed. That is not unrealistic.

Well, this was probably clearly visible at the time of purchase, just as it is now, I assume. It is obvious at first glance that an amateur did this. If the plasterer says so (consult a second company/opinion!), then it’s better to redo it properly rather than keep patching it up and having to start over again in five years.

At first glance, this looks terrible.
On closer inspection, I see insulation that may protrude about 2cm (0.8 inches) further than adjacent areas. It’s difficult to judge how uneven it really is. However, the render is certainly not designed to be applied in layers of several centimeters.
Depending on your personal aesthetic preferences, I would also recommend positioning the downpipe on the insulation, not recessed into it.

Warning: Disposal of insulation materials is very expensive! Make sure this is included in the price and isn’t something you have to pay for separately on site.

Additional note: Also consider the issue of window sills and the step in front of the door.

Thank you very much for the replies.

Total costs including disposal have now risen to just under €9000.

Alternatively, there is the option of not using any insulation and plastering directly after removing the panels. This would cost around €4000. Do you think this makes sense? For your information: The extension is already insulated from the inside and the roof, except for this wall. The windows have triple glazing.

Thank you for your opinion.

Technically, many things are possible. Our plasterer corrected a crooked interior wall and deviations of about 5cm (2 inches) with a lot of cement lime and skill. Keep in mind, this was an old building! That’s where you learn to balance expectations and feasibility through compromises. In this sense, there are realistic ways to make it look “nice.” However, even small tolerances in insulation can cause serious problems over time. Not to mention the disaster shown in the pictures. Therefore, I consider the 9,000 (currency) reasonable because, hopefully, it will lead to proper repairs afterward. From my point of view, I wouldn’t try to save 5,000 (currency) now. In the long run, it will make you happier.