Cavity Wall Insulation: British Gas say No :(

Cookiepops

Im a bit upset and a little angry. We moved into our house in July and noticed the house didnt have cavity wall insulation (well couldnt see the drill pattern). We didnt qualify on benefits so went to British Gas. A few weeks later an assessor came out, we told him we were having a small extension on side of the house for a utility room. He said it would be best to wait to get that done because any building work after their insulation would void their insurance. Also he pointed out that due to the damp proof course at from of house the drive needed a soakaway . So, after the extension was done and we did the soakaway we called them back straight after Xmas and today (29 April) was the first available date for a re-assessment. This assessor has said we cant have it done because calculating, there aren't enough areas in the house where it can be done! He said they cant do it at front upstairs of house because it have UPVC cladding. We asked if it could be done from the inside and he looks and said it would be possible but then we would have to check if our neighbour had insulation otherwise it would bleed through to their cavity. Also we have a flat roof extension to the back of the house. He said it looks like it was built after 83 (we dont know, only lived there for a few months) so that area wouldnt quality as all building after 83 would have thermalite blocks which offer a bit of insulation. But also, although they dont do it, we got talking about the flat roof and found out there was no insulation in there. Anyway he went away not even saying he would do the calculation but looked unlikely, he just said no. So it sounds like they are really tightening up. SO now we have a house that has been confirmed as having no cavity wall insulation and a flat roof with no insulation and god know how we are going to get it done and pay for it!! We had our first winter in this house and it was bloody freezing. We've spent a small fortune on replacing all the windows and doors to triple glazed, but we really need to find a way to get the funds to do the rest because I cant cope with another winter like last one. Sorry rant over, not very helpful but if anyone could recommend what we do next, Im thinking of contacting some companies as I know BG are only using the one material and there are others (such as beads which can be lanced in from side of house). Has anyone paid for their insulation and roughly how much?
Thanks

lstar337

Cookiepops wrote: »

We had our first winter in this house and it was bloody freezing.

Oh dear, and this winter wasn't even cold.

Cookiepops

lstar337 wrote: »

Oh dear, and this winter wasn't even cold.

you're right, it was a mild winter. The extension and garden is north facing. The house is always cold. It was a relief in the summer we had but on average days when it is ok outside, we can come into the house and its cold. Doesn't help that most of the downstairs is open plan too. Don't get me wrong I love this house but I can't see me growing old in it

matelodave

My last three house had cavity wall insulation paid for by ME rather than free. Likewise I paid for and installed the loft insulation myself.


So perhaps you should go to an independent contractor to get it sorted.

stator

Have you looked into using the Green Deal. If the improvements will pay for themselves over the course of the loan it is worth considering. Unfortunately you have to pay for the assessment up front.

Smiley_Dan

You have fallen foul of the ridiculous criteria in these schemes.

The sad truth is that CWI isn't even adequate, in most houses, to provide enough insulation anyway.

You could vote for the Greens who are proposing to do the job properly!

Other than that you can get it done privately. It cost us about £600 to do the remaining walls on our house. At least this way you get to choose the material - go for EPS bead.

Sledgehead

Maybe you should count yourself lucky:

Cavity-wall insulation crisis may hit 3 million homes

New analysis has produced shocking conclusions about just how effective insulation really is
...
...
...

In this column on February 14 I reported on a Parliamentary debate about the extensive problems of dampness and mould caused by cavity wall insulation (CWI).
.

sheffield_lad

Sledgehead wrote: »

Maybe you should count yourself lucky:

Cavity-wall insulation crisis may hit 3 million homes

The author of that article has a long history of knocking CWI but there is nowhere near that amount of issues with it.

In 99% of installs there are no problems at all.

I would also suggest contacting an independent you may still qualify for a grant but have the job done professionally.

GL

sheramber

We had beads used for CWI by BG under the free scheme.

It was done from the outside though.

Smiley_Dan

There's a serious amount of nonsense written in the comments on that Telegraph article.

Cookiepops

Thanks all for the advice. I did look into the green deal but if I have to, would rather take out a small personal loan which I can clear in a few years (I think it would be worth it) Also I spoke to my parents today who offered to help me out if needs be.
There was another BG assessor we were dealing who is the senior one for the area. We found out today that the extension was actually built in 72 (so before 83) which means it would/should qualify. We just need to find out if our neighbour has CWI which would help our case to have it done from the inside. Failing that, we're going to get some quotes privately. Annoying thisng is my parents are in a similar house and they just had the thermabead done for free less than a year ago. But we also found out our flat roof extension has no insulation so are getting a quote to have that insulated and new flat roof which we know will run into a few thousand pounds.
Just so we have an idea, how much would CWI cost us? we're in a 3 bed semi with a single storey extension on back.

Thanks