Quote For pebbledashing

[asimon]

Dear Forum,

I have a property built around the 1820's, which has pebbledasing, it’s become apparent more so in the recent weather that the wall are not water tight and the pebble dashing needs to be replaced, I have received 3 quotes/estimates with quite varying prices from specialist pebble dashing companies located around the area in which I lives SE London /Surrey, I have attached the quotes and pictures of the property, I have left out he names of the companies, as I was not sure if I am allowed to mention them on the forum, details as follows:

1. £6,500.00 - This father and son company were very pleasant explained there process, even said they would replace the air bricks, and pebbledash up to 1 meter on the side return, in the quote they also mention using lime, which I see mentioned a lot with regards to doing work on period properties, the quote was type up and sent via the post, as you will see via he attachment.

2. 4,5600 - This chap came on his own, hand a quick look explained the process, and suggested where we should pebbledash up to 1 metre on to side return as above, filed in his estimate sheet there and then

3. 2,800.00 Once again this chap came round on his own, and said the same as above showed me examples of the pebbledashing, said that e will not be putting scaffolding up, as he has his one movable type scaffold, once again filed in his estimate sheet there and then, however he also gave me a list of 40 properties, that he has done work for with their full address, and type of spa that was used.

As you can see the difference in price are quite a lot, all 3 of them mention they are members of The Guild of Master Craftsmen, I have verified tis via the website.

Just wanted your thoughts opinion, as they always say the cheapest is not always the best, but don’t really want to pay £6,500 if I can afford it, even though this company was my preferred choice.

Just selected the img icon to insert the images, but it is not directing me to select the images, can anyone advise on loading them,

Regards

Allan

 

[parkview094]

You need to have the pictures online somewhere and then paste the link between the IMG tags I'm afraid. Sadly no way to upload a picture directly to PP.

Out of interest - do these quotes include removal of the existing pebbledash?

 

[eezageeza]

I wouldn't take too much notice of them being members of the guild of master craftsmen - Google "Guild of master craftsmen worth joining?" and read some of the linked stuff....

 

[plasticpigeon]

It is possible to upload directly, only 3 pictures, there is a an upload attachment tab just below the editing box that allows it!!!

 

[asimon]

I have uploaded pictures of the property, together with quotes/estimates (have removed company names, as mentioned before not sure if I am allowed to mention them on the forum), to drop box, which you can access via:-

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d953f21cy2jz7nd/uYGzEYoYVh


Both the lower Estimates mention “Hack off”, higher quote mentions “Take off complete existing pebbledash”, also mentions removal of all rubbish and debris leaving site clean and tidy

 

[stuart45]

If you are having the lot hacked off, does it have to be replaced with pebbledash. All 3 quotes look like sand/cement render.

 

[skier-hughes]

Both the lower Estimates mention “Hack off”, higher quote mentions “Take off complete existing pebbledash”, also mentions removal of all rubbish and debris leaving site clean and tidy

It doesn't really say that. You still have to pay for and provide skips, it says removal to skip or waste collection site. Although it is nice to know they will leave it neat and tidy.

Adding lime to sand and cement is perhaps not the best method.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I wonder if the bricks would be ok if it was hacked off. If not too damaged, then leaving it brick would be a good option. You can see the cracks in the render where water can get in!

 

[Moo]

I'm puzzled by "up to 1metre".
What are they proposing to do to the wall above the 1metre level?

My inclination (actually, my intention regarding my own house in SE22) would be to have the pebbledash removed, very carefully, and see what the brickwork underneath looks like. There's a chance that all you'll have to do is replace some damaged bricks and then repoint with lime. Much cheaper than slapping another layer of cement on it, and much kinder to the house.

 

[asimon]

Sorry didn't explain myself properly, the one meter is redoing all walls, but a only up to one meter of the side wall (painted cream not pebble dashed), as the is damage only to that section rather than paying more money to do the whole side.

 

[Zebra]

What's that series of holes at internal floor level asimon? Has it had an injected dpc, or are those vents of some sort? Just wondering because perhaps your house could benefit from a more breathable render. Does the house ever get damp in the walls? Or under the floor?
It's unlikely that it will be able to go back to being bare brick - removing a pebbledash or cement render often does too much damage to the underlying brick for it ever to go back to being bare brick, but it doesn't have to have pebbledash again. What do the other houses nearby have?

 

[asimon]

I have document saying a DPC chemical treatment was done in September 1990, we have a cellar which has a waterproof system in with a sump and pump, most of the houses are not pebbledashed they are bare brick or have a smooth render on them.

Any ideas on the costs I should be paying for work to be done taking into account the varying quotes I have received

 

[stuart45]

Rendering is usually around £20 per metre, depending on where you live. Old houses built with lime mortar tend to move differently to a hard sand/cement render, causing cracks which allow in water.

 

[Zebra]

Much of the cost is labour, so it might be worth sourcing materials yourself, and then getting someone in on a day rate. It might be an idea to take the decision yourself, in any case, as to what goes on the walls, rather than let the plasterers decide. Perhaps an NHL lime render, applied in a smooth finish?