EWI Scheme Transforms Domestic Properties

The Challenge

Cornerstone participated in an OJEU regulated tender process in early 2017 for the opportunity to externally insulate eleven Guildford Borough Council properties.  

These two storey semi-detached three bedroom properties at Guildford Park in Guildford had rendered 215mm solid walls and were considered highly energy inefficient.  The initial work scope included the installation of external wall insulation with a dash finish and the replacement of timber canopies with new GRP canopies.

One particular challenge of this project was working with our client to agree a suitable specification while ensuring that the works met the budget and provided value for money.

Our Solution

On award, Cornerstone worked with Guildford Borough Council to discuss and revise the specification, changing this from a dash to a render finish.  By demonstrating the technical, aesthetic and financial benefits of this solution and providing numerous reference points for the client to consider, the Alumasc Swisstherm system was finally selected.  

We deployed an in-house team of experienced EWI engineers to install the system, under the guidance of a dedicated Site Manager, who ensured quality standards remained high and acted as a focal point for resident queries throughout the scheme.

The project was completed to schedule and generated a significant level of interest amongst the owner occupier community, due to the quality of the work and the transformation it effected on the eleven homes.

The Result

As a result of the change of specification, Cornerstone achieved a significant saving for our client.  

Cornerstone also secured ECO funding for the scheme, drawing on our direct relationships with obligated parties, which further reduced the per property retrofit cost.

These savings allowed Guildford Borough Council to commission the replacement of fascias and soffits on each of the eleven properties, within their original project budget.  Cornerstone installed these additional items as part of our programme of works to maximise the cost effectiveness of the overall scheme.

Residents of the properties were delighted with the results and the significant aesthetic improvement to their homes, as well as with the noticeable uplift in thermal efficiency they experienced.