A recent BBC News report, based on findings from the National Audit Office (NAO), has revealed widespread problems with government-backed insulation programmes. The report shows that 98% of external wall insulation (EWI) installations completed through the ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme were defective and risk causing damp, mould, and even structural decay.
For many homeowners, this has understandably raised concerns about external wall insulation. But the reality is clear — the failures came from rushed, low-cost installations carried out by under-qualified contractors, not from experienced specialists who follow correct standards and materials.
WP Rendering has been delivering EWI, silicone render and lime render systems for over 25 years — with no customer issues or system failures. We have never been part of any national insulation scheme. Instead, we focus on carefully designed, well-managed projects that take into account every technical detail — from ventilation and cold bridging to moisture control and water penetration — ensuring every installation meets full building regulation standards and includes a 25-year insurance-backed guarantee.
This article explains why those government schemes failed and how WP Rendering continues to lead the way in quality, compliance and customer care across Worcestershire and the West Midlands.
See our team in action completing a professional External Wall Insulation installation — from careful wall preparation through to the final breathable silicone render finish.
Every stage is completed by our in-house team using BBA-certified systems that meet TrustMark standards and current building regulations. We don’t rely on subcontractors or quick fixes — just proven techniques built on 25 years of experience.
The NAO report highlighted how mass-market insulation programmes suffered from poor design, weak oversight and minimal training. The result was a system focused on numbers, not quality.
Key reasons for failure include:
Following the National Audit Office report, the Insulated Render and Cladding Association (INCA) has issued a formal statement calling for reform of the ECO and GBIS schemes. INCA confirmed that no INCA members were among the installers sanctioned for poor-quality work, highlighting that many contractors accredited under TrustMark lacked the necessary training or experience to carry out EWI installations correctly.
INCA’s response emphasises the need for tighter regulation, improved oversight, and a renewed focus on quality, competence, and consumer confidence. As a company that shares these values, WP Rendering fully supports INCA’s position and continues to uphold the same principles — delivering compliant, high-quality installations underpinned by a 25-year insurance-backed guarantee.
(Read INCA’s full response: Retrofit Measures Reform to ECO/GBIS Is Needed)
WP Rendering has built its reputation through consistency, integrity and craftsmanship — not by competing in bulk government programmes.
We’ve always said to customers: you get what you pay for.
Yes, there are times Steve, our director, loses work to cheaper, unregulated contractors, but the difference in quality and accountability is huge.
Steve always explains that WP Rendering operates to strict standards — using approved, regulated systems that are fully certified and compliant with building regulations. This is the only route to securing a comprehensive, independent 25-year insurance-backed warranty, which is completely different from a standard workmanship or manufacturer guarantee.
Most homeowners aren’t told that those cheaper guarantees are worthless if the contractor goes out of business — they become void immediately. In contrast, WP Rendering’s insurance-backed warranty remains valid and fully protected, regardless of circumstance.
That’s why our customers choose quality, reassurance, and long-term security over a short-term saving. Every project is completed by our own in-house team, ensuring full control from start to finish — and total peace of mind for decades.
We only install fully approved systems such as EWI Pro, using breathable silicone and lime-based finishes that protect against trapped moisture. Our Lime Rendering systems are ideal for older or listed buildings, maintaining breathability while improving insulation performance.
Our technical expertise is widely recognised. WP Rendering works closely with surveyors and loss adjusters across the UK, carrying out rectification and remedial work on properties where installations have failed due to poor workmanship.
From assessing damage to designing and implementing complete repair systems, we’re regularly trusted to put right what others have done wrong. Every rectification project we complete is backed by our 25-year insurance-backed guarantee for long-term confidence.
Every project follows a proven process designed for durability, compliance, and performance to current building regulations.
Many of our recent enquiries come from homeowners whose insulation was fitted under government schemes or by low-cost contractors. Common issues include damp patches, blown render, and thermal bridging.
We offer a free EWI Health Check, where our experts will:
Our goal is to help homeowners enjoy the benefits of EWI as it was meant to be — efficient, breathable, and long-lasting. And once rectified, every WP Rendering installation includes a 25-year insurance-backed guarantee for complete peace of mind.
EWI is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Traditional buildings need breathable materials that allow moisture to escape naturally.
Our Insulated Lime Rendering systems are specifically designed for heritage and listed properties. They combine insulation performance with traditional lime finishes, ensuring long-term protection without compromising the structure — all fully protected by our 25-year insurance-backed guarantee.
We serve:
While recent headlines have caused concern, they also highlight a vital truth: EWI only fails when it’s installed badly.
We’ve been campaigning for EWI and IWI installations to be fully regulated and compliant for over a decade. Would you allow a carpenter to fit a gas boiler? Of course not — and the same principle should apply to EWI and IWI.
At present, anyone can install insulation systems because it’s not a legally regulated trade — and that must change. Until it does, WP Rendering continues to uphold the highest professional standards, ensuring every installation meets the same strict quality and compliance levels we’ve maintained for 25 years.
When installed correctly by experienced professionals like WP Rendering, EWI delivers:
The difference lies entirely in who installs it — and how.
1. Why did so many government insulation schemes fail?
Most government-funded schemes were driven by targets rather than quality. Many installations were rushed by under-skilled workers using incompatible materials. Key details such as ventilation, cold bridging, and moisture control were often ignored, leading to damp and mould problems that could have been avoided with proper design and installation.
2. How does WP Rendering prevent damp and water penetration?
We use breathable, BBA-certified systems designed to allow moisture to escape naturally. Each project is carefully designed to minimise water ingress, eliminate cold bridging, and ensure adequate ventilation — all in line with current building regulation standards.
3. What does a 25-year insurance-backed guarantee cover — and why is it better?
Our insurance-backed guarantee covers both materials and workmanship for 25 years. Unlike a standard workmanship or manufacturer warranty, it’s completely independent and remains valid even if the contractor or manufacturer ceases trading.
As Steve, our director, explains — it’s the only truly secure form of protection. A manufacturer or contractor guarantee is void if the business disappears; our policy protects your investment regardless.
4. Can WP Rendering repair or replace failed systems installed by others?
Yes. We regularly work with surveyors and loss adjusters to assess and rectify failed installations completed under previous schemes or by low-cost contractors. We can replace unsuitable systems, correct design flaws, and bring installations up to full building regulation and manufacturer standards — complete with a new 25-year guarantee.
5. How do I know if my property has EWI problems?
Warning signs include damp patches, peeling paint, or mould growth inside your home. You might also notice uneven temperatures or cold spots. Book our free EWI Health Check — we’ll inspect, identify any issues, and provide honest advice.
WP Rendering has never been involved in national insulation schemes. We’ve spent over 25 years focusing on smaller, well-managed projects with our own in-house team.
We don’t compete on price; we compete on quality, reliability, and integrity. Our customers know that by choosing us, they’re investing in workmanship that lasts — not a quick fix that fails.
Working closely with surveyors, loss adjusters, and homeowners across the UK, we continue to lead the way in delivering and repairing external wall insulation systems built to the highest standards — with full building-regulation compliance and a 25-year insurance-backed guarantee.
📞 Contact us today on 01684 567183 or visit our contact page for more information.
