Cladding obligations and funding

After the Grenfell Tower fire, the government tightened and clarified responsibilities in relation to fire safety, especially in connection with cladding.

The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) created both obligations and support for building owners. Full details can be found on the government website, but the key points are as follows:

• Developers must pay to fix unsafe buildings they put up
• Qualifying leaseholders under the BSA are protected from all cladding remediation costs
• A building safety fund exists to help with buildings that slip through the net of protections above, with a proposed building safety levy (on developers) currently in government consultation

Choose your contractor wisely

Unfortunately, none of the above will stop additional time and cost being incurred on a project if the subcontractor doesn’t have a strong understanding of the task. At Eden Facades, we are trusted by our clients because of our knowledge and track record in all areas of facades and cladding. Some examples of recent projects we have completed involving cladding remediation include:

Renaissance and Baroque Court, London

United Living were bought in to renovate this West London residential building complex, and asked us to perform work on the cladding system that a review had determined was necessary. We were very happy to join forces with this well-known partner again.

Specifically, our scope was to remove the existing EPS insulated render system and sheathing boards, replacing them with an A-rated sheathing board and Wetherby’s mineral fibre insulated render system. At over 5000 sqm, this was one of our larger recladding contracts.

We’re well ahead of schedule on this programme, thanks to Eden Facades and everyone working on-site. Speaking on behalf of the United Living team, I have to say that we have no complaints at all. Typically, on a project this size, issues or challenges come up that can present difficulties, but whenever we have asked Eden something, they get it done straight away. Our client, A2 Dominion, is very impressed too, and there will definitely be more projects as a result of the fantastic work here, and that’s thanks to Eden.

– Ersin Syuleyman, Site Manager at United Living

Read the full case study.

Orwell Quay, Ipswich

Orwell Quay comprises modern high-rise riverside residential blocks made of brick, steel and glass. We were chosen for this project by RG Carter because they were pleased with previous remediation work we delivered for them.

With a schedule of works being carried out across 12 months, our scope on this current project includes installing replacement cladding and rectifying the fire barriers for two occupied residential blocks on the quayside. Our team will replace the existing insulated render system, timber cladding and timber decking with new fire-rated systems. We will be providing a full scaffolding access solution to facilitate these works.

“Eden Facades are really looking forward to working with RG Carter again. The team at RG Carter appreciate that we know what we’re doing and put their trust in us…Eden Facades is in the enviable position to have developed many trusted relationships with both main contractors and our wider supply chain.

– Paul Michaelson, Construction Director at Eden Facades

Read the full case study.

De Grey Rd, Colchester, with RG Carter

This was an earlier project for RG Carter, with work completed in 2021. A local housing association sought advice from an independent cladding consultant, who determined that cladding remediation was required on two residential blocks.

Our scope was to remove the existing cladding and insulation from the stair core and lift shaft of three storeys of flats – the ground, first and second floors – in addition to the top floor residential walls, refitting new A1 non-combustible insulation, fire barriers and A2 fire-rated cladding.

When it came to the detail of the proposal, Eden Facades were efficient and professional. They provided us with detail for all the questions the Quantity Surveyor and I had, and gave us the confidence that they would do a good job.

–Gavin Leeks, Building Solutions Manager at RG Carter

Read the full case study.

If you have a remediation project you would like to discuss with us, or any other cladding or SFS project that needs an experienced and knowledgeable specialist subcontractor, please get in touch via our contact page.