Roughcast question

[foodluva]

The side of my house is very exposed to the elements and over the last 2 years, chunks of roughcast have fallen off exposing the brick underneath. As a result, small spots of damp are starting to appear on the inside of one of my bedrooms (which is exactly where the roughcast is deteriorating externally). The right upper quadrant of the external wall in question is affected but the remaining 3/4 appears sound and intact. A roughcaster came to assess things today and he wants to roughcast the whole wall as he thinks it will not look right by just repairing the affected area. The wall is wet dash and was painted over by previous occupants. The roughcaster wants to do the whole wall with dry dash. Personally I don't see why he cant just do the quarter of the wall which is affected as we will probably paint over the new roughcast with paint to match the rest of the house anyway. The roughcaster seemed horrified that I would paint over his work. He has quoted me £1600 including the cost of scaffolding for the whole wall and about £1000 if I opt just to do the quarter wall which is affected. I have not had any other quotes yet but would value an opinion as to whether he is just trying to get me to agree to the whole wall as he'll make more money or is he right about it not looking right (even if I'm painting over it?) Is he ripping me off or am I just a complete novice? He did mention something about metal beading required if he just did the quarter wall which he though just wouldn't look right.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Foodie x

[The Builder]

Terminology varies around the country, Foodie. I've never come across "wet dash" or "dry dash". Is this pebbles or simply ordinary render with a roughcast finish?

[mrs_overall]

Just popped in to say hi to Monsieur le Constrictor

[The Builder]

Hi Mrs O. I thought for a moment that you might have some knowledge of external rendering. It wouldn't surprise me. I know you have many talents ;o)

[mrs_overall]

I have some knowledge of pebbledashing, usually associated with dodgy curry houses

My apologies to Foodie for The Builders flippancy

[foodluva]

I think it's just render with a rough cast finish. The total area of the side of the house is 50-55 sqmetres.

[The Builder]

In a perfect world, Foodie, we would all like to remove all the old render and renew it......................... but, if the rest is sound (no hollows when tapped etc) then by all means simply replace what has come away........... then paint it.
Your man is being a bit precious. An ordinary builder/plasterer would make light work of this........ and would be quite happy to see it painted, partly because it would obscure the inevitable "scars"

[foodluva]

Thanks Builder! What about the costs. Do they sound reasonable?

[The Builder]

Ok Foodie, if £1000 includes scaffolding, then that sounds about right. They'll have to prepare, and put on a scratch coat on the first day, then come back for the second coat, but they should be able to scat it (roughcast) on the second day as well.
Be prepared for more of the render to fall off when they start poking around. The price should not rise by very much because once you're up there, it's easy to put on a bit more.
One thing I would do .............. roughcast over the WHOLE wall including the old render. New scat is very sharp. It will show through the paint. Scatting the whole wall will bring it all to one reasonably consistent texture.