Project Story: External Wall Rendering for Residential Properties
Client: North Star Housing Group
Main Contractor: ZeroCarbon Group
Property Type: Residential – Houses & Bungalows
Location: Darlington
Completion: 25 Properties (Ongoing)
Timeline: February 2025 – Ongoing
Scope of Works:
This project focused solely on external wall rendering for 25 residential properties, including both houses and bungalows. All works were preceded by comprehensive preparatory measures, tailored to accommodate both the physical nature of the buildings and the surrounding garden environments.
Key Challenges Faced:
- Working Around Residents’ Gardens
Performing construction activities in active residential zones required constant care to avoid damaging lawns, plants, and decorative features. - Material Shortages
Nationwide supply constraints impacted the timely delivery of rendering materials, necessitating real-time adaptation. - Material Handling Issues
Spillages, damaged material bags, and inefficient offloading led to site cleanliness concerns and delays. - Language Barriers
With a diverse onsite workforce, clear communication was initially limited, leading to misunderstandings during execution. - Restricted Elevation Access
Some properties had structural or logistical constraints that delayed works on certain facades.
Implemented Solutions:
- Garden Protection & Housekeeping
Additional protective coverings were used across all sites. Regular toolbox talks were held with teams to reinforce best practices for garden preservation and daily site cleanliness. - Optimised Labour Allocation
Workforce levels were adjusted dynamically to meet deadlines, with teams committing to extended shifts and weekend operations where needed. - Professional Cleaning & Remediation
All spillages were addressed promptly using approved cleaning agents and jet washing. Damaged bags and materials were safely contained to prevent site contamination. - Onsite Translators
Bilingual team leads and translators were deployed to ensure clear communication across all trades, improving workflow and reducing errors. - Adaptive Scheduling
Where access issues occurred, coordination with site teams enabled immediate rescheduling and reallocation of efforts to alternative properties while awaiting clearance.
Project Highlights:
- Environmental Consideration:
The project maintained a strong focus on respecting the live-in nature of the homes, ensuring minimal disruption and professional conduct at all times. - Efficiency Through Flexibility:
Challenges were met head-on with adaptable scheduling and extended work hours, preventing any significant impact on the overall timeline. - Strong Collaboration:
Effective communication between site teams, translators, and the client led to streamlined decision-making and real-time problem solving.
This project stands as a clear example of residential rendering delivered at scale, with a commitment to quality, care, and client satisfaction – all while navigating the complexities of a live environment and material logistics.
