In short
- Leatherhead, Fetcham and Great and Little Bookham have many interwar and post-war semis with pebbledash or painted render.
- Rendering over sound pebbledash in silicone is the most common transformation here.
- The old town centre is a conservation area; Bookham also has conservation areas.
- Houses near the River Mole should be checked for ground levels against the damp-proof course before re-rendering.
The housing
Leatherhead's old town has a conservation area with historic buildings, but most homes in the area are twentieth century. Fetcham and the Bookhams expanded rapidly between the wars and after 1945, and their semis and detached houses often carry pebbledash, roughcast or painted render that is now tired and cracked.
For these homes, the usual choice is between rendering over the pebbledash with a levelling base coat and a through-coloured finish, or stripping it where it has failed. A good survey decides which.
Ground levels and the damp-proof course
Some houses near the River Mole and on lower ground have had paths and patios raised over the years. If render is carried down to meet raised ground, it can bridge the damp-proof course. Re-rendering is a good opportunity to put that right, stopping the render on a base bead at least 150 mm above ground. See render and damp.
Planning
Mole Valley District Council currently handles planning here. Surrey's district and borough councils are being replaced by new unitary councils, so check which authority handles planning at the time you apply. Conservation areas include Leatherhead town centre and parts of Bookham. The Surrey Hills National Landscape lies to the south, towards Mickleham and Box Hill.
Typical projects
- Pebbledash semis re-rendered in white or grey silicone.
- Whole-house external wall insulation on post-war non-traditional houses.
- Render repairs on bays and chimneys.
Questions people ask
Is it worth rendering over pebbledash in Bookham?
If the pebbledash is sound, yes: it is usually cheaper and less risky than stripping. The survey must check adhesion first.
Do you cover Ashtead and Oxshott?
Yes, both, along with Fetcham, Great Bookham, Little Bookham and Effingham.