Insulation work abandoned at home of Halesowen pensioner (From Halesowen News)

Insulation work abandoned at home of Halesowen pensioner

2:08pm Wednesday 6th February 2013 in News

AN elderly man was furious when workmen told him external wall cladding, which had been screwed to the brickwork of his Halesowen house, would have to be torn down.

Disabled Stanley Davies, aged 84, claims he was given no explanation as to why Energy Care Group Ltd could not complete the solid wall insulation work to his Narrow Lane home and - until he complained - planned to fill the scores of drill holes left behind in the bricks with cement.

He would not allow them to do that and asked for the damaged wall to be rendered, but contacted the News when the remedial work was further delayed after almost a month of nothing happening.

The Bedfordshire-based firm carries out insulation work free of charge to householders in receipt of certain benefits, including disability living allowance, attendance allowance and pension credit, thanks to funding it receives from the Government.

But its website states it is “awaiting funding” and Mr Davies’ daughter feared the company had ceased work because it had run out of money.

Workmen, who started after Christmas, told him they could not clad three feet of the house wall which was inside his integral garage because to do so would have prevented him from being able to open the garage door.

“They said it would leave a cold spot, but I didn’t mind. I did suggest they cut the material to make it thinner but they said they couldn’t,” said Mr Davies, adding: “I’ve been left with a right mess and a lot of worry over this. The problem with the garage should have been spotted then they did the survey before they started. It’s not very efficient of them.”

Energy Care agreed to render the damaged wall, but when workmen called last week they said the job would take much longer than the allotted time.

An Energy Care spokesman declined to give his name and refused to explain the problem when contacted by the News, other than to say there was funding to do the work on the pensioner’s home.

The cladding was removed on Saturday and Mr Davies hopes Energy Care bosses will give the go-ahead for the rendering to be carried out as soon as possible.