Cladding Remediation Guidance | Wrightwood Consulting

Cladding Remediation: What You Need to Know

We know that cladding remediation can take a long time — and that waiting for progress can be frustrating.

From the outside, the solution might look simple, but in reality, these projects are complex and involve many different specialists, approvals, and legal processes.

This guide explains each stage of the journey so you can see what happens behind the scenes, why things sometimes take longer than expected, and what we’re doing to keep residents safe.

The Process, Step by Step

Step 1 – Identifying the Problem

Everything begins with finding out whether the cladding on a building is unsafe.

This usually happens through a Fire Risk Appraisal of External Walls (FRAEW) — a detailed inspection by qualified fire safety assessors.

The FRAEW looks at how the materials on the outside of your building might behave in a fire and whether they meet safety standards.

Step 2 – Expert Assessment and Testing

Once a potential issue is found, it’s checked and tested before any decisions are made.

Specialist review: A cladding or fire engineer surveys the external walls to understand exactly what materials are in place.
Material testing: Samples may be taken and sent to an accredited lab for fire and combustibility testing (for example, using the BS 8414 standard).
Findings and rating: The specialist prepares a detailed report recommending what needs to change. An EWS1 form is then issued, confirming whether the cladding passes or fails current safety standards.

Step 3 – Planning the Solution

With the findings in hand, we begin to design the replacement system.

This involves:

Pinpointing every area that uses non-compliant materials.
Selecting new, compliant materials that meet all fire and building regulations.
Producing a technical plan for how the cladding will be safely removed and replaced, including timelines, safety controls, and access arrangements.

Step 4 – Tracing Responsibility

Next, we look into who was originally responsible for the defective work.
This is important because those parties may be financially liable for the remediation.

Our team reviews:

Construction records, drawings, and contracts.
Information from the original architect or consultants.
The supply chain — from installers back to manufacturers.
Legal and company records to check if the original contractors still exist or have faced similar issues elsewhere.

Step 5 – Legal Review and Liability

In line with government guidance, we work to recover costs through grants and legal redress wherever possible.

We appoint construction law specialists to:

Advise on potential legal routes.
Determine whether the original contractors breached their contracts or were negligent.
Build a case to ensure that those responsible contribute to the cost of remediation.

This stage can be lengthy and may take significant time to resolve.

Step 6 – Holding Parties Accountable

When liability is established, we follow formal legal steps:

Letter of Claim: A detailed notice is sent to the responsible contractor explaining the defects and costs.
Negotiation or mediation: We attempt to reach an agreement out of court.
Legal action: If talks fail, court proceedings may be required.

Delays sometimes occur if a contractor:

Disputes costs or liability,
Has financial difficulties,
No longer has the required skills or insurance, or
Is already in dispute with other parties.

When this happens, we may need to rely on insurance or government funding to keep the project moving.

Step 7 – Applying for Government Funding

If unsafe cladding is confirmed, we apply for government funding to avoid passing costs to leaseholders.

Funding is usually available through:

The Building Safety Fund: For buildings over 18 metres (or six storeys).
The Cladding Safety Scheme: For buildings between 11 and 18 metres tall.

We submit detailed evidence with our application, including survey results, remediation designs, and cost breakdowns.

The government’s review process can take several months, and we meet regularly with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to track progress.

Step 8 – Securing Permissions

Before works begin, several formal approvals are required:

Planning permission – if the appearance of the building will change.
Building control approval – to confirm the design meets all relevant safety and structural standards.
Building Safety Regulator ‘Gateways’ – for taller buildings (over 18m or seven storeys), we must pass new regulatory checks before starting and completing works.

These approvals are essential to ensure all remediation work is fully compliant.

Step 9 – Carrying Out the Works

Once everything is approved, construction can begin. Depending on the scale, works can last 12 months to over two years.

Here’s what happens during this stage:

We usually follow a two-stage Design and Build process, allowing contractors to finalise technical details before construction.
Residents are notified before work begins and invited to a meeting with the main contractor to discuss the project plan and expected impact.
Regular site inspections take place to ensure safety and quality.
When work is complete, all required certifications — including a new EWS1 form — are issued and shared with residents.

Our Promise to Residents

We know that this process is complex, often slow, and can be disruptive. But every step is necessary to make your home safe and compliant for the long term.

We’re committed to:

Open communication: You’ll receive written updates at least every quarter, and we’ll share key milestones as they happen.
Funding first: We always explore grants, insurance, and legal routes before considering any costs for residents.
Safety and quality: All work meets strict building and fire safety standards.

Cladding remediation isn’t a quick fix — it’s a detailed process that can take years from start to finish. But it’s also a vital investment in your safety and peace of mind.