Rendering over plaster externally?

[piper64]

As well as some iffy issues elsewhere on a house that is a potential purchase, there is a large area ( half height of the side wall) of plaster where a garage used to be. The estate agent says the vendors 'builder' will render over this as its too difficult to remove it.
First, is it that hard to remove plaster from brickwork? Time consuming maybe.
Second, can you/should you even render (probably k-rend) over plaster like that?
Cheers

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Looks like a right mess, especially with the remnants of the flat roof above it. I guess they removed the garage to squeeze another house in?

I'd probably just buy something else, unless it's exceptionally cheap.

 

[piper64]

It is a mess and indeed a new house was squeezed in. Your perception is exceptional!
It's not cheap, not by a long chalk.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

Have they done other "work" to it?

If so then you should expect that it's all been done to a similar standard.

I'd rather buy a house that's a wreck than one that's freshly pimped up. Especially as you now know their standards.

 

[piper64]

No pimping has been done, as far as I know, which is just as well looking at their work so far. In fact, no effort has been made to improve the kerb appeal or make it attractive. My thoughts are that the vendor, who had the new house built ( but has been left unfinished for some time) has cash flow issues.

 

[23vc]

Despite how well it seems to be faring against the elements, rendering over a gypsum plaster is a no no. The issue’s cosmetic, the brick wall’s still there doing its job beneath the plaster. So I’d decline the render offer and focus on any other issues.

 

[piper64]

What are the problems with rendering over plaster? Why is it a no no?

 

[23vc]

It’s internal plaster, not for exposure to damp, frost, so will fail eventually. No exterior render system would be spec’d to be applied over interior plaster

 

[piper64]

Thanks, that's what I thought.