Removing render yourself?

[cringle]

Hi All,
Had a new kitchen started today, also having chimney breast enlarged and a stud wall removed. As the builder started removing the old kitchen down to brick, he rang and told me the render on the outside wall was trapping moisture, not allowing the bricks to "breathe" and led to the moisture affecting the inner wall. Only spoke to him on the fone and he said they were crumbling as he tapped them with his hammer.

He said i need to have the render removed, the exterior walls sandblasted and then all repointed...for 15 grand...

Now its a 1920s semi, slightly larger than average, the render is only on the side and back of the house, but is this price even in the ballpark?? Is any of it a DIY job?

The kitchens bloody expensive enough any advice greatly appreciated

[cringle]

Just been home to see the ripped out kitchen, the plaster was soaking wet, galvanised wiring covers rusted through...hmmm moral of the story get the highest survey level prior to buying! What a beeatch. I'll get a 2nd opinion though thanks guys. Hope the gable wall doesnt crumble overnight

[cringle]

The builder seems quite knowledgeable to be fair, he doesn't think its a rising damp problem but apparently there is quite a high water table in this area and an impromptu discussion with a neighbour who doesnt have render revealed they had had a similar issue albeit higher up in the house. The damp in question is confined to the ground floor level mainly the back of the chimney and the corners of the kitchen all of which are outside walls. There weren't any leaking pipes. I did a bit of research and i think the insulation issue in removing render wouldnt really apply due to the cavity walls, a previous damp course and the age of the property. And i would say only 23% was removed. Just thinking if i remove most of the render myself it may save quite a bit in labour charges, then a sandblast/pointing and no more bloody render. The builder reckons this will be enough to sort it as the bricks will be able to "breathe". His mate who does these jobs is coming out tomorrow to see for sure if this is the solution so shall report back!

Thanks for everyones help!