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myHouse Cladding Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of cladding a house is around £3,800.
- The job will take approximately 2 - 3 days.
- NEW! Use our house cladding cost calculator for an instant estimate.
- A breakdown of pricing which includes what cladding is, the cost factors to consider and what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should roughly take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be performed.
- How to find and hire a cladding fitter.
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Want to know how much it costs for external house cladding?
In this guide, we look at house cladding prices of different materials such as timber, uPVC, fibre cement and composite, their pros and cons and the cost of hiring a tradesman to fit exterior wall cladding.
On average, you're looking at an overall cost of around £3,800 to install cladding for houses.
In need of a quick quote for your job?
We have a wide range of cladding specialists ready to offer you a free quote!
So, for all the information on house cladding costs, check out the guide below...
£3,800
Table of Contents
- How Much Does House Cladding Cost?
- Supply Cost of Cladding a House
- How Much Does a House Cladding Installer Cost?
- House Cladding Timescales
- Additional Costs to Install House Cladding
- Factors That Impact House Cladding Costs
- External Cladding Alternatives
- Benefits of External Cladding
- Checklist: Hiring an External Cladding Installer
- FAQs
House Cladding Cost Calculator
How Much Does House Cladding Cost?
The average cost to clad a house in the UK is around £3,800 to £6,000, depending on the size of the property and the material chosen.
Cladding prices per m² are usually between £20 and £100 for materials only, rising to £50 to £160 installed.
What is your main reason for installing external house cladding?
Improve the appearance of my property
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Increase insulation and energy efficiency
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Protect exterior walls from weather damage
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To increase the value of your property
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The specific type of external cladding, quality of work, and size of the installation will all affect the price. Labour costs, and the qualification of the tradesman, will also majorly affect the final expense.
Is it possible to clad over render or does render need removing first? We hate our house's current render and would like modern cladding like composite and wood boards.
"Yes you can providing the render is still solid and fixed."
House Cladding Prices
The table below shows the average installed cost of cladding for two common property sizes: a small single-storey bungalow and a standard two bedroom house.
| Material | Bungalow Cost | Two Bedroom House Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Timber | £2,400 | £4,500 |
| uPVC | £3,200 | £5,300 |
| Fibre Cement | £3,900 | £6,200 |
| Composite | £4,500 | £7,000 |
| Aluminium | £5,100 | £7,800 |
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Supply Cost of Cladding a House
The cost of external cladding supplies will vary depending on your choices. Beyond the main construction method, the differing styles of cladding materials will also majorly affect the price.
| Cladding Type | Supply Cost (per m²) | Installed Cost (per m²) | Typical Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Cladding | £20–£50 | £60–£100 | 20–40 years (with maintenance) |
| uPVC Cladding | £20–£50 | £50–£90 | 20–30 years |
| Fibre Cement Cladding | £35–£90 | £80–£130 | 30–50 years |
| Composite Cladding | £40–£100 | £90–£150 | 25–35 years |
| Aluminium / Metal Cladding | £50–£100 | £100–£160 | 40+ years |
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Timber Cladding
- Cost: £20 to £50 per m² (materials only)
- Best for: Homeowners who want a natural wood finish and don't mind ongoing maintenance.
Timber cladding is the traditional choice for exterior walls, using boards fixed directly to the property to create a natural, classic finish.
Pros
- ✔ Natural appearance
- ✔ Widely available and easy to source
- ✔ Lowest material cost of the main cladding types
Cons
- ✖ Needs regular staining or painting
- ✖ Can rot or warp if not maintained
uPVC Cladding
- Cost: £20 to £50 per m² (materials only)
- Best for: Homeowners after a budget-friendly, low-maintenance finish.
Installing uPVC cladding is the standard choice for modern houses, especially in wetter climates, and is available in a wide range of colours and shapes.
Pros
- ✔ Low maintenance
- ✔ Good weather resistance
- ✔ Wide choice of colours and finishes
Cons
- ✖ Less natural appearance than timber or composite
- ✖ Can fade over time in direct sunlight
Fibre Cement (Cement Board) Cladding
- Cost: £35 to £90 per m² (materials only)
- Best for: Homeowners who want a long-term, low-maintenance solution with a timber-style look.
Fibre cement cladding is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibres, offering a durable, weather-resistant alternative to timber.
Pros
- ✔ Resistant to rot, pests, and harsh weather
- ✔ Long lifespan
- ✔ Can mimic traditional timber boards
Cons
- ✖ Heavier than uPVC, needing secure fixing
- ✖ Higher material cost than timber or uPVC
Composite Cladding
- Cost: £40 to £100 per m² (materials only)
- Best for: Homeowners who want a wood-effect finish without the ongoing maintenance.
Composite cladding is made from a mix of recycled wood fibres and plastic, giving the appearance of natural wood with added durability.
Pros
- ✔ Low maintenance, with no staining or painting needed
- ✔ Resistant to rot and warping
- ✔ Replicates the appearance of natural wood
Cons
- ✖ Higher material cost than timber or uPVC
- ✖ Can expand and contract with temperature changes, so correct spacing is essential
Aluminium Cladding
- Cost: £50 to £100 per m² (materials only)
- Best for: Homeowners after a premium, contemporary finish with minimal upkeep.
Aluminium is the premium choice for modern houses, offered in a range of finishes, lengths, and shapes.
Pros
- ✔ Long lifespan of 40+ years
- ✔ Low maintenance
- ✔ Modern, premium appearance
Cons
- ✖ Highest material cost of the main cladding types
- ✖ Fewer traditional finish options than timber
How Much Does a House Cladding Installer Cost?
When hiring a tradesman for any type of building work you need to consider what specific jobs actually need doing, as not all tradesmen can handle the same types of work. Installing external cladding can often be performed by multiple different trades, with costs ranging from £50 to £200 per day.
The most obvious place to start is an external cladding specialist; however, this will depend on your overall budget as a specialist will normally have a higher cost price associated with hiring them. Below is a list of various tradesmen you may require and the jobs they will be able to undertake.
Cladding Specialist
These contractors are hired for the specific installation of external cladding. Using a specialist such as a cladding specialist, who is experienced in external cladding, is often the best option when you want a high quality, long lasting installation.
A cladding specialist's price for labour, usually range from £150 to £200 per day, depending on the complexity of the job, the skills they have, and the experience they bring to the job.
General Builder
A general builder is often used to lead an entire installation project. They can hire and control subcontractors such as labourers in order to complete the work. If on a strict budget a general builder is often the best choice due to the robust nature of their experience and labour price which can be offered.
A general builder will usually cost around £100 to £150 per day to hire, depending on the level of job required, the skills they possess, and the amount of experience.
Carpenter
These tradesmen are hired if you decide to use wooden cladding for your installation. They will often be able to undertake the entire job themselves without the need for further tradesmen, although this will depend on the skills of the aarpenter chosen.
A aarpenter will usually cost you around £125 per day. This will depend on the skills and experience of the tradesman.
Labourers
The most inexpensive form of tradesman, a labourer, should not be overlooked when costing the job. Usually a specialist will provide their own personal labourer; however, even so you should be mindful of the costs to hire them. The day rate of a simple labourer will usually be £50 to £60 per day.
They are used for all the heavy lifting work, moving materials, and jobs, which do not require a specific skill.
House Cladding Timescales
One of the most important factors when considering any building work is obviously timescale. No one wants a job that drags on indefinitely with no idea of when it will be completed. Also the longer a project takes to complete, the greater the final price.
External cladding is no exception. Second to this is the price of labour. However, timescale has a direct effect on the cost of labour, as the longer a job takes, the longer you will be required to pay your selected tradesman.
There are multiple factors, which can affect the timescale. The most obvious being the complexity of the chosen external cladding installation, the size of the property, and the final quality of the work. Heavier materials such as fibre cement and some composite boards may increase installation time slightly compared to lightweight uPVC.
Choosing to install cladding over two storeys will take longer than a single-storey, at around 1 week compared to 2-4 days.
A large single-storey cladding installation will take longer than a small single-storey, at around 2 days for a small compared to 4+ days for the large.
However, these factors will also depend on the level of complexity in the plan, the skills the tradesman possess, and the amount tradesmen needed to be hired for the project.
| Property Type | Timber Duration | Other Materials Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Small Single-Storey Bungalow | 2 days | 2–3 days |
| Standard Two Bedroom House | 7 days | 7 days |
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Additional Costs to Install House Cladding
When you get quotes for external wall cladding, the price usually only covers the boards/panels and basic fitting. In reality, many jobs need extra materials, access equipment and finishing work, meaning your final quote can be higher than the average £3,800.
- Scaffolding – often essential for two-storey homes, chimneys, gables and awkward access. Your installer may include this as a separate line item, especially if the job needs scaffolding on multiple elevations. It can add £350 – £900 to the total cost.
- Access equipment (alternatives to scaffolding) – for smaller areas, some tradespeople may use a tower scaffold or a cherry picker. This can be cheaper than full scaffolding in some cases, but depends on access and ground conditions.
- Removal – if you’re replacing old cladding or cladding over damaged render, you may need time and materials for removal, wall repairs, re-pointing, patching, and preparing the surface before the new system goes on. Depending on the extent of the work, this can add around £2,000 for a full removal.
- Battens, subframe and fixings – most cladding systems need treated timber battens or a metal subframe to create a level surface and ventilation gap. Fixings (screws, nails, brackets) are usually priced separately from the cladding boards themselves. Costs vary according to the material used, but can be around £5 – £15 per m².
- Breather membrane / vapour control layers – depending on the wall type and cladding system, installers may add a breather membrane behind the cladding (and sometimes an internal vapour control layer as part of a wider insulation approach). This helps manage moisture and reduce the risk of damp.
- External wall insulation and fixings – if you’re adding insulation at the same time, you’ll typically pay for insulation boards, mechanical fixings, mesh/adhesives (system-dependent), and extra labour. Insulation can improve warmth and energy efficiency, so it can pay off later, but it increases the overall job cost by up to £40–£80 per m².
- Trims, corners and starter profiles – corner trims, starter strips, end caps, J-channels, window/door trims and other finishing profiles are commonly needed to get a neat, weather-tight finish. These can add more than homeowners expect, especially on homes with lots of openings.
- Sealants, vents, insect mesh and fire-stopping (where required) – sealants and tapes help close joints; ventilation components and insect mesh help keep airflow without letting pests in. Some builds may also require cavity barriers/fire-stopping details depending on the property and system design.
- Gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits – cladding can affect roofline and drainage details, so gutters and downpipes may need moving, replacing or adjusting. Many homeowners choose to upgrade fascias/soffits at the same time for a consistent finish. Costs can reach around £300 – £800.
- Waste disposal / skip hire – disposing of old cladding, broken render and packaging waste often requires a skip or waste removal service. If your quote includes removal, check whether disposal is included too.
- Decorating and ongoing maintenance – timber cladding often needs staining, painting or oiling (and periodic re-coating). Professional staining can cost £500 – £1,000, depending on the size of the property. Low-maintenance cladding may still need occasional cleaning and re-sealing around joints and trims over time to help prolong its lifespan.
I need to replace the existing painted wooden vertical cladding to an old farm outbuilding.The boards are tongued and grooved. What basic things do I need to be mindful of?
"Treated redwood is the best for wooden cladding, ideally at least 20mm boards for longevity, and use some soaker felt in between the joins to soak up any moisture."
Factors That Impact House Cladding Costs
Several factors affect the overall cost of a house cladding project, from the material and property size to labour rates and site access.
Material and Quality
The type of material you choose has the biggest impact on price. uPVC and timber sit at the cheaper end, while fibre cement, composite, and aluminium cost more but generally last longer and need less maintenance. Higher-quality boards and finishes within any material will also push up the overall cost.
Size of Property
The size of the property being clad has a major effect on the final price. A double-storey standard two bedroom property will usually cost around £3,800 to £6,000, while a single-storey equivalent starts at closer to £2,800.
Labour Costs
Labour rates vary across the UK, with tradespeople in London and the South East typically charging more than those in other regions. It's worth getting a local quote to see how this affects your overall price.
Property Access
Properties with multiple storeys, chimneys, or awkward access will usually need scaffolding or other access equipment, adding to both the labour and overall cost of the job.
Design Complexity
Homes with multiple windows, angled walls, or an unusual shape take longer to clad, as boards need to be measured and cut more precisely, which can increase both labour time and the final bill.
Which is more thermally efficient and weatherproof, wood cladding or render?
"Wooden panelling, but if there is a distance between the wall and the wood so that the air can circulate and have an effect. This means that if you add wooden panelling there must be a grate on the wall."
External Cladding Alternatives
If cladding isn't the right look or budget for your home, paint and render are two common alternatives that also protect exterior walls from the weather.
House Painting
- Cost: £10 to £15 per m²
- Best for: Homeowners on a tight budget who want a quick refresh.
Painting your home is the cheapest way to weatherproof a property, though it offers less protection than render or cladding.
Pros
- ✔ Lowest upfront cost
- ✔ Quick to apply
Cons
- ✖ Offers less weather protection than render or cladding
- ✖ Needs more frequent reapplication
House Rendering
- Cost: £25 to £50 per m²
- Best for: Homeowners who want a low-maintenance finish and don't mind a longer install time.
Rendering is the most popular weatherproofing option in the UK, sitting at a similar price point to high quality cladding.
Pros
- ✔ Low ongoing maintenance, usually just an annual clean
- ✔ Well-established, widely available skillset
Cons
- ✖ Can take up to 2 weeks to complete
- ✖ Fewer finish options than cladding
Benefits of External Cladding
- Can be a more cost-effective option than rendering over time, thanks to lower maintenance needs.
- Reduces the amount of moisture absorbed into brickwork, helping to prevent damp issues.
- Improves insulation, which can help lower heating bills.
- Adds a protective barrier against wind, rain, and general weathering.
- Can improve kerb appeal and add value to a property.
Checklist: Hiring an External Cladding Installer
Below are several questions to ask yourself when looking for a tradesman to install external cladding or any rendering work required.
- Is your chosen tradesmen qualified? Depending on the tradesman hired, these can be in the form of CSCS certification, City and Guild levels, or even college gained qualifications such as HNC’s.
- Do they have public liability insurance? Make sure they at least have third party liability, which covers building work. Although not a legal requirement, you should find a tradesman who already has insurance in the event of personal injury or accidental damage.
- Does the tradesman offer any guarantee? It can be worth looking for a tradesman who offer a five year guarantee or more. Then if any problems arise in the future, due to any faults in the building process, you are covered and they will fix their mistakes at no expense to you.
- Have you seen evidence of previous work? This is always a good consideration when hiring any tradesman. Whether it's references from previous clients, photos, a portfolio of their work or examples and reviews on MyJobQuote, these will all help in your decision.
- Have you asked for more than one quote? With MyJobQuote you can find more than one company for the same job, as such it's always recommended to have several quotes to compare. Always receive them in writing and with a breakdown of everything included in the cost.
- Do they have experience with your cladding material? The installation method can vary depending on the material being used, so it's important to hire someone who has worked with your chosen type before.
FAQs
Can Installing External Cladding Add Value to My Property?
Yes, external cladding can increase your property's value as it can improve energy efficiency and help protect the property from weather damage and often a well-maintained, high-quality cladding is also considered aesthetically pleasing.
Will External Cladding Affect My Home Insurance?
Yes, adding external cladding can affect your home insurance. It's always worth checking with your insurance provider before starting work, as you may require an update to your policy or to adjust premiums, depending on the material used and if there are any associated fire safety risks.
Will I Need Planning Permission to Add External Cladding to My Property?
It is very unlikely that you will require any form of consent or planning permission in order to install external cladding. Planning permission would only be required if you property was a listed building or within a conservation area. However, if you are unsure or would like advice on the matter it is always a good idea to consult your local council or planning authority.
Can I Install Cladding Over Existing Rendering?
Yes, although the surface needs to be in a good condition, dry and properly prepared when installing new cladding or rendering. If you are hoping to reduce costs, ask for advice first when requesting a quote for the work.
Is It Expensive to Clad a House?
House cladding costs typically range from £20 to £100 per m² in the UK, depending on the material, property size, and labour rates. The average cost to clad a two bedroom house with timber is £4,500.
Is It Cheaper to Clad or Render a House?
Rendering is usually cheaper upfront, with costs starting from around £10 per m² for a basic cement render. Cladding tends to cost more initially at £20 per m² for the cheapest options, but can last longer and require less maintenance.
Is House Cladding Worth It?
House cladding can be worth it if you want to improve kerb appeal, protect external walls, and potentially boost property value. It can also improve weather resistance and insulation when combined with external wall insulation. Long-term durability often offsets higher upfront costs.
Does Cladding Make Your House Warmer?
Cladding alone does not significantly improve warmth, but when installed with external wall insulation, it can reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. Insulated cladding systems help keep homes warmer in winter and may lower energy bills.
What is the Cheapest External Wall Cladding Material?
Timber and uPVC cladding are generally the cheapest external wall cladding options in the UK, both starting from around £20 per m². While uPVC is affordable, it may not offer the same lifespan or premium appearance as timber.
Can I Install External Cladding Myself?
Installing cladding yourself is possible, but it's not a simple job. Accurate measuring is essential, and taller properties will usually need scaffolding. For most homeowners, hiring a qualified tradesperson gives a more reliable, long-lasting result.
