Lime Render Cost

Looking to add lime render to your property? While it's a great choice, the main question for most homeowners is cost. How much will it set you back, and what factors affect the price?

This guide explains what lime render is, its main pros and cons, and provides a full breakdown of the costs to render your property. We'll also cover the other expenses you should consider, helping you make an informed decision for your project.

We can also connect you with lime render contractors in your area, so you can get at least three quotes for your project.

Read on for a full guide on lime rendering, from benefits to total costs.

What is Lime Render?

Lime render is a traditional type of external wall finish made from lime, sand, and sometimes natural fibres. Unlike modern acrylic or cement renders, lime render is breathable and flexible, making it ideal for older or historic properties. Its slower curing process allows it to move with the building, reducing the risk of cracking, while still providing a smooth, attractive finish.

Lime render is especially valued for:

• Preserving historic walls – it protects older buildings without trapping moisture.
• Breathability – allows moisture to escape naturally, reducing the risk of damp.
• A natural finish – soft textures and colours complement traditional and character properties.

Pros of Lime Render

• Breathable — Allows moisture to escape naturally, reducing the risk of damp.
• Flexible — Less prone to cracking than cement-based or acrylic renders.
• Eco-friendly — Made from natural materials with a lower environmental impact.
• Aesthetic appeal — Offers a classic, natural finish suited to period or heritage properties.

Cons of Lime Render

• Slower to apply and cure — Projects take longer than modern renders.
• Requires specialist skills — Not all plasterers or renderers are experienced with lime render.
• Higher labour costs — Skilled application and careful curing can increase costs.
• Limited colours — Usually comes in natural or pastel tones unless painted over.

How Much Does Lime Rendering Cost?

Lime render typically costs between £60 and £100 per square metre, depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the project, the type of lime used, and labour rates. For a typical house, total project costs usually range from £5,000 to £12,000.

Prices also vary across the UK. Expect higher rates in London and the South of England compared with the North or Scotland.

• Project size — Larger areas increase material and labour costs.
• Complexity — Features like decorative finishes or hard-to-reach areas can raise prices.
• Type of lime — Different lime mixes or natural fibres can affect material costs.
• Labour rates — Experienced lime renderers may charge more, but skilled application reduces the risk of cracking and repairs.

Lime Rendering Prices

Lime Render Cost vs Other Renders

Lime render typically has a higher upfront cost than modern alternatives like cement or acrylic render. This price difference reflects the specialist skills and extra time required for correct application, as well as the material’s breathable and flexible properties.

The main reasons lime render costs more are:

• Specialist Labour — Requires tradespeople with experience in lime application.
• Longer Project Time — Slower application and curing processes.
• Extra Care — Ensuring walls remain breathable and flexible adds to overall labour effort.

Here is a simple cost comparison per m² for common render and plaster types:

Additional Lime Rendering Costs

Scaffolding

Most lime rendering jobs require the use of scaffolding. Scaffolding hire on average, is between £20 to £25 per m². The cost of scaffolding for a week will cost between £200 and £800 depending on the size of your property and the amount of scaffolding you need to fit.

Skip Hire

You’ll need somewhere to get rid of your old rendering if you have it. The best solution is to hire a skip to get rid of the rubbish. A 6 Yard skip is ideal for building clearance. The cost is around £200 depending on where you live in the UK. London and the south of England will probably be more expensive.

Skip hire isn’t cheap so make sure when you hire that the skip is the right size. Your rendering contractor should be able to tell you what you’ll need.

Different Types of Render

If you change your mind about lime render, here are details of other types you can choose.

• Sand and Cement Render
• Silicone and Acrylic Render
• Monocouche Render
• Cork Render
• Pebbledash
• Polymer Render

Factors That Impact Lime Rendering Costs

Removal of Old Render

If you already have render on your exterior wall, you will need to remove it before you can apply a new lime render unless you are going to apply external wall insulation. External wall insulation can usually go on top of old render, but your contractor will advise you on what option is best.

Wall Insulation

If you don’t want to pay to remove your old rendering before you replace it with new rendering, or building regulations have stipulated that you need to improve your external wall insulation, then you might consider having wall insulation installed. It will cost more than having the render removed.

But you will get the advantage of an extra layer to your home. This will give you better heat retention, less risk of damp and reduced energy bills. Your home will be more energy efficient.

After installing insulation, the render will need to be lightweight. Lime render will be ideal. The price of wall insulation depends on the size of your property, but you can see from the chart below what the average cost is and how it compares with render removal.

Repairing Poor Brickwork

You should lay lime rendering over bricks that are in good condition. That means if your brickwork is damaged in any way, you’ll need a bricklayer to come and repair pointing or replace bricks.

The cheapest way to get bricks is to look for reclaimed bricks. Have a look online and you should be able to find a reclaim company close to where you live. Otherwise, new bricks are between 0.82p and 0.96p at a DIY outlet like Wickes. You can also buy handmade or glazed bricks. These will cost around 3p per brick new or around £1.20 reclaimed.

Repointing costs depend on the amount of work that needs doing. The average cost is between £23 and £47 an hour. Some brickwork experts work per m² with prices ranging between £45 and £60 per m².

Location

Where you live will influence the cost of applying lime rendering. Prices are always higher for materials and labour in London and the South East of England.

Lime Rendering Options

Here are some lime render options you can choose from:

Quicklime

QuickLime is calcium oxide, which is made by heating the Limestone to a high temperature. When you add water to the QuickLime mix, heat is released, and it is turned into calcium hydroxide.

It does need careful handling, though, because the chemical process can cause burns if it isn’t handled correctly. The end product is a Lime putty, which is used for rendering when mixed with sand.

Pros:

• ✔ Cheaper

Cons:

• ✖ Has to be handled with care
• ✖ Slower at setting

Hydrated Lime

Hydrated Lime is already mixed with calcium hydroxide. It comes as a powder ready to mix with water. There’s no risk of burns with this type of material, so it is the preferred rendering material for many contractors.

Pros:

• ✔ Less hazardous
• ✔ Permeable
• ✔ More durable than quicklime

Cons:

• ✖ More expensive

Hydraulic Lime

Hydraulic lime sets in water and is used in exposed weather or hard conditions. It's created by burning limestone containing clay or by mixing in pozzolan materials.

Pros:

• ✔ Faster setting
• ✔ Durable in places with extreme weather conditions

Cons:

• ✖ Can't be set dry

Lime Render Repair Cost

If your old lime render is damaged, then it may be cheaper to have it repaired rather than replaced. The most common repair you’ll need to address will be cracks in the rendering. These cracks will need to be repaired as soon as possible so that you don’t get water penetration which can cause mould and damp.

If you want to do it yourself, there are several crack/repair products available from DIY stores. Prices range from £5 to £30 depending on the amount of fix you buy. A tradesperson will charge between £15 to £30 per m² to repair damaged render. The total cost will depend on the amount of rendering that needs fixing. An average patch repair can cost between £100 and £350.

Rendering Guarantees

Manufacturers tend to give a warranty or guarantee. But if you want to claim on the warranty the company will inspect to make sure that the rendering was applied correctly. Most guarantees are supplied for 10 years for lime render. Some companies also supply workmanship guarantees. Ask about this when you get a quote.

Are There Ways I Can Reduce the Cost of Lime Rendering?

If you are a competent DIY enthusiast, you may want to do some of the work related to rendering your home yourself. It’s not recommended that you DIY lime rendering because it takes skill to get the mix right and apply the rendering correctly.

If you do want to try it, then make sure you get some tuition first. If you search on YouTube for lime rendering videos you will find several ‘How to’ videos that may help you.

Other ways to save money are to remove your old rendering yourself or help your contractor to save money on labour costs.

You will still have to pay out for scaffolding and/or skip hire and you may need to buy or hire tools. But if you have the time and the competence to do the work yourself then you will save between £5,280 and £7,700 depending on the size of your property.

How is Lime Rendering Applied?

Before any work is carried out the exterior wall will need to be prepared. You will need to remove any damaged or loose mortar from the brickwork or remove the old render. The wall will then need brushing to remove any dust, dirt, and debris.

Follow the instructions for adding water to the lime render mix. Apply a first coat of consolidation mortar render at 3mm and leave to dry for 24 hours. Apply a 15mm coat of haired lime mortar and leave to dry for around 5 to 7 days. Apply a 10mm layer of unhaired lime mortar to finish.

Don’t forget to use gloves as lime render is caustic and can cause burns.

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

You will only need to apply for planning permission if you live in a listed building or a conservation area.

You will have to adhere to building regulations if you are planning to install new rendering or re-render more than 25% of an exterior wall. This is because exterior walls need to have a certain U-value for insulation. If your exterior walls don’t come up to the stipulated standard, then you will need to install insulation.

For the latest building regs information visit the appropriate department at your local council offices. Explain about your rendering project and they will advise you whether or not building regulations apply in your case.

If building regulations do apply the Council staff will inform you what you need to do, if there are any fees you need to pay and what forms you need to fill in.

Checklist: Hiring Contractors for Lime Rendering

The quality of your project is only as good as the skill of your contractor. Here’s what to take into consideration when selecting your tradesperson to ensure you are getting the best results for your money.

It’s also important to ask a few questions:

• Are they experienced with lime render? Lime render requires a different skill set than acrylic or cement renders. Look for contractors with proven experience in traditional or natural renders. Ask if they’ve completed similar projects and if they understand lime's properties, such as breathability, flexibility, and slower curing times.
• Are they insured? Ensure your trader has proof of liability insurance. This protects you in case of accidents that cause damage to your home, yourself, or the worker during the project.
• Do they understand building regulations and heritage considerations? Lime render is often used on older or listed buildings. A professional will know how to meet building regulations while maintaining the breathability of walls, ensuring insulation isn’t compromised, and using techniques suitable for your property.
• Can they provide references and a portfolio? Find a contractor with a proven track record in lime render application. Look for examples of finished projects and read reviews that mention their workmanship, timekeeping, and attention to detail. You can also check their MyJobQuote profile for verified reviews and past work.
• Have you compared detailed quotes? Collect several quotes from lime rendering specialists. Ask for itemised quotes that include all costs, including scaffolding, lime mortar, and finishing coats. Lime render often takes longer to apply and cure, so check if the quote accounts for this.
• What guarantees are included? Ask if the contractor offers maintenance guarantees. While lime render is durable, it works with natural processes, so reputable traders should provide guidance on upkeep and be confident in the longevity of their work.

Following these steps will help you choose a qualified, insured plasterer or renderer experienced in lime render, ensuring your home's new exterior is completed to the highest standard while preserving the breathability and integrity of your walls.

FAQs