How Much to Render a House? UK Costs 2026
Quick Answer
External rendering costs £40-80 per m² in the UK (2026), including scaffolding, preparation and materials. A typical semi-detached house (80-100m² wall area) costs £4000-8000. Silicone render is most expensive (£50-80/m²) but most durable. Acrylic render is cheapest (£40-60/m²). Mineral render costs £45-70/m².
Key Facts
- Rendering cost includes: scaffolding (£600-1200), preparation, primer, 2 coats render, finishing
- Scaffolding accounts for 15-20% of total project cost
- Render lifespan: silicone 25-30 years, acrylic 20-25 years, mineral 25+ years
Rendering Cost Per Square Metre
External rendering is priced per square metre of wall area. UK rates include all labour, materials, scaffolding and preparation. The render type (silicone, acrylic or mineral) is the main cost driver, with silicone being most expensive but offering superior weather resistance.
| Render Type | Cost per m² | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone Render | £50-80 | Water-repellent, self-cleaning, most durable |
| Acrylic Render | £40-60 | Flexible, crack-resistant, good value |
| Mineral Render | £45-70 | Breathable, traditional, ideal for solid walls |
These prices include scaffolding hire, surface preparation (cleaning, repairs), primer coat, 2 coats of render and finishing. They assume standard 2-storey house with good access. Difficult access, heights above 2 storeys, or extensive repairs increase costs by 20-40%.
How much does it cost to render a semi-detached house?
A typical UK semi-detached house (80-100m² external wall area) costs £4000-8000 to render including scaffolding, preparation and 2-coat render system. Silicone render costs £5000-8000, acrylic £4000-6000, mineral £4500-7000. The exact cost depends on wall area (excluding windows and doors), render type, regional rates and wall condition. Houses requiring significant repair work (crack filling, loose brickwork removal) add £500-1500 to the total.
Cost by House Type
| House Type | Wall Area | Acrylic Render | Silicone Render |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced House | 50-70m² | £2500-4000 | £3500-5500 |
| Semi-Detached | 80-100m² | £4000-6000 | £5000-8000 |
| Detached House | 120-150m² | £6000-9000 | £7500-12000 |
| Bungalow | 60-80m² | £3000-5000 | £4000-6500 |
What is the cheapest type of external render?
Acrylic render is typically the cheapest at £40-60/m² including labour and materials. However, silicone render (£50-80/m²) offers better durability and self-cleaning properties, reducing long-term maintenance costs. Acrylic render requires repainting every 10-15 years, while silicone render can last 25-30 years without painting. For long-term value, silicone render is often cheaper over the building's lifetime despite higher initial cost.
Render Types Compared
Silicone Render
Silicone render is the premium option, offering superior water repellency and self-cleaning properties. Cost: £50-80/m². Lifespan: 25-30 years. Water runs off the surface, preventing algae growth and staining. Available in 200+ colours. Best for exposed coastal locations or areas with heavy rain. Brands: K Rend Silicone, Weber Pral M, Parex Maite.
Acrylic Render
Acrylic render is flexible and crack-resistant, making it ideal for buildings with slight movement. Cost: £40-60/m². Lifespan: 20-25 years. Good water resistance but not self-cleaning (requires repainting every 10-15 years). Budget-friendly option with wide colour range. Brands: K Rend, Wetherby, STO.
Mineral Render
Mineral render is traditional cement-based render, highly breathable and suitable for solid walls and listed buildings. Cost: £45-70/m². Lifespan: 25+ years. Requires painting after application (not pre-coloured). Best for heritage properties requiring vapour permeability. Brands: Weber, Parex, STO Mineral.
Cost Breakdown
A typical semi-detached house rendering job (£6000 total, silicone render) breaks down as follows:
- Scaffolding: £900-1200 (15-20% of total)
- Preparation: £400-600 (cleaning, repairs, crack filling)
- Primer: £200-300 (adhesion coat)
- Base coat: £800-1200 (first render layer with mesh)
- Top coat: £1000-1500 (finishing layer, coloured)
- Labour: £1800-2400 (60-70% of materials cost)
Preparation Costs
External rendering requires thorough preparation. Walls must be clean, stable and free from loose material. Preparation costs are often underestimated but critical for render adhesion and longevity.
- Pressure washing: £150-300 per house
- Crack repairs: £200-500 (filling, sealing)
- Repointing: £30-60/m² if extensive damage
- Render removal: £20-40/m² if old render must be stripped
- Mesh installation: Included in base coat price, reinforces render
Houses with poor brickwork, damp issues or crumbling mortar require additional work before rendering. A pre-rendering survey by the contractor identifies preparation needs and prevents cost overruns.
Scaffolding Costs
Scaffolding is essential for safe rendering work and accounts for 15-20% of total project cost. Typical UK scaffolding hire:
- Terraced house: £600-900 (4-6 weeks hire)
- Semi-detached: £900-1200
- Detached house: £1200-1800
Scaffolding costs include erection, weekly hire and dismantling. Most rendering jobs take 1-2 weeks, but scaffolding is hired for 4-6 weeks to allow drying time between coats and buffer for weather delays. Difficult access (narrow lanes, no parking) increases erection costs by £100-300.
Regional Variations
Rendering costs vary by UK region. London and South East are 20-30% above national average, Scotland and Wales 10-15% below.
| Region | Silicone Render/m² |
|---|---|
| London / South East | £60-90 |
| UK Average | £50-80 |
| Midlands / North | £45-70 |
| Scotland / Wales | £45-65 |
How to Get Accurate Quotes
Always get 3 written quotes from qualified rendering contractors. Quotes should specify:
- Total wall area in m² (excluding windows/doors)
- Render type and brand (K Rend, Weber, Parex, etc.)
- Number of coats (2-coat is standard)
- Scaffolding included or excluded
- Preparation work (cleaning, repairs, priming)
- Colour choice and sample board
- Timeline (typically 1-2 weeks plus drying time)
- Warranty (10-25 years depending on system)
Check contractor credentials: membership of Confederation of Master Builders or Federation of Master Builders, public liability insurance (minimum £2 million), previous work examples. Rendering is a 20+ year investment, so contractor quality matters more than lowest price.
Sources
- Checkatrade: External Rendering Costs UK 2026
- MyBuilder: How Much Does Rendering Cost? (2026)
- K Rend, Weber, Parex: Technical data sheets and coverage rates