Rendering & External Finishes

Rendering costs £30-£60 per m² depending on the type. A typical semi-detached house costs £4,000-£8,000 for full rendering.

A semi-detached house typically takes 1-2 weeks including preparation, rendering, and finishing. Weather can affect timing.

Options include cement render, silicone render, acrylic render, lime render, and monocouche. Each has different benefits and price points.

Cement render is the cheapest (£25-£40/m²) but can crack over time and needs painting. Silicone render (£40-£60/m²) is self-cleaning, flexible, and comes pre-coloured so it never needs painting. Silicone render has a 25-30 year lifespan versus 10-15 years for cement.

Monocouche is a one-coat through-coloured render applied in a single layer. It costs £35-£55/m² and offers good weather protection. It is faster to apply than traditional two-coat systems but offers fewer colour options than silicone render.

It depends on the condition of the existing render. If it is sound and well-adhered, new render can be applied over the top with proper preparation. If the existing render is cracked, hollow-sounding, or loose, it should be removed first to avoid problems.

Rendering alone provides minimal insulation. However, external wall insulation (EWI) with a render finish can dramatically reduce heat loss. EWI costs £80-£120/m² and can save £200-£400/year on energy bills for a solid-wall property.

Repointing brickwork costs £25-£50/m². A semi-detached house typically costs £2,000-£5,000 for full repointing. Repointing is essential when mortar joints are cracked, crumbling, or recessed, as it prevents water penetration and structural damage.