House rendering cost
House rendering cost in the UK depends mainly on the area of wall, the type of render and how much preparation the walls need. Below we set out the published rendering cost per m² and whole-house figures we checked in October 2026, each with its source, so you can set a realistic budget before asking for quotes.
Rendering cost per m² by render type
Most plasterers price rendering by the square metre, so the per m² rate is the most useful starting point. Rates differ between sources because each draws on different jobs and includes slightly different things, and some pages give more than one range for the same render. The table shows each figure as published, alongside the source and the date the page gave.
| Render type | Price per m² | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sand and cement | £30 to £50 | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| Sand and cement | £40 to £60 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Sand and cement | £30 to £45, average £38 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| Monocouche | Around £80, including labour | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| Monocouche | £45 to £75, materials and labour | MyBuilder monocouche guide, August 2026 |
| Monocouche | £40 to £55, average £48 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| Acrylic | Around £55 | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| Acrylic | £50 to £70 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| Silicone | Around £72.50, often including labour | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| Silicone | £60 to £100 | MyBuilder, August 2026 |
| K Rend (silicone render) | £45 to £65, average £55 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| Lime | £50 to £70, average £60 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| Lime | £70 to £100 | HomeBuilding.co.uk, October 2024 |
Less.co.uk says its per m² prices include labour and materials, with scaffolding extra. Checkatrade gives a general range of £30 to £80 per m², which it says includes painting, although the final figure depends on the render system and finish. MyBuilder's rendering guide gives several overall ranges that do not agree with each other, including £40 to £100 per m², and splits a typical rate into labour at £30 to £60 per m² and materials at £20 to £40 per m².
House rendering cost by house type
Whole-house prices are easier to budget with, but they depend heavily on how much wall each source assumes. Checkatrade bases its two-bed terrace on around 40 m² of wall, while Less.co.uk uses around 60 m², so the figures are not directly comparable. Less.co.uk's whole-house prices include scaffolding, and MyJobQuote's are for a basic lime or cement render.
| Property | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2-bed terrace (around 40 m²) | £1,200 to £3,200 | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| 2-bed terrace (around 60 m²), including scaffolding | £2,000 to £3,800, average £2,800 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| 2-bed bungalow, basic lime or cement | £2,500 to £3,500 | MyJobQuote, October 2026 |
| 3-bed semi (around 90 m²) | £2,700 to £7,200 | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
| 3-bed semi (around 90 m²), including scaffolding | £3,500 to £7,000, average £5,000 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| 3-bed semi, basic lime or cement | £4,200 to £5,500 | MyJobQuote, October 2026 |
| 3-bed detached (around 120 m²), including scaffolding | £4,800 to £9,000, average £6,500 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| 4-bed detached (around 160 m²), including scaffolding | £6,500 to £12,000, average £8,500 | Less.co.uk, 2026 |
| 4-bed detached, basic lime or cement | £6,700 to £8,300 | MyJobQuote, October 2026 |
| 5-bed detached (around 142 m²) | £9,690 to £12,075 | Checkatrade, updated January 2026 |
If you know roughly how much wall you have, our rendering cost calculator turns your measurements into an estimated range for each render type.
What affects rendering cost
After wall area and render type, preparation is usually the biggest variable. HomeBuilding.co.uk suggests adding £10 to £30 per m² for surface preparation, which covers jobs such as cleaning, raking out loose material, treating the background and fixing mesh over weak areas. If the old render has to come off completely, Checkatrade puts removal at £1,500 to £8,000, depending on the size of the house and what is being removed.
Scaffolding is the other large extra. Checkatrade suggests budgeting around £875 per week for a two-storey semi, MyBuilder gives £500 to £2,500 and HomeBuilding.co.uk says scaffolding may add up to £1,500. Taller buildings, steep plots and terraces with no side access all push this up.
Detail work adds time too. Every external corner, window reveal and the base of the wall needs a bead or trim, and houses with bays, porches and lots of openings take longer than a plain elevation. Weather also plays a part, as most renders should not be applied in frost, heavy rain or strong sun, so autumn and winter jobs can take longer. MyJobQuote gives a rendering specialist's day rate of around £130 to £250 per day.
- Total wall area after windows and doors
- Render system, colour and finish
- Preparation, repairs and any removal of old render
- Scaffolding and access
- Beads, trims, sills and other detailing
- Time of year and weather delays
Choosing a render system
Traditional sand and cement render is the cheapest option in most published figures, but it usually needs painting and can crack if the wall moves. Monocouche is a through-coloured, single-coat render applied by machine or hand and then scraped to a textured finish, so it does not need painting. Acrylic and silicone are thin-coat renders applied over a base coat, and silicone in particular is designed to repel water and resist dirt, which is why it is popular on exposed coastal houses. Our silicone rendering cost guide covers thin-coat renders in more depth.
Lime render is the usual choice for solid-walled period homes, because it lets moisture move out of the wall rather than trapping it. Cement render on an old solid wall can hold damp behind it and cause problems inside. If your house is in a conservation area or is listed, a change of render or colour may need consent, so check with your local council before you choose.
Repair versus re-render
Not every tired-looking house needs a full re-render. If the render is still well bonded to the wall, with only hairline cracks or a few small blown patches, a repair and redecoration may be enough and will cost far less. A plasterer can tap the walls to find hollow-sounding areas where the render has come away from the masonry.
Repairs become poor value when large areas are loose, when water is getting behind the render or when the cracks are wide and widespread. Matching the texture and colour of old render is also difficult, so patched areas can stand out. In those cases, removing the old render and starting again often gives a better result. Replacing render across a large part of a wall can bring building regulations into play, because it may count as renovating a thermal element, so ask your plasterer or local building control whether insulation needs to be considered. If your house is pebbledashed, our pebbledash removal page explains the options.
Getting accurate rendering quotes
Published figures are a guide, not a quote, and no website can see the state of your walls. When comparing quotes, check that each one covers the same area, the same render system and the same preparation, and that scaffolding, removal of old render, beads and making good around windows are either included or listed separately. A low price that leaves out scaffolding can end up costing more than a higher one that includes it.
You can fill in our short form or call 01273 115520 to get up to 3 free quotes from checked local plasterers who carry out rendering across Sussex. It is free, and there is no obligation to go ahead.
Plastering services we cover
Frequently asked questions
How much does rendering cost per m²?+
Checkatrade gives a general range of £30 to £80 per m², depending on the render system and finish. By type, sand and cement is £30 to £50 per m² at Checkatrade and £30 to £45 at Less.co.uk, while silicone is around £72.50 per m² at Checkatrade. Preparation and scaffolding are usually extra.
How much does it cost to render a 3-bed semi?+
Checkatrade gives £2,700 to £7,200 for a 3-bed semi with around 90 m² of wall. Less.co.uk gives £3,500 to £7,000 including scaffolding, and MyJobQuote gives £4,200 to £5,500 for a basic lime or cement render.
Is scaffolding included in rendering prices?+
It depends on the source and the quote. Less.co.uk includes scaffolding in its whole-house figures but not its per m² rates. Checkatrade suggests budgeting around £875 per week for a two-storey semi, so always check what a quote covers.
Is it cheaper to repair render than replace it?+
Usually, if the render is still well bonded and the damage is limited to small areas. Where large sections are loose or water is getting behind the render, a full re-render often gives a better and longer-lasting result. A plasterer can assess the walls and advise.
Do I need planning permission to render my house?+
Often not, but you may need permission in a conservation area, on a listed building or where the work changes the appearance of the house significantly. Check with your local council before work starts.
Sources for the prices on this page
Prices are published UK averages and include labour. Every job is different, so the quotes you receive will reflect your own property, access and materials.
- Checkatrade: House rendering, cost breakdown (UK) 2026, checked October 2026
- MyBuilder: Understanding rendering costs for your project, checked October 2026
- MyBuilder: Monocouche render costs in 2026, checked October 2026
- Less.co.uk: External wall rendering cost 2026, checked October 2026
- MyJobQuote: How much to render a house? (2026 UK prices), checked October 2026
- HomeBuilding.co.uk: How much does house rendering cost?, checked October 2026
Compare up to 3 free quotes
Tell us about the job and up to 3 checked local plasterers will be in touch with quotes. There is no charge and no obligation. Or call 01273 115520.