The short answer
On upfront cost, render is generally lower-priced than cladding: a basic cement render on a typical three-bed semi often lands around £2,250–£4,500, with premium insulated render systems nearer £7,500–£12,000, while composite or treated-timber cladding more often sits at £6,000–£12,000 and premium cladding materials higher still. Cladding typically costs 30–100% more up front than render. The trade-off is upkeep and look: render usually needs periodic cleaning and repainting, while many cladding materials are lower-maintenance and offer a different finish. Both face the same planning backdrop — like-for-like work is often permitted, but conservation areas, AONBs, national parks and listed buildings are exceptions, and covering more than 25% of your walls triggers building-regulations approval and a thermal upgrade.
Cladding and render do the same job — protecting and finishing an external wall — but differ on price, upkeep and look. Here is how they compare, and the rules that apply to both.
At a glance
- Render (basic)~£2,250–£4,500 (3-bed semi)
- Render (insulated)~£7,500–£12,000
- Cladding (typical)~£6,000–£12,000
- Upfrontcladding ~30–100% more
- >25% of wallsbuilding regs apply to both
Cost and upkeep compared
Render is usually the lower-priced option up front. A basic cement render on a typical three-bed semi often comes in around £2,250–£4,500, rising to £7,500–£12,000 for premium insulated render systems. Cladding more commonly sits at £6,000–£12,000 for composite or treated timber, and higher for premium materials — typically 30–100% more than render up front. On upkeep, render generally needs periodic cleaning and repainting and can crack, while many cladding materials (composite, fibre-cement, uPVC) are lower-maintenance. The right choice balances upfront budget, the look you want and how much ongoing upkeep you will accept.
| Option | Typical cost (3-bed semi) | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Basic cement render | ~£2,250–£4,500 | clean & repaint; can crack |
| Insulated render system | ~£7,500–£12,000 | periodic upkeep |
| Composite / timber cladding | ~£6,000–£12,000 | low to moderate, by material |
| Premium cladding | higher | varies by material |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: trade cost guides; figures depend on property and material.
The planning rules that apply to both
Cladding and render share the same planning backdrop. On a standard house, like-for-like work using materials of a similar appearance to the existing wall is often permitted development with no planning permission. The exceptions are conservation areas, national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) and the Broads, where you should apply for permission first, and listed buildings, which normally need listed building consent. Separately, if you reclad, re-render or re-plaster more than 25% of your external walls, you will normally need building-regulations approval and must improve the wall's thermal insulation at the same time.
Weighing cladding against render?
We'll match you with a vetted cladding installer who measures up, quotes the options for your home, and flags any planning or building-regulation check that applies.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to clad or render a house?
Render is generally the lower-priced option up front — often around £2,250–£4,500 for basic cement render on a three-bed semi — while cladding typically costs 30–100% more. Cladding can offer lower maintenance and a different look in return, so weigh upfront cost against upkeep and appearance.
Do I need planning permission to clad or render my house?
On a standard house, like-for-like work with materials of a similar appearance is often permitted development. But conservation areas, national parks, AONBs and the Broads need planning permission first, and listed buildings normally need listed building consent. Always check your own case with the local planning authority.
Does cladding need building regulations approval?
If you reclad, re-render or re-plaster more than 25% of your external walls, you will normally need building-regulations approval and must improve the wall's thermal insulation. Confirm whether the threshold applies to your project before starting.
Sources & further reading
- Planning Portal — external walls planning permission
- MyJobQuote — external cladding or rendering costs
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific property. They are guidance, not a quotation.