2026 Pricing Guide
Rendering Costs UK 2026
Sand & cement, silicone and acrylic — see real UK external render prices and get an instant estimate.
External rendering transforms and protects your home's walls, costing £45–£110 per m² in 2026 depending on the render type. Sand and cement render is the most affordable at £45–£70/m², while through-coloured silicone render costs £70–£110/m² but needs no painting and resists cracking. A typical semi-detached house (70–100m² of wall) costs £3,500–£11,000 to render. Costs rise if old render must be removed or walls need extensive prep.
Rendering Prices
How Much Does Each Rendering Option Cost?
Prices below are indicative 2026 UK market rates and include labour and materials. Use our calculator for a personalised estimate.
Sand & Cement Render (per m²)
£45 – £70
Traditional, painted after. Durable but can crack. Best value for large areas.
Silicone Render (per m²)
£70 – £110
Through-coloured, self-cleaning, flexible. No painting needed. Premium option.
Acrylic Render (per m²)
£60 – £95
Flexible, coloured, good over insulation. Mid-range price and performance.
Small Wall (up to 50m²)
£1,500 – £3,500
Single gable, extension or feature wall. Minimum charge applies.
Semi-Detached (50–100m²)
£3,500 – £8,000
Full front and side elevation. Most common domestic job.
Detached (100–200m²)
£6,000 – £18,000
Full house render. Silicone render recommended for low maintenance.
* All prices are estimates. A site survey is required for an accurate quote. Use our calculator for a personalised estimate.
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Get my instant estimateWhat to Expect
The Rendering Process Step by Step
Survey & Prep
Assess wall condition, remove loose render, clean, apply bonding coat or beading as needed.
Base Coat
Apply scratch coat (sand & cement) or primer (silicone). Rule flat and scratch for a key.
Top Coat
Apply final render coat to the specified thickness. Trowel smooth or textured finish as chosen.
Cure & Detail
Allow to cure (24h–7 days depending on type). Fit beads, seal around openings, protect from rain and frost.
Finish
Silicone/acrylic are through-coloured (no painting). Sand & cement needs a mist coat and 2 topcoats of masonry paint.
Common Mistakes
4 Mistakes to Avoid
Rendering in Cold Weather
Render applied below 5°C won't cure properly and can fail. Reputable renderers stop work in frost. Silicone render is more tolerant but still weather-dependent.
Skipping Wall Prep
Painted, dirty or crumbling walls need a bonding agent or beading. Render applied to a poor surface cracks and falls off within months. Prep is non-negotiable.
Choosing Sand & Cement in Cold Climates
Rigid sand and cement render cracks with freeze-thaw cycles. In exposed or northern locations, flexible silicone render lasts far longer despite the higher cost.
Not Sealing Around Openings
Render must be properly detailed around windows, doors and penetrations with stop beads and sealant. Poor detailing lets water in behind the render, causing damp and failure.
FAQs
Rendering Cost FAQs
How much does rendering cost per m² in the UK in 2026?
External rendering costs £45–£110 per m² in 2026. Sand and cement render costs £45–£70/m², acrylic render £60–£95/m², and silicone render £70–£110/m². Removing old render or preparing painted walls adds 15–25% to the cost.
How much does it cost to render a house?
Rendering a semi-detached house (70–100m² of wall) costs £3,500–£8,000. A detached house (100–200m²) costs £6,000–£18,000. Silicone render costs more upfront but needs no painting, saving £1,000–£3,000 over 10 years.
Which render is best?
Silicone render is the best all-round choice — it's through-coloured (no painting), flexible (resists cracking), self-cleaning and lasts 25+ years. Sand and cement is cheapest but needs painting every 5–7 years and can crack. Acrylic is a good mid-range option.
How long does external render take to dry?
Sand and cement render takes 4–7 days to dry before painting. Silicone and acrylic render are through-coloured and need 24–48 hours between coats. A full house render takes 5–14 days depending on size and weather.
Do I need planning permission to render my house?
Generally no, unless your home is in a conservation area or is listed. If you change the external appearance materially (e.g. pebbledash to smooth render) in a conservation area, you'll need consent. Check with your local council.
Can you render over painted walls?
Painted walls need a bonding agent (e.g. PVA or a mechanical key) before rendering, or the new render won't adhere. Painted, pebbledashed or previously rendered surfaces add 15–25% to the cost for prep. Bare brick is the easiest surface to render.
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