How much does house cladding cost in the UK?
House cladding costs £40 to £90 in the UK, typically around £60 per m². Prices reviewed June 2026.
External cladding is priced by the square metre of wall, supplied and fitted. uPVC is the cheapest option, with timber, composite and fibre cement costing more.
Price your house cladding
Adjust for your job and area to get a range. Nothing is sent anywhere.
House cladding cost breakdown
Typical house cladding costs, by the unit:
| What | Typical UK cost |
|---|---|
| Per m², supplied and fitted | £40 to £90 per m² |
| + Insulation behind the cladding | add £15 to £40 per m² |
| + Scaffolding for upper floors | add £8 to £20 per m² |
| Typical 60 m² | £2,400 to £5,400 |
What's included in the price?
Typical house cladding prices include:
- Cladding boards and fixings, supplied and fitted
- Battens and a breather membrane behind
- Labour to fit and finish
- Trims and edge details
What changes the price?
The things that move house cladding prices most:
Wall area in square metres
Material: uPVC, timber, composite, fibre cement or metal
Whether insulation is added behind the cladding
Access, and scaffolding for upper floors
Does where you live change the cost?
In London, house cladding typically costs around £80 per m², about 30% above the UK average of £60. In the North, Scotland and Wales the guide figure is nearer £55.
| Region | From | Typical | Up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midlands / East (UK average) | £40 | £60 | £90 |
| London | £50 | £80 | £120 |
| South East / South West | £45 | £70 | £100 |
| North / Scotland / Wales | £35 | £55 | £85 |
Guide prices per m², scaled with the same regional multipliers as the calculator. Not quotes.
London and the South East run above the national figures, mainly on labour and access.
Common questions
House cladding costs roughly £40 to £90 per m² supplied and fitted in the UK, typically around £60. So cladding a 60 square metre elevation is about £2,400 to £5,400. uPVC sits at the lower end, with timber, composite and fibre cement costing more. Adding insulation behind the cladding, and scaffolding for upper floors, push the figure up.
They are in a similar range, so it comes down to the finish you want. Rendering runs about £40 to £65 per m² and gives a smooth painted surface; cladding runs £40 to £90 per m² and gives a timber or board look that is fitted dry, often faster and less weather-dependent. Render is usually the cheaper choice for a plain finish, while cladding buys a particular look and can add insulation. See our house rendering cost guide for the comparison.
uPVC cladding is the cheapest at the lower end of the £40 to £90 per m² range. It is light, low-maintenance and quick to fit, though it looks less premium than timber or composite and can fade over many years. If budget is the priority, uPVC does the weatherproofing job; if appearance matters more, timber or composite justify their higher cost.
Fresh cladding lifts kerb appeal, can cover tired or damaged brickwork, and when paired with insulation improves warmth, all of which help a sale. As with most exterior work, though, a value uplift is never guaranteed, so treat cladding as protection and appearance rather than an investment. A tidy, well-fitted finish in a material that suits the house does the most for a buyer.
For a normal house, re-cladding in a similar appearance is often permitted development, but there are real exceptions: conservation areas, listed buildings, flats and maisonettes, and some material choices need consent. Building regulations may also require you to upgrade the wall insulation if you clad a large area. Check with your local planning office before committing, especially on anything prominent or protected.
The common options, cheapest first, are uPVC (low cost, low maintenance), timber (natural look, needs periodic treating), composite (timber look with far less upkeep, mid to high price), and fibre cement or metal for a modern finish. The price per m² rises with the material, so the £40 to £90 range mostly reflects which board you pick, plus the labour and any insulation behind it.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.