Cladding is a protective outer layer of boards or panels, such as timber, composite, fibre cement or uPVC, fixed to battens on the outside of a wall to change its appearance, shed rain and, where insulation is added, reduce heat loss.
We offer cladding across Cornwall, and Truro is one of the places we cover, along with nearby Falmouth, Redruth and Newquay. Before anything is agreed we visit, check the existing structure and talk through your options. You then receive a written quote setting out the full scope; for most homes in the South West it sits within £5,100–£12,000 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £5,100–£12,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- TR1
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Cornwall
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for cladding in Truro?
What should you budget for cladding in Truro? Use the figures below as a starting point. Prices in the South West sit about 2% above the national guide, so the range here is £5,100–£12,000 including VAT. Your fixed price comes in writing once we've surveyed the property, at no charge.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Truro |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,550–£5,100 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £5,100–£12,000 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £12,000–£30,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Wall area to be clad and the height of the building
- Cladding material and board profile
- Insulation behind the cladding
- Scaffolding, access and distance from boundaries
Scope of the work
- Survey of the wall, boundaries, damp and window details
- Scaffolding or access towers as needed
- Insulation behind the cladding where agreed
- Cavity barriers and fire-stopping where regulations require
- Cladding boards fixed with suitable stainless or coated fixings
- Waste removal and a clean site on completion
Local housing and cladding
Older Cornish homes are often built of granite or slatey local stone, with slate roofs and sometimes slate-hung walls facing the weather. Cob cottages survive in places, Truro and Falmouth keep Georgian and Victorian streets, and many towns have rendered post-war houses, bungalows and newer estates on their edges.
Cornwall faces Atlantic gales, driving rain and salt-laden air, so render, pointing and window hardware on exposed elevations need a suitably robust specification.
That mix of housing shapes how we approach cladding in Truro: the age and construction of your home affect the materials, the method and, in the end, the price.
Permissions for cladding in Truro
For anyone in Truro, the relevant framework is England's. The summary below is general, so we always contact the council about your address before putting a price in writing.
In England, re-rendering or cladding a house is often allowed without planning permission, but stone, render, timber, plastic or tile cladding is not permitted development in conservation areas, and listed buildings need consent.
If you render or re-clad more than 25% of an external wall, Building Regulations usually require the wall’s insulation to be improved where that is practical, and building control should be notified.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
What happens after you get in touch?
We look at the job
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for cladding so the price reflects your home.
Written quote
We turn the survey notes into a written quote. The price is fixed for the specification we agree, and the document sets out materials, scope and payment stages in plain language.
Dates and permissions
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
On site to finish
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
How we work
Questions about cladding in Truro
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
Are there fire-safety rules for cladding?
Building regulations limit the fire-spread performance of cladding on walls close to a boundary and on taller buildings, which can rule out some timber or composite products in those positions. Cavity barriers behind the cladding also help stop fire spreading through the gap. Fibre cement is non-combustible. We check boundary distances and product data before recommending a material.
How long does cladding take to install?
Cladding a small dormer or gable usually takes a few days, an extension or upper storey around one to two weeks, and a whole house two to three weeks or more. Scaffolding, insulation and detailing around many windows add time. Timber boards may need to acclimatise on site first. We give you a programme with the written quote.
Can I stay at home during the work?
In most cases, yes. Most people can live at home throughout, and we plan the work to keep disruption down by protecting floors, agreeing working hours and keeping access routes clear. Bigger jobs affecting kitchens, bathrooms or heating may mean a short spell with reduced facilities, and we talk this through with you at the survey.
Do I need planning permission to clad my house?
Whether cladding needs planning permission depends on the material and how it changes the look of the house, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you live in. In England, cladding is generally permitted development only if the materials look similar to the existing house, and it is not permitted development in conservation areas. We check before quoting.
Near Truro
Addresses in TR1 are all covered for Truro, along with Falmouth, Redruth and Newquay close by. Give us your postcode when you get in touch and we will confirm the details.