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 throughout County Down, from Bangor, County Down, Castlereagh, Newtownards and Newry to the smaller places in between. Each project starts with a free survey at your home and ends with a written figure, fixed for the work you choose. Because County Down is in Northern Ireland, we work to the planning system and building standards used there, and guide prices for Northern Ireland run at £4,300–£10,500 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £4,300–£10,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Planning rules
- Northern Ireland
- Price level
- About 14% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 5
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Cladding prices in County Down
Prices for cladding vary from house to house, but in County Down most projects fall within £4,300–£10,500 including VAT. That reflects costs in Northern Ireland, about 14% below the national guide. Treat the table as a budgeting aid; the written figure follows a survey we carry out for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in County Down |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,300–£4,300 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £4,300–£10,500 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £10,500–£26,000 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Wall area to be clad and the height of the building
- Cladding material and board profile
- Window reveals, corners and roof junctions to detail
- 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
- Breather membrane and treated battens fixed to the wall
- Insulation behind the cladding where agreed
- Cladding boards fixed with suitable stainless or coated fixings
- Waste removal and a clean site on completion
Housing across County Down
County Down takes in suburbs of Belfast, Bangor and Holywood with Victorian and Edwardian villas, and Newry, Downpatrick and Banbridge with older town centres and newer estates. Mourne granite appears in buildings around the mountains, and detached rural homes and bungalows are common across the county, often rendered or pebbledashed.
Villas and semis suit kitchen extensions, loft conversions and garden landscaping. Rural detached homes commonly take extensions and driveways, and rendered houses often need re-rendering, roofline renewal and window replacement.
Coastal areas such as the Ards Peninsula face salt and wind, and the Mournes bring heavier rain and colder conditions.
Planning and building rules in County Down
As County Down is in Northern Ireland, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a quote.
In Northern Ireland, re-rendering is usually treated as repair, but conservation areas and listed buildings are controlled.
Significant re-cladding or external insulation should be checked with building control under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland).
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
We look at the job
Book a visit and we'll come to you. The survey covers measurements, the state of what's there now and any obvious constraints, so the price that follows is based on your actual home, not an average.
Written quote
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Getting ready
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.
Finish and handover
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
Frequently asked questions
Which postcodes in County Down do you cover?
We cover BT19, BT2, BT23 and BT35, along with the rest of County Down. If your postcode is not listed, get in touch anyway: our coverage is UK-wide, and we can usually arrange a survey wherever you live. Enter your postcode in the guide-price tool or contact form and we will confirm.
Can you clad over existing render or brick?
Cladding is usually fixed over existing render or brick using battens, as long as the wall is sound and dry. Loose render may need removing first so the fixings hold. The battens create a ventilated gap so any moisture can drain and dry. We check the wall during the survey and explain any preparation needed before cladding.
Do you cover Bangor, County Down, Castlereagh and Newtownards?
Yes. As well as County Down, we cover Bangor, County Down, Castlereagh and Newtownards and the rest of County Down. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
How much does house cladding cost?
Cladding around 40–60m² of wall, such as an extension or upper storey, costs £4,300–£10,500, including membrane, battens and trims. As a guide, allow roughly £80–£180 per square metre plus fixed costs for scaffolding and set-up. uPVC and softwood sit at the lower end, while hardwood, composite and fibre cement cost more. Adding insulation increases the price. We confirm a fixed figure after the survey.
Will timber cladding change colour?
Untreated timber cladding naturally weathers to a silver-grey over a year or two as sunlight breaks down the surface. The change can be uneven at first, especially under eaves where rain does not reach. If you want to keep the original colour, a UV-protective stain or oil is needed and must be renewed every few years. Pre-weathered and coated boards are also available.
Towns in County Down
Looking for cladding somewhere in County Down? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.