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.
If you live in Durham and are weighing up cladding, the starting point is a visit to measure up and talk through what you want, which costs nothing. We cover homes across DH1, and a typical project of this kind in the North East lands somewhere in the £4,500–£11,000 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £4,500–£11,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- DH1
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- County Durham
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for cladding in Durham?
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for cladding in Durham. Because rates in the North East are about 10% below the national guide, the overall guide comes to £4,500–£11,000, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,350–£4,500 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £4,500–£11,000 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £11,000–£27,000 |
What moves the price up or down:
- 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
- Breather membrane and treated battens fixed to the wall
- Insulation behind the cladding where agreed
- Cavity barriers and fire-stopping where regulations require
- Cladding boards fixed with suitable stainless or coated fixings
- Corner trims, window reveals and ventilated top and bottom edges
- Waste removal and a clean site on completion
What are homes like around Durham?
Colliery villages across County Durham are lined with brick and stone terraces, many built for mining families. Durham City has Georgian and Victorian streets, Darlington has Victorian terraces and villas, and Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe were planned as post-war new towns. Dales farmhouses in Weardale and Teesdale are stone, often under stone or slate roofs.
Colliery terraces commonly suit loft rooms, rear extensions and window replacement, and many need repointing. New-town homes often benefit from rendering or cladding upgrades and roofline renewal, while stone farmhouses may need lime work.
So when we survey a Durham property for cladding, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Do you need permission in Durham?
As Durham is in England, 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 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?
Survey and measure
We begin by looking at the job in person. During the free survey we discuss options, materials and budget for cladding, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
Quote in writing
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.
Plan and prepare
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.
Build and hand over
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
What you can expect from us
Common questions
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.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
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.
How much does house cladding cost?
Cladding around 40–60m² of wall, such as an extension or upper storey, costs £4,500–£11,000, 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.
Which cladding material needs the least maintenance?
Fibre cement, composite and uPVC cladding need the least upkeep, usually just an occasional wash. Thermally modified and hardwood timber can be left to weather naturally to a silver-grey, which needs no treatment, but keeping the original colour means re-staining every few years. Painted timber needs repainting regularly. We explain the long-term care of each option.
Also covering areas around Durham
Durham and its DH1 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Chester-le-Street, Houghton-Le-Spring and Stanley can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.