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 East Sussex, and Hove is one of the places we cover, along with nearby Brighton, Portslade and Shoreham-by-Sea. 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 East it sits within £5,600–£13,500 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £5,600–£13,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- BN1, BN3 and BN41
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Brighton and Hove
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for cladding in Hove?
In Hove, guide figures for cladding sit at £5,600–£13,500, VAT included. We set them using rates for the South East, currently about 12% above the national guide. The table shows what pushes a project towards either end of the range; your own price is set after a free survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Hove |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,700–£5,600 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £5,600–£13,500 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £13,500–£33,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Wall area to be clad and the height of the building
- Insulation behind the cladding
- Window reveals, corners and roof junctions to detail
- Scaffolding, access and distance from boundaries
What does the job include in Hove?
- Survey of the wall, boundaries, damp and window details
- Scaffolding or access towers as needed
- Breather membrane and treated battens fixed to the wall
- 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
Building in Hove
Brighton and Hove are known for Regency stucco terraces and bow-fronted houses, alongside Victorian terraces climbing the hills. Lewes and Brighton have mathematical tiles and flint walls, Eastbourne has large Victorian and Edwardian villas, and Wealden villages use tile-hanging, weatherboarding and timber frames. Interwar suburbs and newer estates fill out most towns.
Regency and Victorian houses often need sash-style windows, stucco or render repair and careful decorating. Hillside terraces suit loft conversions, and flint or brick walls commonly need repointing in lime mortar.
That mix of housing shapes how we approach cladding in Hove: the age and construction of your home affect the materials, the method and, in the end, the price.
Planning and building rules in Hove
Each UK nation sets its own consent rules, and Hove is in England. What follows is a plain summary; we check the specifics for your property with the council before pricing anything.
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.
From survey to handover
A visit to your home
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 put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Dates and permissions
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Build and hand over
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
Can cladding improve insulation?
Cladding can improve insulation if insulation boards are fixed to the wall behind the battens, which reduces heat loss and can help with cold or damp internal walls. This adds thickness, so window reveals, sills and roof edges need careful detailing. Cladding alone, without insulation, adds very little warmth. We can price both options so you can compare.
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission in Hove?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Hove is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
How much will cladding cost in Hove?
As a guide, expect to pay £5,600–£13,500 including VAT for cladding in Hove. That range is adjusted for the South East, which runs about 12% above the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
Near Hove
We cover every part of Hove, including BN1, BN3 and BN41, and nearby Brighton, Portslade and Shoreham-by-Sea. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.