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 Bolton 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 BL1, BL2 and BL3, and a typical project of this kind in the North West lands somewhere in the £4,800–£11,500 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £4,800–£11,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- BL1, BL2 and BL3
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater Manchester
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Cladding prices in Bolton
In Bolton, guide figures for cladding sit at £4,800–£11,500, VAT included. We set them using rates for the North West, currently about 5% below 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 Bolton |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,400–£4,800 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £4,800–£11,500 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £11,500–£28,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- 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
What do you get?
- Scaffolding or access towers as needed
- 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
Homes in Greater Manchester
Rows of Victorian red-brick terraces fill much of Manchester, Salford and the mill towns, with stone terraces in the Pennine fringes around Oldham and Saddleworth. South Manchester has Edwardian semis and villas, Wythenshawe was built as a large interwar garden suburb, and city-centre apartments and new estates continue to grow.
Rainfall is high, especially near the Pennines, so brickwork, gutters and roof coverings take a steady soaking and freeze-thaw over winter.
If your house in Bolton fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what cladding will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Planning and building rules in Bolton
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Bolton comes under England, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
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.
Price and scope agreed
After the survey we send a quote for cladding that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Plan and prepare
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
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
What you can expect from us
Cladding in Bolton: questions
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.
Do you cover Farnworth, Westhoughton and Radcliffe?
Yes. As well as Bolton, we cover Farnworth, Westhoughton and Radcliffe and the rest of Greater Manchester. 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.
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.
What happens at the survey?
We visit your home at a time that suits you, look at the area involved, take measurements and check access, condition and any services that might be affected. We talk through what you want from cladding, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
How much does house cladding cost?
Cladding around 40–60m² of wall, such as an extension or upper storey, costs £4,800–£11,500, 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.
Nearby towns
We cover every part of Bolton, including BL1, BL2 and BL3, and nearby Farnworth, Westhoughton and Radcliffe. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.