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 Bexley 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 DA5, DA6, DA14 and DA15, and a typical project of this kind in London lands somewhere in the £6,500–£15,500 bracket, including VAT. The exact figure depends on size, access and the finish you choose.
- Guide price
- £6,500–£15,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- DA5, DA6, DA14, DA15 and DA16
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater London
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
What should you budget for cladding in Bexley?
Here is how the guide price for cladding breaks down in Bexley. We start from national figures and adjust for London, which comes out about 30% above the national guide. The resulting range, VAT included, is £6,500–£15,500, and a survey, at no cost to you, firms it up.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Bexley |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,950–£6,500 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £6,500–£15,500 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £15,500–£39,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- 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
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
- Corner trims, window reveals and ventilated top and bottom edges
Local housing and cladding
London's housing is dominated by Victorian and Edwardian terraces, often in yellow London stock brick, with Georgian terraces in central districts and mansion blocks across many inner areas. Outer boroughs have large belts of interwar semis, and there are extensive post-war council estates. Many houses have been split into flats, and conservation areas are widespread.
London Clay shrinks and swells with the seasons, and street trees close to houses can contribute to movement, which affects foundation design.
These patterns matter for cladding: older walls, roofs and floors in Bexley can need different materials or extra preparation compared with newer homes.
Planning and building rules in Bexley
Bexley is in England, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we 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.
From survey to handover
Free site survey
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.
Your fixed price
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.
Booking the work
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
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
Why homeowners choose us
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission in Bexley?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Bexley 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.
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.
How much does house cladding cost?
Cladding around 40–60m² of wall, such as an extension or upper storey, costs £6,500–£15,500, 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.
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.
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.
Also covering areas around Bexley
From DA5, DA6, DA14 and DA15 to the edges of Bexley and on into Welling, Dartford and Swanley, we can arrange a site visit and a written quote for your project, planned around dates that work for you.