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.
Homeowners in Cardiff usually consider cladding for one of a few reasons: something has worn out, the house no longer suits the way they live, or they are getting it ready to sell. We visit, agree a specification and put a fixed price in writing. Most jobs like this take 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area, and we work across South Glamorgan, including Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry.
- Guide price
- £4,600–£11,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Postcodes
- CF10, CF11 and CF24
- Planning rules
- Wales
- Local area
- South Glamorgan
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does cladding cost in Cardiff?
The costs listed here are typical for cladding around Cardiff and include VAT. They reflect labour and material costs in Wales, about 8% below the national guide, giving a range of £4,600–£11,000. Exact pricing depends on your home, so we only fix it once a free site survey is done.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Cardiff |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,400–£4,600 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £4,600–£11,000 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £11,000–£27,500 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Wall area to be clad and the height of the building
- Cladding material and board profile
- Insulation behind the cladding
- Window reveals, corners and roof junctions to detail
Scope of the work
- Survey of the wall, boundaries, damp and window details
- 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
- Waste removal and a clean site on completion
What are homes like around Cardiff?
Cardiff has large areas of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces in districts such as Roath, Canton and Cathays, plus interwar suburbs, post-war estates and modern flats around Cardiff Bay. Penarth has Victorian villas, Barry mixes terraces with newer estates, and Vale of Glamorgan villages are often built of local limestone.
Terraces commonly suit loft conversions, side-return and rear extensions, and bay window renewal. Suburban semis take side extensions and driveways, and stone village homes need lime-based repairs.
So when we survey a Cardiff property for cladding, the first step is working out how it was built and what has been changed since.
Planning and building rules in Cardiff
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Cardiff, the answer is Wales, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
In Wales, rendering or cladding may need planning permission in conservation areas, and listed buildings need consent.
Building Regulations in Wales can require insulation upgrades when a large part of an external wall is renovated.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price cladding properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Your fixed price
You get the price in writing, itemised so you can see where the money goes. As long as the specification stays the same, that is the price you pay for cladding.
Getting ready
We handle the paperwork side: checking whether planning permission or building control approval is needed, submitting applications where they are, and scheduling the trades and materials around your dates.
Finish and handover
Our trades complete cladding while your point of contact keeps you updated. When everything is finished, we clear the site, take away waste and go through the result with you before handover.
Why homeowners choose us
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
Which postcodes in Cardiff do you cover?
We cover CF10, CF11 and CF24, along with the rest of South Glamorgan. 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.
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.
Nearby towns
Coverage for Cardiff spans CF10, CF11 and CF24. Close by, Penarth, Caerphilly and Barry are covered too, and the rest of our UK-wide area follows the same survey-then-quote process from start to finish.