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.
Cost is usually the first question about cladding, so here is the guide for the West Midlands: £4,900–£12,000 including VAT. We cover the whole of West Midlands, with Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Dudley among the main centres. Because each UK nation sets its own rules, we check the requirements in England for your property, then put a firm price on paper following a free survey.
- Guide price
- £4,900–£12,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3 days to 3 weeks depending on area
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 24
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Cladding prices in West Midlands
Use the table to gauge the cost of cladding in West Midlands before we visit. Figures include VAT and are scaled for the West Midlands, coming out about 2% below the national guide, which gives £4,900–£12,000 overall. After a free survey, you receive a fixed written price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in West Midlands |
|---|---|---|
| Feature area or dormer | A gable, dormer, bay or small feature wall in uPVC, timber or composite. | £1,450–£4,900 |
| Extension or upper storey | About 40–60m² of timber, composite or fibre cement with membrane and battens. | £4,900–£12,000 |
| Whole house | Cladding most elevations of a house, often with added insulation. | £12,000–£29,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Cladding material and board profile
- 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
- Breather membrane and treated battens fixed to the wall
- Insulation behind the cladding where agreed
- Corner trims, window reveals and ventilated top and bottom edges
- Waste removal and a clean site on completion
Homes in West Midlands
Red-brick Victorian and Edwardian terraces are common in the inner areas of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, ringed by large swathes of 1930s semis with bay windows and hipped roofs. You'll also find post-war council estates, some system-built blocks, Coventry's rebuilt centre and larger detached homes in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
1930s semis often suit side and rear extensions, hip-to-gable loft conversions and garage conversions. Victorian terraces tend to need repointing, roof work and replacement windows, and many have room for a side-return extension.
An inland climate with regular winter frosts means freeze-thaw damage to soft brick and old mortar is a common reason for repointing and render repairs.
Planning and building rules in West Midlands
The notes below cover England, which is where West Midlands sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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.
The four stages
A visit to your home
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.
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.
Dates and permissions
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
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.
How we work
Questions about cladding in West Midlands
Do I need planning permission to clad my house?
Whether cladding needs planning permission depends on the material and how it changes the look of the house, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you live in. In England, cladding is generally permitted development only if the materials look similar to the existing house, and it is not permitted development in conservation areas. We check before quoting.
How much will cladding cost in West Midlands?
As a guide, expect to pay £4,900–£12,000 including VAT for cladding in West Midlands. That range is adjusted for the West Midlands, which runs about 2% below 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.
Do I need planning permission in West Midlands?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. West Midlands 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 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.
How much does house cladding cost?
Cladding around 40–60m² of wall, such as an extension or upper storey, costs £4,900–£12,000, 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.
Towns in West Midlands
Looking for cladding somewhere in West Midlands? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.