External rendering is applying a protective, weather-resistant coating to the outside walls of a house, using sand and cement, monocouche or thin-coat silicone render, to give a smooth or textured finish that protects the masonry and improves appearance.
We arrange external rendering for homeowners in Portslade and the wider East Sussex. The job is planned, priced and managed by us and carried out by tradespeople engaged under our contract, so there is one agreement and one contact. On a typical home the work takes 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather, and guide pricing in the South East is £7,800–£18,000, VAT included.
- Guide price
- £7,800–£18,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather
- Postcodes
- BN3, BN41, BN42 and BN43
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Brighton and Hove
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does external rendering cost in Portslade?
The table below shows guide prices for external rendering in Portslade. They are based on rates in the South East, which run about 12% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £7,800–£18,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Portslade |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation or small terrace | One elevation or a small terraced house, including scaffolding and preparation. | £3,400–£7,800 |
| Typical semi-detached | All rendered walls of a 3-bed semi in monocouche or silicone, with scaffolding. | £7,800–£18,000 |
| Detached or full strip and re-render | Larger houses, or homes needing old render removed and walls repaired first. | £17,000–£33,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- Wall area to be rendered and the height of the house
- Removing old render or pebbledash and repairing the walls
- Scaffolding, access and protection of neighbouring property
- Detailing around windows, bays, sills and pipes
What do you get?
- Survey of walls, existing render, cracks and damp-proof course
- Scaffolding erected and removed, with neighbours' access agreed
- Removal of loose or failed render and pebbledash where needed
- Windows, doors and surfaces masked and protected
- Beads at corners, edges and above the damp-proof course
- Making good around pipes, vents and fixings, and a site clean-up
Building in Portslade
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.
Seafront homes face salt-laden south-westerly winds and driving rain, while Wealden clay can shrink and swell, affecting extension foundations.
If your house in Portslade fits one of these patterns, it helps us anticipate what external rendering will involve, though we always confirm the details on site.
Do you need permission in Portslade?
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Portslade 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.
What happens after you get in touch?
Free site survey
First, someone visits your home in Portslade to see the space, take measurements and note anything that could affect the work, such as access or the condition of what is there. There is no charge for this visit.
Quote in writing
After the survey we send a quote for external rendering 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.
Getting ready
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.
On site to finish
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
How we work
Common questions
How much does it cost to render a house?
Rendering a typical 3-bed semi costs £7,800–£18,000, including scaffolding and preparation. As a guide, allow around £60–£120 per square metre of wall plus fixed costs for scaffolding and set-up. Sand and cement is the lowest-cost system, while silicone thin-coat costs more but needs no painting. Removing old render or pebbledash first adds noticeably to the price. We confirm a fixed figure after the survey.
How do I look after silicone or monocouche render?
Through-coloured render needs little upkeep. Check it once a year for cracks or damage, especially around windows and pipes, and keep gutters clear so water does not run down the walls. If green algae appears on shaded walls, a specialist render cleaner applied with a soft brush or low-pressure wash removes it. Avoid high-pressure jet washing, which can damage the surface.
Do I need planning permission in Portslade?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Portslade 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 rendering take?
Rendering a typical semi-detached house takes around one to three weeks. Scaffolding goes up first, then removal of old render, repairs, beads and mesh. Base coats need time to cure before the finish coat. Weather has a big effect, because render should not be applied in rain, frost or strong heat. We give you an expected programme with the quote.
How much will external rendering cost in Portslade?
As a guide, expect to pay £7,800–£18,000 including VAT for external rendering in Portslade. 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 Portslade
Coverage for Portslade spans BN3, BN41, BN42 and BN43. Close by, Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea and Brighton are covered too, and the rest of our UK-wide area follows the same survey-then-quote process from start to finish.