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.
For a homeowner in Catford, planning external rendering tends to begin with two questions: what will it cost, and how disruptive will it be? Our guide range is £9,100–£21,000 including VAT, and a typical job runs to 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather. Both numbers firm up once we have seen the property, measured up and agreed exactly what is included.
- Guide price
- £9,100–£21,000 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather
- Postcodes
- SE4, SE6, SE12, SE13 and SE23
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Greater London
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does external rendering cost in Catford?
The table below shows guide prices for external rendering in Catford. They are based on rates in London, which run about 30% above the national guide, giving an overall range of £9,100–£21,000. All figures include VAT and are firmed up after a free site survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Catford |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation or small terrace | One elevation or a small terraced house, including scaffolding and preparation. | £3,900–£9,100 |
| Typical semi-detached | All rendered walls of a 3-bed semi in monocouche or silicone, with scaffolding. | £9,100–£21,000 |
| Detached or full strip and re-render | Larger houses, or homes needing old render removed and walls repaired first. | £19,500–£39,000 |
Expect these to shape the final quote:
- Wall area to be rendered and the height of the house
- Render system: sand and cement, monocouche or silicone
- Removing old render or pebbledash and repairing the walls
- Scaffolding, access and protection of neighbouring property
Scope of the work
- Survey of walls, existing render, cracks and damp-proof course
- Removal of loose or failed render and pebbledash where needed
- Windows, doors and surfaces masked and protected
- Mesh reinforcement and base coats to suit the chosen system
- Finish coat in your chosen colour and texture
- Making good around pipes, vents and fixings, and a site clean-up
What are homes like around Catford?
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.
None of this holds for every street in Catford, which is why we look at your actual house before pricing external rendering rather than assuming from its age alone.
Do you need permission in Catford?
Because Catford falls under England's rules, the guidance below is the version relevant to you. Before sending a price, we check your property's position with the council.
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.
How does the job run?
Free site survey
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 external rendering so the price reflects your home.
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 external rendering.
Dates and permissions
Preparation matters as much as the build. We agree access, parking and working hours with you, order materials in good time, and confirm any permissions so the job isn't held up once it starts.
Finish and handover
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
Why homeowners choose us
Common questions
Which render system should I choose?
The right render depends on your walls and how much upkeep you want. Sand and cement is the lowest-cost option but needs repainting every few years. Monocouche is coloured through, so it needs no painting, and suits block and brick walls. Silicone thin-coat is flexible, water-repellent and stays cleaner, but costs more. Lime render suits older solid walls. We recommend a system after inspecting your walls.
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.
Do you cover Blackheath, Greenwich and Beckenham?
Yes. As well as Catford, we cover Blackheath, Greenwich and Beckenham and the rest of London. 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.
Can you render over pebbledash or old render?
Rendering over existing pebbledash or render is sometimes possible if it is firmly bonded, but if it sounds hollow, is cracked or is coming away, it must be removed first. Covering failing render simply hides the problem until the new coat fails too. We tap-test the walls and explain whether removal is needed. Removal adds time and cost but gives a sound base.
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 external rendering, explain the options and answer questions. There is no charge and no obligation; afterwards we send a written quote.
Nearby towns
We cover every part of Catford, including SE4, SE6, SE12 and SE13, and nearby Blackheath, Greenwich and Beckenham. Wherever you are within that patch, the survey is free and the quote comes to you in writing.