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.
Cost is usually the first question about external rendering, so here is the guide for the West Midlands: £6,900–£15,500 including VAT. We cover the whole of Shropshire, with Telford, Shrewsbury, Wellington and Oswestry 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
- £6,900–£15,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
External rendering prices in Shropshire
Below is a breakdown of typical costs for external rendering in Shropshire. Because rates in the West Midlands are about 2% below the national guide, the overall guide comes to £6,900–£15,500, including VAT. Size, materials and access move the figure, and a free-of-charge survey settles it.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Shropshire |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation or small terrace | One elevation or a small terraced house, including scaffolding and preparation. | £2,900–£6,900 |
| Typical semi-detached | All rendered walls of a 3-bed semi in monocouche or silicone, with scaffolding. | £6,900–£15,500 |
| Detached or full strip and re-render | Larger houses, or homes needing old render removed and walls repaired first. | £14,500–£29,500 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Wall area to be rendered and the height of the house
- Render system: sand and cement, monocouche or silicone
- Scaffolding, access and protection of neighbouring property
- Detailing around windows, bays, sills and pipes
What’s included?
- 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
- Beads at corners, edges and above the damp-proof course
- Finish coat in your chosen colour and texture
- Making good around pipes, vents and fixings, and a site clean-up
Homes in Shropshire
Shrewsbury and Ludlow are known for black-and-white timber-framed buildings alongside Georgian brick, and red sandstone is common in the north of the county. Telford was built as a new town from the late 1960s with large planned estates, and market towns such as Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Whitchurch mix historic centres with interwar and newer housing.
Timber-framed and stone buildings often need lime plaster, breathable finishes and roof repairs. Telford homes commonly suit extensions, window replacement and roofline or cladding renewal.
The Severn floods regularly in Shrewsbury and downstream, and the hills along the Welsh border are exposed to wind and heavier rain.
Planning and building rules in Shropshire
Which rules apply depends on where you live. For Shropshire, the answer is England, and the points below reflect that; we verify them with the council before quoting.
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
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 external rendering, and photograph or measure anything the quote needs to reflect.
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.
Plan and prepare
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.
The work itself
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.
What you can expect from us
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Can you combine external rendering with other work?
Yes. Because we manage several trades under one contract, we can plan external rendering alongside other work on your Shropshire home, such as new windows with rendering, or a kitchen refit with an extension. Combining jobs can reduce repeat set-up such as scaffolding, skips and access, and every element is listed and priced in the same written quote.
Is the price fixed?
Yes, for the specification we agree. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included at a fixed price. It only changes if you ask for something different, or if a problem the survey could not reasonably reveal later needs extra work. In either case we explain the change and confirm it in writing before going ahead.
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.
Towns in Shropshire
Find your town below. Every place listed in Shropshire is covered for external rendering, with the same survey, written quote and fixed-price process.