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 South West: £7,100–£16,500 including VAT. We cover the whole of Somerset, with Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Yeovil 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
- £7,100–£16,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 2% above the national guide
- Towns listed
- 11
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does external rendering cost in Somerset?
In Somerset, guide figures for external rendering sit at £7,100–£16,500, VAT included. We set them using rates for the South West, currently about 2% above the national guide. The table shows what pushes a project towards either end of the range; your own price is set after a free survey.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Somerset |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation or small terrace | One elevation or a small terraced house, including scaffolding and preparation. | £3,100–£7,100 |
| Typical semi-detached | All rendered walls of a 3-bed semi in monocouche or silicone, with scaffolding. | £7,100–£16,500 |
| Detached or full strip and re-render | Larger houses, or homes needing old render removed and walls repaired first. | £15,500–£30,500 |
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
- Removing old render or pebbledash and repairing the walls
- Detailing around windows, bays, sills and pipes
Scope of the work
- 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
- Finish coat in your chosen colour and texture
- Making good around pipes, vents and fixings, and a site clean-up
Housing across Somerset
Somerset's building stone varies widely: Bath stone in Bath, golden Ham stone around Yeovil, blue lias in villages on the Levels and Mendip stone in the north. Weston-super-Mare has Victorian villas and terraces, Taunton and Bridgwater have brick terraces and post-war estates, and new housing continues to spread around the larger towns.
Stone properties often need lime pointing, stone repairs and windows that respect conservation areas, especially in Bath. Brick terraces suit loft rooms and extensions, and estate homes commonly take garage conversions.
The Somerset Levels are low and prone to flooding, coastal areas face Bristol Channel winds, and Exmoor is wet and exposed.
Do you need permission in Somerset?
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. Somerset 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.
From survey to handover
Survey and measure
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.
Quote in writing
Next you receive a written quote with a fixed price for the agreed specification. It lists what is included, what is not, and how payments are staged, so you can compare it properly.
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.
Finish and handover
The work is carried out to the agreed specification, with floors and furniture protected and the site kept tidy. At the end we clean up, walk through the finished job with you and hand over any certificates.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Do you cover Bath, Weston-super-Mare and Taunton?
Yes. As well as Somerset, we cover Bath, Weston-super-Mare and Taunton and the rest of Somerset. 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.
Do I need planning permission to render my house?
Whether rendering needs planning permission depends on how it changes the appearance, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. Rendering over brick may need permission in some places, while replacing existing render like for like often does not. Listed buildings need consent. We check the position before quoting.
Towns in Somerset
These are the towns in Somerset where you can book a free survey for external rendering. Each has its own page with guide prices and coverage details.