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 offer external rendering throughout South Glamorgan, from Cardiff, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major to the smaller places in between. Each project starts with a free survey at your home and ends with a written figure, fixed for the work you choose. Because South Glamorgan is in Wales, we work to the planning system and building standards used there, and guide prices for Wales run at £6,400–£14,500 including VAT.
- Guide price
- £6,400–£14,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 1–3 weeks on site, depending on weather
- Planning rules
- Wales
- Price level
- About 8% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does external rendering cost in South Glamorgan?
Every figure below is a guide for external rendering in South Glamorgan, inclusive of VAT. Regional pricing for Wales works out about 8% below the national guide, and the overall span is £6,400–£14,500. The survey costs you nothing, and after it we commit to a firm price for your specification in writing.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in South Glamorgan |
|---|---|---|
| Front elevation or small terrace | One elevation or a small terraced house, including scaffolding and preparation. | £2,800–£6,400 |
| Typical semi-detached | All rendered walls of a 3-bed semi in monocouche or silicone, with scaffolding. | £6,400–£14,500 |
| Detached or full strip and re-render | Larger houses, or homes needing old render removed and walls repaired first. | £14,000–£27,500 |
Your price depends mostly on:
- 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
Scope of the work
- 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
- Mesh reinforcement and base coats to suit the chosen system
- Finish coat in your chosen colour and texture
Housing across South Glamorgan
Cardiff has large areas of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces in districts such as Roath, Canton and Cathays, plus interwar suburbs, post-war estates and modern flats around Cardiff Bay. Penarth has Victorian villas, Barry mixes terraces with newer estates, and Vale of Glamorgan villages are often built of local limestone.
Terraces commonly suit loft conversions, side-return and rear extensions, and bay window renewal. Suburban semis take side extensions and driveways, and stone village homes need lime-based repairs.
Mild but wet, with coastal exposure along the Severn estuary and Bristol Channel affecting render, roofline and windows.
Planning and building rules in South Glamorgan
As South Glamorgan is in Wales, read the following with that system of planning and building control in mind. We check what applies to your house with the council before you receive a quote.
In Wales, rendering or cladding may need planning permission in conservation areas, and listed buildings need consent.
Building Regulations in Wales can require insulation upgrades when a large part of an external wall is renovated.
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?
Survey and measure
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.
Your fixed price
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.
Booking the work
With the quote agreed, we book the work in and handle preparation: permissions where needed, building control notifications, material orders and access arrangements for your South Glamorgan property.
Build and hand over
The job proceeds in the order set out in the programme, with dust and debris kept under control. Finally we tidy away, inspect the work together and pass the finished project over to you with its paperwork.
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.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
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 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.
Do you cover Cardiff, Barry and Penarth?
Yes. As well as South Glamorgan, we cover Cardiff, Barry and Penarth and the rest of South Glamorgan. 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.
Towns in South Glamorgan
Our coverage for external rendering in South Glamorgan includes the towns listed here. Each page explains guide costs, typical timings and the neighbouring places we also serve.