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 West Midlands, from Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Dudley 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 West Midlands is in England, we work to the planning system and building standards used there, and guide prices for the West Midlands run at £6,900–£15,500 including VAT.
- 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
- 24
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does external rendering cost in West Midlands?
In West Midlands, guide figures for external rendering sit at £6,900–£15,500, VAT included. We set them using rates for the West Midlands, currently about 2% below 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 West Midlands |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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
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
- Mesh reinforcement and base coats to suit the chosen system
- Making good around pipes, vents and fixings, and a site clean-up
Housing across West Midlands
Red-brick Victorian and Edwardian terraces are common in the inner areas of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and the Black Country, ringed by large swathes of 1930s semis with bay windows and hipped roofs. You'll also find post-war council estates, some system-built blocks, Coventry's rebuilt centre and larger detached homes in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.
1930s semis often suit side and rear extensions, hip-to-gable loft conversions and garage conversions. Victorian terraces tend to need repointing, roof work and replacement windows, and many have room for a side-return extension.
An inland climate with regular winter frosts means freeze-thaw damage to soft brick and old mortar is a common reason for repointing and render repairs.
Planning and building rules in West Midlands
The notes below cover England, which is where West Midlands sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
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?
A visit to your home
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.
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
During the work we protect the areas around it and tidy up at the end of each day. Once complete, we check the finish, remove our materials and hand over paperwork such as building control sign-off where it applies.
How we work
Questions about external rendering in West Midlands
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 in West Midlands?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. West Midlands 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 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.
What time of year should rendering be done?
Render needs mild, dry conditions to cure properly, so spring to early autumn is ideal. Most render systems should not be applied when frost is likely, in heavy rain or in strong direct sun, which can dry it too quickly and cause cracking. We plan the programme around the forecast and may pause work if the weather turns, which protects the finish.
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.
Towns in West Midlands
Below is our list of West Midlands towns for external rendering. If yours isn't shown, we may still cover it, so it is worth asking us directly.