Ely Roofers fits and replaces exterior cladding for homeowners and commercial clients in Histon, and we know that cost is one of the first things people need to understand before they decide what to do.
Ask three different properties their exterior cladding cost and you will get three very different answers. That is not because contractors are making up prices - it is because the variables that determine cost are genuinely significant. The material chosen, the size and height of the elevation, the condition of the existing wall, the access required, and the level of detailing at windows and corners all push the final figure up or down considerably.
We work on cladding projects across Histon and the surrounding area, including properties in Ely and other nearby towns. This page sets out the main cost factors honestly so you know what questions to ask and what to look for when comparing prices.
Exterior cladding on a UK residential property typically costs between £80 and £200 per square metre for supply and installation, depending on the material and complexity. That range is wide because the cheapest systems (basic treated softwood boarding) and the most expensive (through-colour render over external wall insulation, or fibre cement panels on a complex elevation) are both included in it.
To put that in practical terms: a single-storey rear extension with around 30 square metres of wall to clad in composite boarding might cost in the region of £3,000 to £5,000 installed. A full re-clad of a two-storey semi-detached house across two or three elevations - say 80 to 100 square metres - in fibre cement could reach £9,000 to £16,000 once scaffold and all associated work is included. Render systems with external wall insulation sit at the higher end, often £120 to £220 per square metre installed, because of the multiple layers and skilled application involved.
These are guide figures for planning purposes. An accurate price for any specific building requires a survey and a written quotation.
The cladding material is the single biggest driver of cost. Here is a rough hierarchy from lowest to highest material cost per square metre:
Larger elevations cost more in absolute terms, but the cost per square metre often falls slightly as the job gets bigger because fixed costs (scaffold setup, site mobilisation, waste disposal) are spread over more area. Height has a significant effect because it determines the type of access required. A ground-floor extension can often be done from a tower scaffold or even a step ladder for minor work. A full two-storey elevation requires a full tube-and-fitting or system scaffold, which adds cost to both erection and the hire period during installation.
Where a property has complex roof lines, large numbers of window openings, or projecting bay windows, the cost per square metre goes up because the detailing work around each junction takes more time than running boards across a plain flat wall.
A building with sound masonry, intact battens, and a good breather membrane is cheaper to re-clad than one where strip-out reveals rotten timber, saturated insulation, or a wall that has moved and is no longer plumb. Remedial work to the substrate before new cladding can be fitted adds both material and labour cost.
This is why a survey matters before any price is agreed. A contractor who quotes without looking at the wall properly is either guessing or intending to add variation costs once the job starts. Either outcome is worse for you than a thorough survey at the outset.
Not all cladding quotations cover the same scope. When comparing prices, check what each quotation actually includes:
A quotation that excludes scaffold and disposal can look significantly cheaper than one that includes everything, until you add those items back in. Always ask for a breakdown so you can compare like for like.
A property with open ground on all sides is straightforward to scaffold. A terraced house where one elevation faces a shared alley, or a property with restricted access for scaffold lorries, takes more time and cost to set up safely. Similarly, working over a conservatory or ground-floor extension that protrudes from the main wall requires additional scaffold support and takes longer to erect.
On commercial properties, working outside business hours to minimise disruption, or managing around car parking and customer access, adds to the programme and sometimes to the cost. These are legitimate considerations, not inflated pricing.
Most exterior cladding work on a standard house falls within permitted development and does not require planning permission. However, if the property is in a conservation area, is a listed building, or if the proposed material changes the character of the elevation significantly, planning consent may be required before work can start. If planning is needed, there is a fee to the local authority and a lead time to factor in, both of which affect the overall cost and programme.
It is always worth checking the planning position before specifying a material, particularly if you are considering something that looks quite different from the existing finish or from neighbouring properties.
The only way to get a price that reflects your actual building is to have it surveyed properly. A surveyed, itemised quotation that sets out exactly what is included - material, access, preparation, installation, and clearance - is the only basis on which you can make an informed decision or compare contractors fairly.
Be cautious of any price given over the phone without a site visit, or any quotation that does not specify what it includes. Low headline prices that do not cover scaffold, strip-out or disposal are a common source of disputes on cladding jobs.
If you want to understand what exterior cladding is likely to cost for your specific property in Histon, call Ely Roofers to arrange a proper survey. We'll look at the building, discuss the material options that suit your budget and requirements, and give you a clear, itemised price based on what we actually find.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
