How Much Does It Cost To Render a House?

Guide to House Rendering Costs in Australia: Types, Benefits, and Price Breakdown

Rendering a house involves applying a protective and decorative layer to its exterior walls. This process improves longevity, weather resistance, and appearance. Numerous render options are provided, including various textures and finishes.

Cement, acrylic, or polymer are common choices for house rendering. Additionally, you have coloured or flexible silicone-based renderings that require little upkeep. It hides flaws, giving the surface a uniform, smooth finish and enhancing the overall appeal and value. In addition to waterproofing and insulating your property, a render conceals any exposed brickwork to give the appearance of a more finished home.

The cost of rendering a standard home is approximately $12,000 for a one-storey residence and $50,000 for a two-storey building. To know more about house rendering costs, read this cost guide.

Common Types Of Rendering Mixtures

• Cement render: Prepare a mixture of cement, sand, and occasionally lime. Cement render, well-known for its affordability and longevity, offers a robust and stable external wall foundation.


• Acrylic render: Acrylic polymers are added to the cement render mixture to provide improved flexibility, resistance to cracking, and water repellency. It often comes pre-coloured, which reduces the need for additional painting and gives it a more contemporary appearance.


• Polymer render: Polymer render is an advanced option of cement render for enhanced strength, flexibility, and superior water resistance. This render is particularly suitable for spaces with regular moisture or severe weather since it provides a high degree of protection without sacrificing an aesthetically pleasing exterior.


• Bagging render: A textured finish is applied to exterior walls, combining cement and sand for a rustic, uneven appearance. It's a cost-effective method to refresh brickwork, providing both aesthetic appeal and added weather resistance. Perfect for achieving a natural, earthy look.


• Lime rendering: It is a traditional method that offers excellent breathability, and is ideal for older or heritage properties. It's known for its natural finish and flexibility, which helps prevent cracking. Although it requires more maintenance than modern renders, it’s valued for its historical authenticity and eco-friendliness.


• Silicone rendering: It is a modern, flexible render that provides superior weather resistance and breathability. It’s particularly effective in protecting homes from harsh weather conditions while minimising the risk of cracks. Silicone renders are also self-cleaning, meaning they require less maintenance, keeping your home's exterior looking fresh for longer.

The choice of rendering combinations is contingent upon various criteria, including the intended finish, financial constraints, and particular environmental factors for every project.

Benefits Of Rendered Houses

A well-rendered house has several advantages beyond just being aesthetically pleasing. This includes:

• Shields your house from the bad weather's effects


• Improves the building's energy efficiency


• Helps in temperature maintenance


• Reduces energy costs


• Stops drafts


• Reduces the need for maintenance


• Update a new style at low costs


• Optimises curb appeal

How Much Does Rendering A House Cost?

Typically, house rendering charges in square meters. The cost of rendering a standard home is approximately $12,000 for a one-storey residence and $50,000 for a two-storey building.

Rendering can cost as little as $15 per square meter in certain situations, but the average cost for a cement render is between $30 and $50 per m2. Usually, this is a significantly reduced price.

The cost per m2 of acrylic render ranges from $30 to $80. Although it costs a little more than cement rendering, it lasts longer. Rendering expenses can vary depending on the size of the house.

The expert estimates that rendering will cost between $30 and $50 per square meter, with labour being the biggest expense. The less expensive option is cement rendering; acrylic rendering is more expensive.

You can get free rendering quotes from local experts to know prices for a specific project. You'll also have more luck if you ask friends or the owners of a beautifully rendered property for recommendations and prices.

Additional Costs With House Rendering

• Finishing Options: After rendering, additional finishing techniques like painting or texturing can enhance the appearance and durability of the surface. Adding a coat of paint over the render can cost between $10 - $20 per square meter. This provides colour, and protection, and can extend the life of the render. Textured finishes, such as smooth, roughcast, or pebbledash, can vary in cost. These may add $15 - $30 per square meter.


• Insulation Integration: Homeowners may see energy savings of 20% - 30% on annual utility bills. Insulation into the rendering process, known as External Wall Insulation (EWI), significantly improves a home’s energy efficiency. The additional cost for insulation integrated with rendering can range from $80 - $150 per square meter, depending on the insulation material and thickness.


• Touch-Ups Over Time: Small cracks or damage to the render can occur, especially in areas prone to weather extremes. Minor repairs cost $100 - $300 depending on the extent of the damage. In cases where significant sections need to be re-rendered, costs could range from $50 - $80 per square meter.


• Permits and Regulations: Depending on your location and the scope of the rendering project, you may need to obtain permits. Permit fees can range from $100 - $500 depending on local council requirements and the project. Ensuring the rendering project meets local building codes might involve additional inspections or paperwork, with potential costs of $200 - $1,000 depending on complexity.

Factors Influencing House Rendering Costs

The cost of rendering a house is influenced by many factors that collectively contribute to the overall expense. Understanding these factors is crucial for homeowners seeking rendering ventures. Here are key points to consider:

• Type of Rendering Material: The cost of various rendering materials varies. Polymer, cement, or acrylic, each render material has special qualities and costs. Although acrylic and polymer renders are more expensive, they provide further advantages such as flexibility and water resistance. Cement rendering is typically less costly.


• Surface Preparation: The condition of the existing walls plays a role in cost determination. Basic cleaning and bonding agent application could be enough for well-maintained walls, but substantial repairs or waterproofing can raise the overall expense.


• Architectural Complexity: The architectural layout can impact labour and resources. More time, money and skill are needed for rendering jobs with intricate designs, multiple corners, or decorative elements.


• Size of the Property: The cost of rendering is closely correlated with the size of the property. Larger homes cost more because they require more labour and supplies. In addition, because of the requirement for specialised equipment and safety measures, the building's height can affect expenses.


• Professional Labour Costs: Skilled labour is essential for a successful rendering project. The complexity of the work, the workers' experience levels, and the job's location all affect labour expenses. Hiring seasoned experts guarantees a superior result, but may increase project expenses overall.


• Location and Accessibility: Costs may be impacted by the property's location, particularly if it is far away or difficult to get to. Additional costs are incurred for these sites. In the same way, impediments surrounding the land may make setup more difficult and expensive.


• Choice of Finish: The cost is influenced by the desired finish. Simple finishes need one coat, but textured or decorative finishes require more layers and detailing, raising the service cost.

Is Plastering And Rendering The Same Thing?

Plastering and rendering have the same general effect of covering a brick wall with a smooth surface; the only difference between them is where the work is carried out and the material used.

Interior wall and ceiling work are plastering. The plaster is typically a mixture of gypsum, lime, or cement and water, to create a smooth, even surface that can be painted or decorated. This is a prime option for indoors.

A home's exterior wall resurfacing is referred to as rendering. The render is a thicker mixture of cement, sand, lime, and water, applied to the outside of buildings to provide a durable and weather-resistant surface.

Conclusion

The cost of rendering a house depends on several variables, including size, finish, and material quality. It provides long-term advantages like improved aesthetics, weather protection, and greater property value, all at a lower initial cost.

Before beginning, homeowners should evaluate their goals, priorities, and money. Professional rendering contractors can provide precise cost estimates to individual requirements, making it easier to transform a property into a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing masterpiece without going over budget.