- Semi-detached house, fully installed: £8,000–£25,000 depending on species and profile
- Detached house, fully installed: £12,000–£40,000+
- Materials only (supply only): £4,000–£14,000 for a semi-detached house
- Labour: £25–£60 per m² on top of materials, depending on complexity
- Scaffolding: £1,500–£3,500 extra — budget for this separately
- The species you choose makes the biggest difference to material cost — spruce is cheapest, charred timber is most expensive
Cladding a house is one of the most transformative exterior projects a UK homeowner or developer can undertake — but the total cost involves more than just the price of the timber boards. Material costs, labour, fixings, battens, scaffolding, and any additional treatments all contribute to the final figure. Understanding what drives the cost — and what you can control — is essential before committing to a specification or requesting quotes.
This guide gives you real 2026 figures for the full cost of cladding a UK house — broken down by house type, species, and specification level. It covers materials, labour, fixings, scaffolding, and the additional costs that are frequently overlooked in initial budgets. All figures are based on current UK market pricing from our experience as a specialist supplier delivering nationwide.
How Much Cladding Does a House Need?
Before looking at cost per m², it helps to understand how much cladding area a typical UK house actually has. The total cladding area determines the overall material and labour cost more than any other single factor.
| House Type | Typical Wall Area | Openings (doors/windows) | Net Cladding Area | With 15% Wastage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced house (2 bed) | ~80m² | ~15m² | ~65m² | ~75m² |
| Semi-detached (3 bed) | ~120m² | ~20m² | ~100m² | ~115m² |
| Detached house (4 bed) | ~180m² | ~30m² | ~150m² | ~173m² |
| Large detached / barn (5+ bed) | ~280m²+ | ~40m²+ | ~240m²+ | ~276m²+ |
| House extension (single storey) | ~30–50m² | ~5–10m² | ~25–40m² | ~30–46m² |
These are approximate figures for a full re-clad or new build. If you are only cladding specific elevations rather than the whole house, calculate the net wall area of those elevations and add 15% for cuts and wastage. For a precise quantity estimate for your project, contact our team with your dimensions and we will calculate the exact material requirement.
Material Cost by Species — What Does the Timber Cost?
Siberian larch cladding on a completed UK residential project — one of the most widely specified natural timber cladding options and a strong mid-range choice on cost.
Timber species is the biggest variable in material cost. Here is a clear breakdown of what each species costs per m² in 2026, based on current UK supply pricing:
| Species | Cost per m² (materials) | Expected Lifespan | Maintenance Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic spruce | £20–£40 | 10–20 years | High | Budget builds, outbuildings, painted finishes |
| Siberian larch | £35–£70 | 20–35 years | Low–medium | Residential, commercial, most UK projects |
| Douglas fir | £40–£75 | 20–30 years | Low–medium | Contemporary projects, rainscreen systems |
| ThermoWood | £55–£95 | 25–40 years | Low | Low-maintenance, shadow gap, commercial |
| Charred timber (Shou Sugi Ban) | £75–£130 | 25–40 years | Very low | Contemporary design, barn conversions, extensions |
| Fire rated (factory treated) | +10–20% on base species cost | As per species | As per species | Buildings over 11m, schools, near-boundary walls |
Nordic spruce at £20–£40 per m² looks cheap — but it requires regular treatment and may need replacing within 15 years. ThermoWood at £55–£95 per m² costs more upfront but lasts 25–40 years with minimal maintenance. Over a 30-year period, ThermoWood often costs less in total than untreated softwood when maintenance and replacement are factored in. For a full guide to what ongoing maintenance each species needs, see our timber cladding maintenance guide. For a full species cost comparison see our timber cladding cost per m² guide.
Total Material Cost by House Type and Species
Combining the cladding area figures with material costs per m² gives a clear picture of what timber alone will cost for different house types and species choices:
| House Type | Nordic Spruce | Siberian Larch | ThermoWood | Charred Timber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terraced (75m²) | £1,500–£3,000 | £2,625–£5,250 | £4,125–£7,125 | £5,625–£9,750 |
| Semi-detached (115m²) | £2,300–£4,600 | £4,025–£8,050 | £6,325–£10,925 | £8,625–£14,950 |
| Detached (173m²) | £3,460–£6,920 | £6,055–£12,110 | £9,515–£16,435 | £12,975–£22,490 |
| Large detached (276m²) | £5,520–£11,040 | £9,660–£19,320 | £15,180–£26,220 | £20,700–£35,880 |
These figures cover cladding boards only. Battens, fixings, membranes, and any additional treatments are separate costs — covered in the section below.
Additional Material Costs — What Else Do You Need?
A completed timber clad house — the total cost includes battens, fixings, membrane, and installation labour in addition to the cladding boards themselves.
Cladding boards are the largest single material cost, but several additional items are required for a complete and correctly detailed installation:
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timber battens | £3–£8 per m² | Vertical counter-battens and horizontal fixing battens. Minimum 25mm cavity required. |
| Stainless steel fixings | £2–£6 per m² | A4 stainless steel screws or hidden fixing clips. Standard steel fixings will rust and stain the timber. |
| Breather membrane | £2–£5 per m² | Required behind the batten framework on most new build and retrofit installations. |
| Corner trims / reveals | £15–£40 per linear metre | External corner posts, window and door reveal boards. Often overlooked in initial estimates. |
| Wood oil / preservative | £150–£400 per house | If site-finishing rather than using factory-coated boards. Optional for ThermoWood and larch. |
| Factory coatings (optional) | +£8–£20 per m² | Pre-finished boards save significant on-site time. See our factory coatings service. |
As a rough rule, allow an additional £10–£20 per m² on top of the cladding board cost to cover battens, fixings, and membrane for a standard installation.
Labour Costs — How Much Does Installation Cost?
Labour is typically the second largest cost after materials, and it varies significantly depending on project complexity, location, and the contractor you use. Here is a realistic guide to UK installation rates in 2026:
| Installation Type | Cost per m² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple horizontal shiplap or feather edge | £25–£35 per m² | Straightforward profile, minimal detailing complexity |
| Shadow gap or tongue and groove | £30–£45 per m² | Requires more careful alignment — slightly slower to install |
| Rainscreen / open joint system | £35–£55 per m² | Hidden fixings, cavity barriers, more complex detailing |
| Complex facades (multiple elevations, reveals) | £45–£60 per m² | Lots of corner details, window reveals, bespoke junctions |
| London / South East premium | +20–30% | Higher labour rates across all installation types |
If you want to combine supply and installation in a single contract, our supply and install service covers both — with qualified carpenters ensuring correct installation to the highest standards.
Scaffolding and Other Costs to Budget For
Scaffolding is one of the most commonly missed costs in cladding project budgets. It is required for any work above ground floor level, and cannot be shared with other trades once cladding installation is underway. Always get a scaffolding quote before finalising your overall budget.
| Additional Cost Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scaffolding | £1,500–£3,500 | For a typical semi-detached house. Larger or more complex buildings cost more. Allow 4–6 weeks on hire. |
| Wall preparation | £500–£2,000 | If removing existing cladding or render, or repairing the substrate before installation. |
| Planning application | £206 (England) | Only required if cladding a listed building or property in a conservation area. Permitted development for most standard houses. See our timber cladding building regulations guide for full details. |
| Building Control | £200–£600 | Required if fire rated cladding is specified or if the work forms part of a larger regulated project. |
| Architect / designer fees | £500–£3,000+ | If using a designer to specify and detail the cladding system. Our cladding detail design service provides technical detailing at competitive rates. |
Budget, Mid-Range, and Premium — What Do You Get at Each Level?
These all-in figures include materials, battens, fixings, membrane, and labour. They exclude scaffolding, wall preparation, and any fire treatment premium. All figures are based on UK national averages — London and South East projects should add 20–30%.
How much does it cost to clad a house in the UK?
The total cost to clad a typical UK semi-detached house ranges from £8,000 to £25,000 fully installed, depending on the size of the house, the timber species chosen, the profile, and whether fire treatment or factory coatings are specified. Materials alone typically cost £4,000 to £14,000 for a semi-detached house. A detached house typically costs £12,000 to £40,000 fully installed. These figures cover timber cladding, battens, fixings, and labour but exclude scaffolding, membranes, and any structural preparation work.
What is the cheapest timber cladding for a house in the UK?
Nordic spruce and treated softwood are the most affordable timber cladding options in the UK, typically costing £20–£40 per m² for materials. Siberian larch is the next step up at £35–£70 per m², offering significantly better natural durability. ThermoWood costs £55–£95 per m² but requires less maintenance over its lifespan. The cheapest option is not always the lowest long-term cost — maintenance and replacement intervals matter as much as the initial price.
How much does it cost to install timber cladding per m² in the UK?
Labour costs for installing timber cladding in the UK typically range from £25–£60 per m² depending on the complexity of the installation, the profile used, and the location. Simple horizontal shiplap or feather edge on a straightforward elevation is at the lower end. Shadow gap, rainscreen, and profiles requiring careful joint alignment are at the higher end. London and South East projects typically attract a premium of 20–30% on labour rates.
Do I need scaffolding to clad a house?
Yes — for any cladding work above ground floor level, scaffolding is required for safe access. Scaffolding for a typical semi-detached house typically costs £1,500–£3,500 depending on the height of the building and how long it needs to remain in place. Scaffolding is not usually included in cladding installation quotes and should be budgeted separately.
How long does it take to clad a house with timber?
A typical semi-detached house can be clad in 5–10 working days by an experienced team, depending on the size of the elevation areas and the complexity of detailing. Larger detached houses may take 2–4 weeks. Material delivery lead time is typically 7–14 days from order, so total project programme from order to completion is usually 3–6 weeks.
Get an Accurate Quote for Your Project
Send us your house dimensions, preferred species, and profile and we will calculate the exact material quantity and cost for your project. FSC and PEFC certified timber cladding, nationwide delivery in 7–14 days. Supply only or supply and install available.