- Labour rate per m²: £20–£45/m² depending on location and complexity. London/South East add 25–35%.
- Day rate for a 2-person team: £350–£750 per day outside London. £450–£950 per day in London and South East.
- Output per day: 15–25m² on straightforward elevations. 8–15m² on complex elevations with many openings.
- Scaffolding: £600–£1,200 for a single extension elevation. £2,000–£5,000 for a full house. Always budget separately.
- Stripping old cladding: £8–£15 per m² additional if removing existing boards first.
- Hidden fix premium: Add 10–20% to labour for secret-fix systems vs face-fix — slower to install per board.
- Total installed (materials + labour): £48–£177 per m² depending on species — see our full cost per m² guide for the complete breakdown.
The installation cost of timber cladding is one of the elements most commonly underestimated in project budgets — and the one most variable between quotes. A contractor pricing a straightforward garden room cladding job and a contractor pricing a complex multi-elevation house re-clad will both quote per m², but the numbers can differ by a factor of two for the same species on the same elevation. Understanding what drives the installation cost — and what questions to ask when getting quotes — is the difference between an accurate budget and an unpleasant surprise. This guide covers all of it: labour rates, day rates, output rates, scaffolding, regional variation, what makes a job complex, and how to compare quotes accurately.
Timber Cladding Labour Rates UK 2026 — Per m² and Per Day
Timber cladding installation is priced two ways by contractors. For full material costs alongside these labour figures, see our ThermoWood cladding cost guide, Siberian larch cost guide, and charred timber cost guide — per m² of installed cladding, or as a day rate for the team. Both approaches produce comparable costs on most jobs; the difference is primarily about risk allocation. Fixed per-m² rates are common on straightforward jobs where the contractor can accurately predict output. Day rates are more common on complex projects where output is harder to predict and the contractor does not want to absorb scope variation risk.
Labour rates per m² — 2026
| Region | Simple elevation/m² | Complex elevation/m² | Hidden fix premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £28–£45 | £38–£60 | +10–20% |
| South East | £25–£40 | £32–£55 | +10–20% |
| Midlands / East Anglia | £20–£32 | £27–£45 | +10–20% |
| South West | £22–£35 | £28–£48 | +10–20% |
| North of England | £18–£28 | £24–£40 | +10–20% |
| Scotland / Wales | £18–£30 | £24–£42 | +10–20% |
Team day rates — 2026
| Region | 2-person team day rate | Single installer day rate | Output/day (simple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £500–£950 | £280–£480 | 15–22m² |
| South East | £450–£800 | £240–£420 | 15–25m² |
| Midlands / East Anglia | £350–£620 | £190–£330 | 18–28m² |
| North of England | £300–£550 | £170–£290 | 18–28m² |
| Scotland / Wales | £300–£580 | £170–£300 | 18–28m² |
Day rates above are for experienced cladding installers — not general labourers or handymen. For a full guide to cladding specifications for garden buildings see our best cladding for garden rooms guide. Timber cladding installation requires knowledge of ventilated cavity construction, fixings specification, weatherproofing at junctions, and detailing at reveals and corners. A lower day rate from a less experienced installer often produces a more expensive outcome in remedial work.
What Labour Costs Should Include — and What They Often Don't
When comparing quotes, the most important question is what is — and is not — included in the per-m² or day rate. Installation labour for timber cladding should include:
- Setting out and marking: Checking the frame for square and level, marking out board lines and fixing positions before installation begins
- Breather membrane fixing: Fixing the vapour-permeable breather membrane to the external frame — an essential component of all exterior timber cladding systems and not a separate trade item
- Counter batten installation: Fixing 25x38mm treated counter battens to create the ventilated cavity. This is structural work that requires the correct fixing centres and batten specifications
- Board installation: Cutting and fixing all boards, including around openings, at corners, and at head and sill junctions
- End grain sealing: Sealing all cut board ends on site — an important step that the installer should be responsible for, not the site labourer
- Corner and junction detailing: Fitting corner posts, head flashings, window reveals, and sill trims
- First-fix inspection and snag clearance: Walking the completed elevation to identify and address any obvious defects before scaffold strike
Labour costs often do not include: scaffolding; materials (boards, membrane, battens, fixings); removal of existing cladding; structural repairs to the frame behind the cladding; or application of preservative treatment or oil after installation.
No mention of breather membrane: Cladding installed directly to the frame without a membrane and ventilated cavity will fail within 5–10 years regardless of species. If a quote does not mention membrane and battens, ask explicitly. Galvanised fixings included: A quote specifying galvanised nails or screws is a quality indicator — A4 stainless is the only correct fixing for exterior timber cladding. VAT exclusion: Some quotes are ex-VAT, others inclusive. Always confirm before comparing. Day rate with no output guarantee: Day rate quotes with no indication of expected output per day can escalate significantly on complex projects.
What Makes Cladding Installation More Expensive?
The per-m² rate for installing cladding on a complex elevation can be 50–100% higher than on a simple one. The main complexity drivers are:
Number of openings
Every window and door requires precise cutting to width on both sides, a head junction, a sill junction, and often a visible reveal detail. A simple shed wall with no openings can be installed at 25–30m² per day. A house elevation with four windows and a door might produce 10–12m² per day — the same area takes more than twice as long. When quoting, count the openings and ask the contractor how they factor these into their rate.
External corners and junctions
Each external corner requires either a mitred joint (precise and time-consuming) or a corner post (faster but visible). Internal corners, junctions with render or brick, and eaves details all require additional time. A simple gable end with one corner and no openings is significantly faster than an elevation with multiple plane changes.
Profile complexity
Shadow gap cladding — particularly triple shadow gap profiles — requires greater precision in setting out and fixing to maintain consistent shadow gap reveals. Rainscreen open-joint systems require precise batten layout and fixing alignment. Shiplap and feather edge are more forgiving. Allow 15–20% more labour time for shadow gap profiles versus shiplap on equivalent elevations.
Hidden fix systems
TIGA facade clips, Brofix, and other hidden fixing systems take longer per board than face-fix — each board requires a clip to be positioned and fixed at every batten before the next board is offered up. The result (no visible fixings) justifies the premium on contemporary projects, but the installation rate is approximately 20–30% lower per m² than face-fix on the same elevation.
Height and access
Working at height reduces output. A single-storey elevation at 2.5–3m from a hop-up or low scaffold is fast. A two-storey elevation at 5–7m from a full scaffold tower is significantly slower — moving materials, tools, and waste up and down the scaffold consumes a material proportion of the working day.
Removal of existing cladding
If existing cladding must be removed before the new boards are installed, budget £8–£15 per m² for stripping — separate from the installation rate. Disposal of old boards (skip hire) adds a further £200–£600 depending on volume. If the existing cladding is asbestos-containing (some pre-1990s flat panel products), specialist removal is required at significantly higher cost.
Scaffolding Costs for Cladding Installation UK 2026
Scaffolding is the most commonly underestimated cost element in cladding project budgets. It is not included in most per-m² installation quotes and must be budgeted separately. For any cladding above approximately 2.5m — which means any house or extension elevation — scaffolding is not optional.
| Scaffolding type | Typical cost range | Duration included | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single elevation, single storey | £600–£1,200 | Typically 1–2 weeks hire | Extension, outbuilding, gable end |
| Single elevation, two storey | £900–£1,800 | Typically 2 weeks hire | House side or rear elevation |
| Full house, two storey | £2,500–£5,000 | 3–6 weeks hire | Full perimeter access |
| Weekly extension rate | £80–£200/week | Per week beyond initial period | Delays add cost — plan carefully |
If your project involves other trades working at height — roofing, guttering, rendering, painting — the most effective way to reduce scaffolding cost is to coordinate the cladding installation within the same scaffold hire period. A cladding contractor working on the same scaffold already erected for a roofer pays no additional scaffold hire cost. On projects where multiple trades are involved, the scaffolding programme should be the first thing planned — not the last. See our timber cladding installation guide for the full sequence.
Total Installation Cost by Project Type — 2026
Combining labour and scaffolding (excluding materials) for typical UK project types in 2026 at Midlands/East Anglia rates. Add 25–35% for London and South East.
| Project type | Typical wall area | Labour (excl. scaffold) | Scaffolding | Total installation cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden shed / outbuilding | 10–20m² | £200–£640 | £0 (ground level) | £200–£640 |
| Garden room / studio | 20–40m² | £400–£1,280 | £0–£400 (low level) | £400–£1,680 |
| Single storey extension | 20–30m² | £400–£960 | £600–£1,200 | £1,000–£2,160 |
| Two storey extension | 35–55m² | £700–£1,760 | £900–£1,800 | £1,600–£3,560 |
| Full house re-clad | 80–120m² | £1,600–£3,840 | £2,500–£5,000 | £4,100–£8,840 |
DIY Installation vs Professional — When Each Makes Sense
Timber cladding is one of the more achievable DIY tasks for a competent builder — it does not require specialist tools beyond a circular saw and nail gun, and the fixing system is straightforward on a simple single-storey building. The honest assessment of when DIY makes sense:
DIY is appropriate for:
- Garden sheds, outbuildings, and garden rooms at ground level
- Simple rectangular buildings with few or no openings
- Projects using shiplap or feather edge profiles — both forgiving to install
- Confident DIYers with experience in timber work who understand the critical details (cavity, fixings, membrane)
- Projects where the total wall area is under 25m² and the labour saving (£500–£800) justifies the time investment
Professional installation is strongly recommended for:
- House elevations requiring scaffolding — working at height safely requires proper scaffold platforms, not ladders
- Shadow gap and rainscreen profiles where reveals and alignment must be precisely maintained across the elevation
- Complex elevations with multiple windows, doors, and junctions — the detailing at reveals and corners determines whether the finished job looks professional or not
- Any project where planning approval specifies the cladding material — substandard installation can result in enforcement action
- Projects with fire-rated cladding requirements — the installation must be documented and verifiable for building control sign-off
How to Get Accurate Installation Quotes — What to Ask
Getting comparable quotes for cladding installation requires asking the same questions of every contractor. The following should be confirmed in writing before accepting any quote:
- Is the quote inclusive of breather membrane and counter battens? If not, add £4–£8 per m² for materials plus fitting time
- What fixing specification will be used? A4 stainless steel is the correct answer. Galvanised or bright steel is incorrect and will cause problems within 3–5 years
- Is scaffolding included or separate? Most quotes are scaffold-exclusive. Confirm what access method is assumed and whether you must provide it
- Is VAT included? Most trade quotes are ex-VAT. Confirm the applicable rate — 20% on house alterations
- How is waste treated? Is skip hire included or separate? Is the contractor responsible for removing offcuts and packaging?
- What is the warranty on workmanship? A professional cladding contractor should offer minimum 12 months on installation workmanship. For full species guides see ThermoWood cladding, Siberian larch cladding, and feather edge boards
- Does the rate include applying first-coat oil or treatment? If you want boards oiled at installation, this is typically charged separately at £3–£6 per m². For the vertical vs horizontal cladding guide see our dedicated article
How much does timber cladding installation cost in the UK?
Labour costs £20–£45/m² depending on region and complexity. London and South East add 25–35%. A 2-person team installs 15–25m² per day on straightforward elevations. Day rate approximately £350–£750 outside London, £500–£950 in London. Scaffolding is additional — £600–£1,200 for a single elevation, £2,500–£5,000 for full house access.
How long does it take to install timber cladding?
A 2-person team installs 15–25m² per day on a simple elevation. 8–15m² on complex elevations with many openings. A 25m² extension elevation takes 1–2 days. A full house re-clad at 80–120m² takes 4–8 days plus scaffolding time. Shadow gap profiles and hidden fix systems reduce output by 15–30% versus shiplap face-fix.
Do I need scaffolding to install timber cladding?
Yes for any elevation above 2.5m — which means any house or extension cladding. Scaffolding costs £600–£1,200 for a single elevation, £2,500–£5,000 for full house access. It is not included in most per-m² labour quotes. Budget it separately and coordinate with other trades to share hire costs.
What affects the cost of fitting timber cladding?
Main factors: location (London/SE +25–35%); number of openings (windows, doors reduce output significantly); profile complexity (shadow gap slower than shiplap); fixing method (hidden fix +20–30% vs face fix); working height; and whether old cladding needs removing first (+£8–£15/m²).
What is the day rate for a cladding fitter UK 2026?
A 2-person cladding team charges £350–£620 per day in the Midlands and North, £450–£800 in the South East, and £500–£950 in London. A single experienced cladding installer charges £170–£290 per day outside London, £280–£480 in London. These are 2026 rates for experienced cladding installers — not general labourers.
Is cladding installation cheaper as DIY?
For ground-level garden buildings — yes, DIY is achievable and the saving (£500–£800 on a 25m² shed) is worthwhile. For house elevations requiring scaffolding, complex profiles, or detailing at reveals and corners, professional installation is strongly recommended. Poor installation of cladding on a house is expensive to remediate and can void product warranties.
Timber Cladding Supply — Accurate Quantities, Fast Delivery
We supply ThermoWood, Siberian larch, charred timber and Nordic spruce from UK stock. Tell us your wall area and profile and we'll calculate the precise board quantity, membrane, battens, and fixings needed — everything your installer needs in a single order. Nationwide delivery 7–14 days.