How much does cladding cost?

Transforming your home’s exterior is one way to upgrade the design of your house and raise its value. Cladding is one way to modernise your home. It can add durability and beauty to your exterior walls, and give additional protection from the ever-changing weather.

In this article, we want to give you an idea of external wall cladding prices. To give you a quick estimate, the cost of house cladding usually ranges from around $30 to $150. You should also consider the labour costs, which generally fall between $30 and $95 per hour. Now, let's take a closer look at these cladding costs.  

How much does it cost to clad your house?

The typical cost of cladding per square metre ranges from $30 to as much as $150, usually depending on the products you pick. However, some types measure using linear metres.

Different types of cladding include timber, vinyl, Colorbond®, Scyon™, stone veneer, aluminium, and weatherboard. 

Timber is one of the most common types of cladding. It is also known as exterior wood cladding, and prices for this type will usually cost you around $3 to $12 per linear metre. Exterior wood has different types, like tight-knot pine, Australian beech, and tallowwood. 

These kinds of softwood cladding can be homegrown in Australia. Tight-knot pine cladding is the cheapest per linear metre at $3 to $7, while tallowwood cladding costs $8 to $12 per linear metre.

Stone veneer cladding is usually the most expensive, with a maximum of $150 per square metre. Aluminium cladding prices are around $14 to $40 per square metre. For more details, see the table below:

Meanwhile, labour costs depend on where you live in Australia, ranging from $30 to $95 per hour. We'll discuss more of these house cladding labour costs below. 

Cladding cost calculator

Measure the area requiring cladding to calculate the total price of your project. After which, you will identify what kind of material to use, multiply the area by the cost per square metre (or other measurement provided), and add the average labour cost. 

Remember that cladding usually takes two to seven days. Meanwhile, recladding a house can take more time since it typically entails removing the existing cladding, addressing any underlying issues, and then installing the new cladding. 

Timber-cladding prices

Timber prices start at $3 per linear metre, with around $11.75 to $12 per linear metre as the most expensive. Commonly used types of timber in Australia are tight-knot pine, Australian beech, blackbutt, spotted gum, blue-gum select grade, and tallowwood.

Species like blackbutt, spotted gum, and tallowwood have powerful appearances and durability. They are compatible with the ever-changing weather. Here are the prices for different types of timber: 

Timber type prices change if the wood is homegrown or imported.

Vinyl cladding 

Vinyl cladding is popular for its durability and reasonable price. Unlike timber, vinyl does not rot or corrode. It can last for 10 to 20 years with minimal maintenance. You can also choose from various colours, with white as the cheapest. Vinyl cladding is also fire-resistant and neat, costing $30 to $100 per square metre.

Aluminium cladding 

One of the most common types of aluminium cladding is Colorbond®, with an average price of $35 per square metre. It also comes in different colours. It guarantees solid protection from bad weather and resists corrosion. Another affordable option is Zincalume®. Generally, aluminium cladding costs $14 to $40 per square metre.

Weatherboard cladding 

Weatherboard cladding or external wood cladding are measured per 4.2 m x 230 mm. Weatherboards are the most popular in Australia. They come in different shapes and sizes and look like timber. They have fibre cement, vinyl, and hardwood variants. However, the downside of a weatherboard is that it needs more maintenance work than other cladding types. 

A popular type is the HardiePlank™, which is usually $28.75 per 4.2 m x 230 mm wide. If you want to know how much weatherboard cladding costs, the range is $20 to $30.

Stone veneer cladding 

Using stone cladding can make your house look traditional. Your fireproof options depend on the style you want. Stone veneer is the most expensive cladding type, costing $100 to $150 per square metre. Its installation also requires experts. Expect to pay $230 to $310 per square metre for labour and installation.

What is the labour cost for cladding?

Prices for labour depend on the skillset of your chosen tradesman. Cladding specialists have higher fees since they have years of experience. Depending on the size of your area, cladding usually takes two to seven days to complete. Here are the labour costs in different parts of the country:

Some labourers charge per square metre instead of per hour, with labour prices at $50 to $100 per square metre. Discuss their rates when you ask for a cladding quoting.

Additional costs

You need to consider many things before you start your cladding project. These factors will affect your total expenses:

• Property size and shape. Those with bungalow houses might prefer to clad their entire place, while those who own two-storey homes might go for a half-clad. 
• Location. You might have to spend more money on labourers far from your place. Also, consider the delivery of the materials.
• Materials. The quality of the materials will significantly affect your budget.
• Carpenter or company reputation. People are usually willing to pay more when quality is assured. Skilled workers charge more.
• Duration. Cladding installation usually takes two to seven days. Consider this if you prefer a per-day rate.
• Scaffolding. You might want to add $5,000 or $8,000 to your budget for this.
• Cleaning. It is vital to start a project with a clean house so that your labourers can set up their materials properly. You can do this independently or hire cleaners to save time and energy.
• Cladding removal. If your property already has cladding, remove it before the installation project. It's not essential to hire cladding experts, but you might need labourers to do it for you. 

How to find a cladding installer

When searching for a cladding installer, choose someone with a good reputation. Here are some pointers:

1. Look at their portfolio and check their qualifications and experience.
2. Check their licences. States have different cladding license requirements. For example. In New South Wales, a tradesperson who installs cladding will probably hold a carpenter licence.
3. Ask your friends and family members for recommendations. 
4. Some companies have different speciality tradespeople. If you're having a house renovation, you might want to hire someone to work on your floors, roof, and walls. You might be able to save on daily labour costs.
5. Ask for quotations from different tradespeople to have an objective price list.
6. You can also check if they're members of the Metal Roofing and Cladding Association of Australia. The organisation assures the quality of its members.
7. Hire a Tasker so that you don’t need to go around for information!

How do I post a task on Airtasker?

Are you ready to hire a cladding installer? It's time to post your listing! Here's what you need to provide to start receiving offers:

• Location
• Budget
• Project duration
• Preferred cladding type
• Area size
• Other services you want to include

Remember, the more comprehensive and detailed your information, the better equipped taskers will be to provide you with the most suitable offers. Take the next step towards transforming your home's exterior by posting your cladding task on Airtasker today.