How much does it cost to render a house in Ireland in 2026?

As an indicative 2026 range, expect roughly €35–€90 per m² applied for most render finishes once labour, materials and prep are included. A typical three-bed semi with around 100 m² of wall area usually lands between €6,000 and €13,000, depending on the finish, the condition of the walls and access. Removing old render or pebbledash, plus scaffolding, can push this higher. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.

What is the cost per m² of K-Rend or silicone render versus sand-and-cement?

Indicatively for 2026, traditional sand-and-cement render is the cheapest at around €25–€45 per m² applied, while thin-coat silicone or acrylic systems (K-Rend style) typically run €40–€75 per m² because they are factory-coloured, crack-resistant and breathable. Pebbledash sits in between at roughly €30–€55 per m². These are guide figures only — local quotes vary widely.

Is rendering or external wall insulation a better choice?

If your walls already need a new finish, it is often worth insulating at the same time. External wall insulation (EWI) wraps the house in insulation and then renders over it, improving your BER and comfort. Because you only pay for scaffolding and finishing once, combining the two can be far better value than rendering now and insulating later. SEAI support may be available for EWI — see the external wall insulation page for current grant details.

How long does house render last?

A well-applied thin-coat silicone or acrylic render can last 25–30 years or more with minimal maintenance, as the colour runs through the render and it sheds dirt and water. Traditional sand-and-cement render typically needs repainting every 5–10 years and is more prone to cracking. Pebbledash is durable but dated-looking and hard to repair invisibly.

Do I need scaffolding to render my house?

For most two-storey Irish homes, yes. Scaffolding is needed for safe access and a consistent finish, and as an indicative 2026 range it adds around €1,000–€3,000 to the job depending on height, access and how long it is hired. Single-storey extensions or low walls may only need a tower or be done off ladders, which is cheaper.

renovation

House Rendering & Cladding Cost Ireland 2026 (Per m²)

What does it cost to render or clad a house in Ireland in 2026? Per-m² prices for sand-and-cement, silicone, pebbledash, brick slip and timber, plus scaffolding.

23 June 2026

House Rendering & Cladding Cost Ireland 2026 (Per m²)

Rerendering or cladding the outside of your home transforms its appearance, protects the walls from weather and can be the perfect moment to add insulation. As an indicative 2026 range, most render finishes cost roughly €35–€90 per m² applied, which puts a typical three-bed semi (around 100 m² of wall) at about €6,000–€13,000. Cladding such as brick slips or timber costs more. The figures below are indicative 2026 ranges only — get at least three written quotes for your specific house and finish.

Cost per m² by finish and cladding type

The price depends heavily on the system you choose, the state of your existing walls and access. The table shows indicative 2026 ranges for the finish supplied and applied (labour included), before scaffolding and major prep.

Finish / cladding	Indicative cost per m² (applied, 2026)	Notes
Traditional sand-and-cement render	€25–€45	Cheapest; needs painting and repainting; prone to hairline cracks
Pebbledash / dry dash	€30–€55	Durable, low-paint; dated look, hard to patch invisibly
Thin-coat silicone render (K-Rend style)	€40–€75	Factory-coloured, breathable, crack-resistant, low maintenance
Acrylic thin-coat render	€40–€70	Similar to silicone, slightly less breathable
Brick slip cladding	€90–€180	Real-brick appearance; premium look, higher labour
Timber cladding	€60–€130	Natural finish; needs periodic treatment/maintenance

Thin-coat silicone systems cost more upfront than sand-and-cement but usually work out cheaper over their life because the colour is built in and they rarely need repainting.

Scaffolding, prep and crack repair

Two big variables sit outside the headline per-m² rate:

Scaffolding. Most two-storey homes need it. Indicative 2026 range: €1,000–€3,000 depending on height, access and hire duration. Sharing one set of scaffolding for render and any insulation, roof or gutter work saves money.
Surface preparation and crack repair. Removing old, blown or pebbledashed render adds cost and waste — indicatively €15–€30 per m² to strip and dispose. Cracks, damp patches and loose substrate must be repaired and stabilised first; skipping this is the most common cause of new render failing early.

Always confirm in writing whether your quote includes prep, removal of old render and scaffolding, as these can swing the total by thousands.

The link to external wall insulation

This is the single most important decision if your walls already need a fresh finish. External wall insulation (EWI) fixes insulation boards to the outside of your walls and then renders over them — so the final coat looks just like a normal silicone render, but your home is far warmer and your BER improves.

Because the expensive parts of the job (scaffolding, surface prep, the finishing render) are shared, adding insulation while you are already rendering is usually far better value than rendering now and insulating later. EWI can also attract SEAI support, which a plain re-render cannot. We do not quote grant amounts here as they change — see the external wall insulation cost page and the insulation grants page for current figures, and the guide on how to improve your BER rating for the wider picture.

If you are weighing up wall options generally, the wall insulation types guide compares cavity, internal and external approaches.

Render versus cladding

Render is cheaper and gives a clean, modern, seamless finish. Cladding — brick slips, timber, stone-effect panels — costs more but adds texture and character, and can be mixed with render on feature areas (for example a rendered main wall with a timber-clad porch). Brick slips give the look of brick without the weight and depth of full bricks. Timber looks warm and natural but needs re-oiling or staining every few years to stay looking its best.

Ways to save

Combine jobs. Render, insulate, replace gutters and do any roof work while the scaffolding is up — see new roof cost if a roof is also due.
Insulate while you render. If the finish is coming off anyway, EWI shares the cost and may unlock SEAI support.
Choose silicone over sand-and-cement where budget allows — the longer life and no-repaint finish usually beats the lower upfront price over 20+ years.
Render rather than full cladding on large plain elevations, saving cladding for feature areas.
Repaint instead of re-render if your existing render is sound — see painting cost for exterior repainting figures.
Get at least three written quotes and confirm exactly what is included: prep, old-render removal, scaffolding and the specific render system and warranty.

All euro figures above are indicative 2026 ranges and will vary by region, house size, wall condition and access. They are guide prices to help you budget, not fixed quotes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to render a house in Ireland in 2026?: As an indicative 2026 range, expect roughly €35–€90 per m² applied for most render finishes once labour, materials and prep are included. A typical three-bed semi with around 100 m² of wall area usually lands between €6,000 and €13,000, depending on the finish, the condition of the walls and access. Removing old render or pebbledash, plus scaffolding, can push this higher. Always get at least three written quotes before committing.
What is the cost per m² of K-Rend or silicone render versus sand-and-cement?: Indicatively for 2026, traditional sand-and-cement render is the cheapest at around €25–€45 per m² applied, while thin-coat silicone or acrylic systems (K-Rend style) typically run €40–€75 per m² because they are factory-coloured, crack-resistant and breathable. Pebbledash sits in between at roughly €30–€55 per m². These are guide figures only — local quotes vary widely.
Is rendering or external wall insulation a better choice?: If your walls already need a new finish, it is often worth insulating at the same time. External wall insulation (EWI) wraps the house in insulation and then renders over it, improving your BER and comfort. Because you only pay for scaffolding and finishing once, combining the two can be far better value than rendering now and insulating later. SEAI support may be available for EWI — see the external wall insulation page for current grant details.
How long does house render last?: A well-applied thin-coat silicone or acrylic render can last 25–30 years or more with minimal maintenance, as the colour runs through the render and it sheds dirt and water. Traditional sand-and-cement render typically needs repainting every 5–10 years and is more prone to cracking. Pebbledash is durable but dated-looking and hard to repair invisibly.
Do I need scaffolding to render my house?: For most two-storey Irish homes, yes. Scaffolding is needed for safe access and a consistent finish, and as an indicative 2026 range it adds around €1,000–€3,000 to the job depending on height, access and how long it is hired. Single-storey extensions or low walls may only need a tower or be done off ladders, which is cheaper.