How much does it cost to render a house?

What exactly is rendering a house?

House rendering is used commonly on brick-built houses, rendering is the process of coating external walls with either cement or acrylic to improve both the functionality and appearance. A render hides any exposed brick structure to create a more complete house look, while at the same time, waterproofing and insulating your home. Hipages, another trade services website, also states that when a render is completed, any gaps between the bricks are filled to create the desired finish, whether it be smooth or textured.

There are three common types of rendering mixtures:

• Cement is considered to be one of the most common and popular kinds of render for its cost effectiveness and simplicity.
• Acrylic is thick and paint-like with sand added. It comes in pre-mixed buckets and is usually used as a fine topcoat over a cement render.
• Polymer-Modified is usually used if other types of render haven’t adhered properly. This cement and polymer mix can be used on cement blocks, clay bricks, concrete, polystyrene, plaster and painted walls. Due to being waterproof, it is highly recommended for any wet areas of the house.

How much does rendering a house cost?

Rendering costs for a house is usually based on the size of the structure, the type of render used, your location and the level of service you choose. The type of finish you require and the surface materials can also come into play, Trade website Hipages says a house render can cost between $30-$150 per square metre. These average rates break down as follows:

• $30 – $50 per m2 for cement render
• $50 per m2 for lime render
• $80 per m2 for acrylic render
• $100 – $150 per m2 for insulating render

Do renderers need to be licensed in Australia?

If you are employing a renderer or any sort of tradesman to undertake work on your home, then it is important to make sure they are licensed and insured. Each state and territory in Australia has its own specific rules when it comes to licensing requirements for renderers, and sometimes licensing is not required for rendering jobs under a certain dollar value.

That said, it’s important to make sure that you hire licensed tradies and builders to do any job around your home. Hipages warns that hiring unlicensed trades can have serious consequences, including:

• Exposing your home and family to dangerous and shoddy work.
• Needing to pay to fix mistakes and damage not covered by insurance.
• Exposing yourself to liability for accidents or injuries during work.

Is rendering the same as plastering?

Though they may seem similar, these two home renovation techniques are very different. Oneflare states the differences are:

• Rendering is mainly used to coat the exterior of a house while plastering is mainly used for the interior.
• Rendering uses a higher concentration of concrete.
• Plastering is used in preparation for wallpapering or painting inside the house.

Can I DIY a house render?

Though a DIY render can be done, doing it yourself can be difficult, time-consuming and, if not done properly, expensive in the long run. Rendering is a process that needs to be done in large sections at once and proper precautions and preparations need to be done to avoid any mishaps.

If you are keen on making this your next DIY project or are already googling local renderers to hire, we recommend not skimping on the details. The cost to render a house through a professional could be worth it and outweigh any savings made by cutting corners yourself.

Head to Canstar’s Renovation Hub for more ideas for DIY projects in your home.

Main image source: ronstik/Shutterstock.com.