Render Types and Per-m2 Cost Comparison
The render system you choose determines both the upfront cost and how much maintenance the finish needs over its lifespan.
Cement render uses a traditional mix of sand, cement, and hydrated lime in a ratio of roughly 4:1:0.5 (scratch coat) to 6:1 (finish coat). Pre-blended bags like Boral Blue Circle Uni Render (~$18–$22 per 20kg bag, covering approximately 1.5m2 at 10mm thick) simplify mixing but cost more than site-batched render.
Acrylic render systems from Dulux AcraTex (RenderWall range), Rockcote (made on the Sunshine Coast, popular across QLD and northern NSW), and Unitex (strong in VIC and SA) include colour in the mix, flex with minor substrate movement, and dry in 2–3 days versus 28 days for cement render. The upfront premium over cement render is offset by not needing a separate painter.
Lime render is the only appropriate system for porous heritage masonry (sandstone, bluestone, limestone). Lime is softer and more permeable than the stone beneath it, allowing moisture to pass through rather than be trapped. Cement render on these substrates traps moisture, accelerates stone deterioration, and eventually bubbles and detaches. Rockcote produces a specialist lime plaster range designed for Australian heritage applications.
What Affects the Cost
Total wall area. Rendering is priced per square metre. A single feature wall (10–20m2) carries a minimum-job premium. A full single-storey house (100–150m2) is more cost-effective per square metre.
Render type. Cement render at $45–$65/m2 is the cheapest option but needs painting. Acrylic at $60–$85/m2 includes colour and is more flexible. Texture coats and lime render sit at the premium end.
Number of storeys. Single-storey homes are straightforward. Two-storey homes need scaffolding, adding $1,500–$5,000 depending on perimeter and hire duration. Three-storey or split-level homes push scaffolding costs higher.
Surface preparation. The render is only as good as the surface underneath. Crumbling mortar, loose old render, peeling paint, or dirty surfaces all need cleaning, repair, and priming. On some properties, prep work accounts for 30–40% of the total job cost.
Stripping old render. If the existing render is cracked, hollow (tap it with a hammer and listen), or pulling away from the wall, it must come off before re-rendering. Rendering over a failing base will delaminate within one to two years. Removal adds $15–$30/m2 depending on how well bonded the old render is.
Substrate type. Bare brick and concrete block are ideal substrates. Painted brick needs a bonding agent or mechanical preparation. Sandstone and bluestone require lime-based systems. Fibro or fibre cement sheets in pre-1990 homes may contain asbestos and must be tested before any work begins.
Weather constraints. Render should not be applied in extreme heat (above 35 degrees C), rain, or frost. Scheduling around weather conditions can affect project timelines, particularly in Perth's summer and Melbourne's winter.
A single feature wall on a modern brick home with good access and no scaffolding sits toward $2,000. A full-house re-render on a two-storey home requiring old render removal, scaffolding, surface repair, and acrylic finish pushes toward $18,400.
City and Regional Price Comparison
Prices vary across Australia based on labour rates, predominant construction methods, and climate considerations.
At the city level, Sydney is the baseline at $2,000–$18,400 per job. Melbourne tracks close to Sydney pricing with strong demand driven by brick-to-render conversions on its large stock of double-brick homes. Brisbane tends to sit slightly lower, with acrylic render preferred for its flexibility in subtropical heat. Smaller trade pools affect availability and rendering quotes in Perth and Adelaide; see the Pricing by City table for local ranges.
Within any city, costs shift based on property size, height, and existing surface condition. A single-storey brick home in a newer suburb with clean walls and good access is a straightforward job near the lower end. A two-storey home in an older inner suburb, with peeling old render to strip, scaffolding required, and heritage considerations, pushes toward the upper end. The render type chosen creates a meaningful split: cement render at $45–$65/m2 is cheapest upfront but needs a painter afterwards ($25–$60/m2 for exterior painting), while acrylic at $60–$85/m2 includes colour and requires no follow-on paint trade.
Reactive clay soils in parts of Adelaide, Melbourne's western suburbs, and Perth's eastern corridors cause seasonal ground movement that translates to hairline cracking in rendered walls. Homes on these soil types benefit from acrylic render's flexibility over rigid cement render.
How We Calculate
Estimates are based on surveyed trade rates for licensed renderers and plasterers, adjusted for each state and typical property types. All prices include GST. Figures cover standard residential external rendering. Commercial properties, multi-storey buildings requiring specialist access equipment, and heritage restoration may fall outside these ranges.