By Max Wall · Updated
Why there's no single price per square metre
Cladding is usually priced by the square metre, but the rate depends heavily on the house. Two homes with the same wall area can cost very different amounts to clad because of their height, shape, access and what's already on the walls.
That's why we don't publish a price list. Instead, we look at photos or plans to give a rough idea, then measure on site and put a fixed price in writing. The factors below are what we're looking at when we do.
The product and profile
Different James Hardie profiles have different material costs and take different amounts of time to install. Weatherboards like Linea™ go up board by board, grooved panels like Axon™ cover more wall per sheet, and panel systems like Matrix™ need careful set-out and a cavity, which adds time and components.
Mixing profiles on one facade can look great, but each change of material adds trims, junctions and cutting. Keeping the design to one or two profiles is one of the simplest ways to control cost.
Wall area, shape and openings
A long, plain wall is the most efficient thing to clad. Every window, door, corner, gable, meter box and tap adds cutting, flashing and trim work. A small wall with lots of openings can take longer than a bigger wall with none.
Gables and raked walls need angled cuts, and returns around bay windows or recessed entries add corners. We count these at the measure, because they matter more to the price than the raw number of square metres.
Height, access and scaffolding
Single-storey walls can usually be clad from ladders or low platforms. Upper storeys, high gables and sloping blocks often need scaffolding, which is a separate cost and has to be erected, inspected and removed.
Access affects time too. Narrow side paths, steep driveways, tight boundaries and limited parking all slow down moving materials around the site.
What's coming off the wall
For a re-clad, the existing material usually has to be removed and disposed of before the new cladding goes on. The type of material, how it's fixed and how much there is all affect the cost of removal and tip fees.
Homes built or renovated before 1990 may have cladding or eaves that contain asbestos. If we suspect asbestos, it has to be tested and, if present, removed by a licensed asbestos removalist under SafeWork SA rules before we start. That's an additional cost, and we'll flag it as early as we can.
The condition of the frame
Once old cladding is off, the frame underneath is exposed. Rot, termite damage or out-of-line studs need to be fixed before new cladding goes on, because the cladding can only be as straight and sound as what it's fixed to.
This is the one cost that often can't be known until the wall is open. A good quote explains how hidden damage will be handled and priced, so there's a clear process if it's found.
Everything behind and around the boards
Wall wrap, battens or a cavity system, flashings around windows and doors, corner and junction trims, and the right fixings are all part of a proper installation to James Hardie's guide. They're easy to leave off a cheap quote, and expensive to fix if they're missing.
Insulation is an optional extra that's worth considering while the walls are open. Adding CSR Bradford wall batts during a re-clad costs much less than trying to insulate the wall later.
Bushfire, coastal and approval requirements
On bushfire-prone sites, the Bushfire Attack Level determines which products and details can be used. Higher ratings can mean different products, extra components or a different wall system altogether.
Near the coast, James Hardie sets requirements for fixings and accessories that suit a marine environment. Heritage areas, estate guidelines and strata rules can also limit choices or require approvals, which can add time and fees before work starts.
Painting and finishing
Most James Hardie cladding arrives pre-primed and needs a full exterior paint system to finish it. Some quotes include painting and some don't, so check. Dark colours, multiple colours and lots of trim work all take more time to paint neatly.
Timing and weather
Exterior work stops for rain and strong wind, and the paint system has its own weather limits. A flexible start date can make scheduling easier, while a fixed deadline, such as a sale or a builder's handover, may need more planning.
How to compare cladding quotes
Ask each contractor to list the profile, the wall area, and what's included: removal, wrap, battens, trims, flashings, scaffolding, painting and clean-up. Check how hidden frame damage will be handled, and whether the installation follows James Hardie's published guide.
When quotes are laid out this way, the differences become clear. The cheapest number isn't always the best value if it leaves out parts of the system.
Getting an accurate price for your home
Send us photos of each wall, your suburb and any plans you have, and we'll give you a rough idea of where the job sits. We then measure on site, check the walls and frame, and give you a fixed, written quote with the scope, products and timeline set out. What we quote is what you pay.
