Updated April 2026· Independently researched·14 min read
Most house rendering in Melbourne costs $8,400–$13,650
for a standard single-storey home
A single storey house in Melbourne costs $5,800–$13,650 to render. Two storey homes run $12,600–$28,350 (including scaffolding). Per-sqm rates range from $32/sqm for cement render to $84/sqm for texture coat.
+2.1%Rendering costs in Melbourne have risen this quarter, driven by strong construction activity and trade shortages.Q1 2026 vs Q4 2025
Average Rendering Cost in Melbourne
$126
per hour for standard residential work
Call-Out Fee
$63–$158
Emergency Rate
$263–$735
Common Job
$158–$420
Budget $84/hrAverage $126/hrPremium $210/hr
House rendering in Melbourne costs $32–$63/sqm for cement render, $42–$74/sqm for acrylic render, and $47–$84/sqm for texture coat finishes. A whole single-storey house (approx 150 sqm of walls) costs $5,800–$13,650. Two-storey homes cost $12,600–$28,350 including scaffolding.
Quick answerRendering in Melbourne costs $32–$63 /sqm, with most averaging $47 /sqm. GST included — verified April 2026. Get free Melbourne quotes →
Detailed Pricing — Melbourne 2026
Service
Low
Typical
High
Cement render (per sqm)
$32/sqm
$47
$63
Acrylic render (per sqm)
$42/sqm
$58
$74
Texture coat render (per sqm)
$47/sqm
$63
$84
Polished / venetian plaster (per sqm)
$84/sqm
$125
$190
Feature wall (indoor, per sqm)
$52/sqm
$79
$115
Whole house exterior (approx 200 sqm)
$8,400total
$12,600
$18,900
Single storey house (approx 150 sqm)
$5,800total
$8,900
$13,650
Two storey house (approx 300 sqm)
$12,600total
$18,900
$28,350
Old render removal (per sqm)
$16/sqm
$26
$42
Crack repair / patching (per sqm)
$42/sqm
$68
$105
Scaffolding (two storey)
$1,575total
$2,625
$4,200
Painting over new render (per sqm)
$13/sqm
$21
$32
Getting quotes for rendering work in Melbourne? Get a quote from a verified local tradie — free, no obligation.
Cement render ($32–$63/sqm in Melbourne) is the cheapest but needs painting. Acrylic render ($42–$74/sqm) is more flexible and crack-resistant. Texture coat ($47–$84/sqm) includes colour and doesn't need painting.
House size & storeys
A single-storey Melbourne house (150 sqm walls) costs $5,800–$13,650. Two-storey ($12,600–$28,350) costs more due to scaffolding ($1,575–$4,200 extra) and harder access.
Existing surface
Rendering over clean brick or block in Melbourne is straightforward. Old render may need removing ($16–$42/sqm) before new render can be applied.
Crack repair
If your Melbourne home has existing cracks, these need repairing before rendering. Structural cracks may need engineering assessment — cosmetic cracks can be filled during prep.
Scaffolding
Scaffolding for two-storey Melbourne homes costs $1,575–$4,200 and is required for safe, quality work above single-storey height.
Painting
Cement render needs painting (add $12–$30/sqm in Melbourne). Acrylic and texture coat renders include colour, saving the cost of a separate paint job.
How to Save Money on Rendering in Melbourne
1
Get quotes from experienced Melbourne renderers — ask what's included (prep, scaffolding, painting)
2
Choose acrylic or texture coat if you want to avoid future painting costs — the extra upfront cost pays off
3
Ask about warranties — good Melbourne renderers offer 5–10 year warranties on workmanship
4
Don't render over damaged substrates — cracks and moisture issues need fixing first
5
Time your Melbourne render job for autumn or spring — extreme heat and cold affect curing quality
6
Ask for samples or visit completed jobs to see the finish in person before committing
Melbourne Rendering Costs by Render Type
Render Type
Cost per m²
Best For
Cement render
$30–$50
Budget-friendly, traditional look
Acrylic render
$35–$60
Most Melbourne homes — flexible, crack-resistant
Texture coat (Dulux AcraTex, Rockcote)
$50–$80
Premium finish, wide colour range
Bagging (thin cement wash)
$20–$35
Exposed brick with a softer look
Lime render
$55–$85
Heritage homes, breathable walls
Popular Melbourne rendering projects and typical costs:
Render over 1970s brick (full exterior, 3-bed): $6,000–$12,000
Render feature wall only (front facade): $2,000–$4,500
Repair cracked cement render (patch and repaint): $500–$2,000
Full strip and re-render: $8,000–$18,000
Render + paint (combined project): $8,000–$20,000
Melbourne's inner-east and inner-south suburbs (Hawthorn, Malvern, Brighton, Armadale) have the highest demand for rendering, particularly converting dated brick to modern rendered facades. Heritage overlay areas may restrict exterior changes — check with your local council before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does rendering cost per sqm in Melbourne?
Rendering in Melbourne costs $32–$63/sqm for cement render, $42–$74/sqm for acrylic, and $47–$84/sqm for texture coat. These prices include application but cement render needs separate painting.
How much does it cost to render a house in Melbourne?
Rendering a single-storey house in Melbourne costs $5,800–$13,650. A two-storey house costs $12,600–$28,350 including scaffolding. Final cost depends on wall area, render type, and surface condition.
What's the best type of render?
Acrylic render ($42–$74/sqm in Melbourne) offers the best balance of cost, durability, and appearance. It's more flexible than cement (resists cracking) and includes colour, avoiding future painting costs.
How long does rendering last?
Quality cement render lasts 20–30 years. Acrylic and texture coat renders last 25–40+ years with minimal maintenance. Poor application or lack of surface preparation shortens lifespan significantly.
Can you render over old render?
Sometimes — if the old render is solid and well-bonded, new render can go over the top. If it's cracking, hollow, or peeling, it needs removing ($16–$42/sqm in Melbourne) before re-rendering.
Does rendering add value to a house?
Yes — rendering transforms the look of a Melbourne home and typically adds more value than it costs. It's one of the highest-ROI exterior improvements, especially on older brick homes.
How much does house rendering cost per square metre in Melbourne?
House rendering in Melbourne costs $30–$80 per square metre in 2026, depending on the render type. Cement render is cheapest ($30–$50/m²), acrylic render sits at $35–$60/m², and texture-coat finishes run $50–$80/m². A typical 3-bedroom home exterior (150–200m² of wall area) costs $5,000–$16,000 including preparation and two coats.
What type of render is best for Melbourne weather?
Acrylic render is the most popular choice for Melbourne due to its flexibility and crack resistance. Melbourne's temperature swings — from 40°C+ summer days to near-freezing winter mornings — cause walls to expand and contract. Cement render is rigid and more prone to cracking in these conditions. Acrylic render also handles Melbourne's driving rain better and comes in a wider range of colours and textures.
How long does rendering take on a Melbourne home?
Rendering a standard 3-bedroom Melbourne home takes 5–10 days depending on the number of coats, render type, and weather conditions. Cement render needs 7+ days of curing time between coats. Acrylic render cures faster (24–48 hours between coats). Melbourne's wet winters can extend timelines — rendering shouldn't be applied below 5°C or in rain.
Can you render over existing brick in Melbourne?
Yes, rendering over existing brick is one of the most popular home renovation projects in Melbourne. It transforms dated 1960s–1980s brown or cream brick into a modern rendered look. The brick must be in good structural condition — crumbling mortar or damp bricks need repair first. A bonding agent is applied before the render coat. Expect to pay $35–$60/m² for acrylic render over brick.
Our Methodology
Prices on this page are compiled from publicly available cost guides, leading tradie marketplaces, peak industry body data, and individual tradesperson websites across Australia. We cross-reference ranges from multiple sources and adjust for city-specific cost differences based on advertised rates, salary data, and cost-of-living indicators. Our guides are independently produced — we don't employ tradespeople and have no commercial relationship with any service provider. All prices are estimates and will vary based on your specific job. Always get multiple quotes. Last reviewed April 2026. Read our full methodology →
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