Cladding Cost Calculator
Cladding Replacement Cost Guide: Price Per m² and Total Project Costs
Disclaimer: The prices listed below are general estimates only and can vary depending on your property, material choice, and site conditions. Every project is different, so while this guide gives you a ballpark idea, we always recommend getting in touch with our team for an accurate, tailored quote. You can also use our Cladding Cost Calculator to estimate your project total based on size and materials. It’s a great starting point before getting a quote.
If you’re replacing damaged or outdated cladding, you’re probably staring at quotes that feel like they were pulled from a magician’s hat. On average, cladding replacement costs between $80 and $250 AUD per square metre, depending on your choice of Material, the complexity of the job, and whether old cladding needs to be removed first.
Here’s a rough guide to what you might see:
| Material Type | Typical Price per m²* |
|---|---|
| Budget fibre cement or standard timber | ~ $80-$130 AUD |
| Mid range metal or premium timber | ~ $130-$190 AUD |
| High spec composite or complex install | ~ $190-$250+ AUD |
It matters because cladding in poor condition isn’t just an eyesore: it can lead to leaks, fire risks and rising energy bills. Just be aware that many quotes don’t include things like scaffold hire, waste removal or compliance upgrades. Those extras can add up fast.
Cladding Replacement Cost per m² by Material
One of the biggest factors affecting your total cost is the type of cladding you choose. Each material comes with its own price range, durability, and installation complexity. Here’s a breakdown of typical cladding replacement costs per square metre in 2025 across Melbourne.
| Cladding Material | Estimated Cost per m² (installed) | What We See On Site |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre Cement (e.g. HardiePlank) | $85 – $140 | Great value for money. Tough, clean look, fire rated. Most common choice lately. |
| Timber Weatherboards | $120 – $180 | Looks beautiful but needs upkeep. We still get requests for it on heritage homes. |
| Metal (e.g. Colorbond) | $130 – $190 | Solid performer. Sharp, modern finish. Goes up fast, low maintenance. |
| Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) | $160 – $230 | Often used to replace old non compliant cladding. Sleek and compliant. |
| Vinyl Cladding | $80 – $120 | Less common here in Melbourne but we have installed it on budget builds and extensions. |
| Architectural Finishes (Zinc, Copper) | $220 – $350+ | These are the showpieces. Mostly on high end custom homes or commercial facades. |
Note: These prices usually include removal of old cladding, standard labour, and new installation. Complex builds, multi-storey homes or tight access sites can push the total higher.
Quick Tips:
- Fibre cement is your best all-rounder for cost, safety and durability.
- Metal cladding like Colorbond is popular across Victoria thanks to its weather resistance and low upkeep.
- If you’re replacing non-compliant ACP panels, make sure the replacement meets current fire-safety standards. There are stricter codes in place post-2018.
Full Cladding Replacement Cost Breakdown
Now here’s the part most people don’t see in the flashy quote headline, the breakdown. We’ve replaced cladding on dozens of homes across Melbourne, and I can tell you the final cost is rarely just about the cladding boards. There are several moving parts to a job like this, and they all affect the total bill.
Here’s how it typically stacks up:
| Cost Item | Estimated Range (AUD) | Details from Site |
|---|---|---|
| Cladding material | $80 – $250 per m² | Based on everything covered above. Fibre cement is budget friendly, copper is premium. |
| Labour | $60 – $100 per m² | Includes removal, prep and install. Multi storey jobs cost more. |
| Old cladding removal | $20 – $60 per m² | Higher if asbestos or ACM is involved. |
| Scaffolding | $2,000 – $6,000+ total | Required for anything over one storey. This surprises most homeowners. |
| Waste disposal | $500 – $1,500+ | Transport, tip fees and clean up. Always included in professional quotes. |
| Building permits | $1,000 – $2,500 | Required for major replacement or when fixing non compliant cladding. |
| Compliance upgrades | $1,500 – $5,000+ | Fire barriers, flashings, insulation, cavity systems. Usually missing from cheap quotes. |
| Optional insulation | $30 – $50 per m² | Smart to add while the walls are open. Helps with energy efficiency long term. |
So for a standard Melbourne home with 150 m² of wall area using metal or fibre cement, you’re looking at $25,000 to $40,000 all-up, depending on complexity.
What Affects the Cost of Cladding Replacement?
Every job is a little different, and after working on so many homes across Melbourne, we’ve seen how certain details can swing the price quite a bit. Here’s what tends to have the biggest impact:
1. Size of the Wall Area
Pretty straightforward, more square metres means more materials and more time on site. A small single-storey extension might only need 60 m² of cladding, while a double-storey home can go over 180 m² easily.
Tip: Ask your installer to break down costs per square metre so you can see how it scales.
2. Number of Storeys
Scaffold goes up fast on taller buildings… and so does the price. Anything over one storey generally needs proper scaffold for safety and compliance. This alone can add thousands to the final quote.
3. Type of Cladding
Materials vary in price and how tricky they are to install. Metal cladding and fibre cement go up relatively quickly. Timber, especially if it’s being joined around ornate trims or windows, can be slower and more expensive. Composite panels usually sit at the higher end of both cost and install time.
4. Site Access
Got a narrow side path, steep slope, or tight laneway entry? That’s going to affect labour and scaffold setup. We’ve had jobs where just getting materials to the back of the house added a full day’s work.
5. Removing Old Cladding
Some cladding pulls off easily, other times it’s glued, nailed, or even hiding asbestos. If your home was built before the early 90s, we always check for asbestos first. Safe removal adds time, gear, and specialist disposal costs.
6. Compliance Requirements
This is a big one, especially post-2018. If you’re replacing non-compliant cladding (especially in units, townhouses or commercial builds), you’ll likely need to meet fire safety codes, use fire-rated materials, and potentially upgrade barriers or sarking. These are essential and not negotiable under current laws.
7. Extra Features and Finishes
Window trims, custom flashings, decorative battens, corner pieces. They all add to the detail work. The more intricate the facade, the more time we need to get it looking sharp.
8. Timeline or Weather Factors
Urgent jobs or poor weather conditions can affect scheduling, site setup, and cost. If we’re squeezing the job between rain spells or working around live trades, it slows things down.
Does Insurance Cover Cladding Replacement?
Insurance can be a grey area when it comes to cladding replacement. Most standard building insurance policies do not cover the cost of replacing cladding unless it’s damaged by an insured event like fire or storm. If you’re simply upgrading outdated or non-compliant cladding, you’re likely footing the bill yourself.
What’s more, if your property contains combustible cladding and you haven’t disclosed it, your insurer might reject a claim. A whitepaper from Capral notes that owners who discover their building is clad with non-compliant materials must disclose that risk. Failure to do so may result in a denied claim.
So before you assume you’re covered, check your policy or speak with your broker directly.
Victorian Compliance Issues: Non-Compliant Cladding
Victoria has taken a strong stance on cladding safety, especially after several major building fires. The state set up Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) to oversee the identification and rectification of high-risk buildings.
If your property has non-compliant aluminium composite panels (ACP) or expanded polystyrene (EPS), and it was built or renovated before 2020, it may be subject to inspection or enforcement. Many buildings have received official Building Orders requiring the cladding to be replaced.
In some cases, CSV provides financial assistance for rectification work, but they can also recover those costs from builders or suppliers later on. As outlined in this analysis from Pinsent Masons, these recovery actions are increasing across the state.
If you’re planning to replace cladding, it’s critical to check:
- Whether your building has been audited or flagged for non-compliant cladding
- Whether your materials meet current safety and fire performance requirements
- Whether there are any official compliance notices or orders in place
Fire-Rating Requirements
One of the biggest reasons people are replacing cladding right now is fire safety. Under the current Building Code of Australia, all external wall systems on certain classes of buildings must meet strict fire spread resistance standards.
If your cladding doesn’t meet the Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) pathway, then you may need a Performance Solution or full replacement. This usually applies to ACPs with a polyethylene core, EPS foam panels, or any material that lacks proven fire resistance.
Fire-rated replacements often come with higher up-front costs because they require compliant boards, certified insulation layers, and fire barriers at key points like window junctions and balconies. But skipping these requirements isn’t an option if your goal is legal compliance and long-term safety. You can learn more in this guide from Apex Facades.
Relevant Building Codes and Guidelines in Victoria
When replacing cladding in Melbourne or anywhere in Victoria, your builder must comply with a number of local laws and guidelines. These include:
- The Building Code of Australia (Part C1.9 and related sections)
- The Building Act 1993 (VIC) and Building Regulations 2018 (VIC)
- Minister’s Guideline MG-15 for remediation proposals under the Cladding Safety Victoria scheme
- Legal commentary on compliance in design and construction
If your contractor isn’t referencing these or including compliance
How Long Does Cladding Replacement Take?
The time it takes to complete a cladding replacement job depends on a few main things: the size of the building, the Material used, and how complex the site is.
Here’s what we typically see:
| Project Type | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Small single storey home (under 100 m²) | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Standard double storey home (150 to 200 m²) | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Large or complex sites (multi storey or tight access) | 4 to 6 weeks or more |
Fastest Turnaround
Metal cladding and fibre cement systems go up quickest. We can often wrap a single-storey project in about a week and a half if the weather holds and access is straightforward. Pre-primed or pre-painted materials also save drying and painting time on site.
What Can Slow Things Down
- Scaffold setup on sloped or narrow blocks
- Rain delays (especially during Melbourne’s wetter months)
- Waiting on permit approvals or compliance checks
- Discovery of hidden damage once old cladding is removed
- Poor access for deliveries or waste removal
We build buffers into our timelines to deal with the unexpected, but transparent scheduling is part of how we avoid delays and keep clients in the loop.
How To Reduce Cladding Replacement Costs
There’s no dodging the fact that cladding replacement is a major project, but there are ways to bring the cost down without cutting corners.
Go Smart with Material Choice
Materials like Colorbond give you durability, fire compliance, and great aesthetics without the price tag of architectural cladding. We often recommend these to clients who want a sharp result without going overboard.
Combine with Insulation Upgrade
Since the walls are open, it’s the perfect time to install wall insulation or a new moisture barrier. Doing it now saves on future labour and can reduce energy bills down the track.
Avoid Hidden Fees
Make sure your quote includes all the essentials:
- Scaffold
- Waste removal
- Compliance works
- Site protection
We’ve seen too many “cheap” quotes balloon halfway through a project because these weren’t included up front.
Choose a Supply and Install Contractor
Engaging one expert team (like us) to handle everything from material supply to final fit-off often works out cheaper than hiring separate trades for demolition, carpentry, and install. It also means less back and forth, less risk, and clearer communication.
Cladding Quote Checklist
Clear scope of work
What’s being removed? What’s being installed? Does it include insulation, flashing, and painting?
Inclusions and exclusions
Are the scaffold, disposal, and permits included? What might cost extra?
Warranty terms
Are you getting a manufacturer’s warranty and a job guarantee?
Compliance documentation
Will the builder provide fire safety compliance certificates and obtain the necessary building permits?
Material specification
The quote should list the brand, profile, and finish of the cladding Material. No vague descriptions like “metal cladding”.
Want a quote you can actually rely on? We offer transparent, fixed quotes with no surprise fees, and we are happy to walk you through every line of it.
Cladding Services in Melbourne
We’ve been replacing cladding on Melbourne homes for years, from small patch jobs in Brunswick to full facade overhauls in Glen Waverley. Our clients call us when they want straight answers, strong communication, and a job done properly the first time.
Why Homeowners Choose Total Roofing and Cladding
- We handle everything from material supply to final install
- Licensed and insured with work that meets current Victorian compliance laws
- Transparent quoting with no fluff and no hidden costs
- Experienced in fire-rated and non-compliant cladding removal
- Trusted by Melbourne homeowners and builders
Whether you’re replacing timber boards on a heritage home or need to remove outdated composite panels, we’ll tailor the job to suit your timeline, your property, and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest way is to book a professional assessment. Some signs include aluminium composite panels (ACP) with a shiny surface, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam cores, or cladding that hasn’t been updated since before 2018. If you’re in a multi-dwelling building, check with your body corporate. They may already have an audit on file.
Yes. If you take the opportunity to upgrade insulation, use breathable wrap systems, and choose thermally efficient materials, cladding replacement can absolutely improve your home’s energy performance. We often combine these upgrades during a replacement project to reduce energy loss and improve comfort.
There will be some noise during demolition and installation, especially when power tools or scaffolding setup is involved. However, we keep disruption minimal by working in zones, keeping the site clean, and sticking to council-approved working hours. Most of our clients stay in the home throughout the process.
Look for a licensed and insured installer who can provide:
- Fixed quotes
- Clear timelines
- Product warranties
- Recent examples of similar work
- Understanding of Victorian building codes and compliance
Bonus points if they handle both supply and install. It makes the whole process smoother.
Conclusion
Cladding replacement is a big job, no doubt about it. But when it’s done right, it can seriously improve the safety, energy efficiency, and value of your home. Whether you’re dealing with ageing timber, non-compliant panels, or want a cleaner, more modern facade, knowing what it really costs puts you in control.
At Total Roofing and Cladding, we take the guesswork out of the process. We offer honest pricing, high-quality materials, and a fully licensed team that handles everything from start to finish, including compliance, permits, and cleanup.
If you’re ready to receive a proper quote or would like to discuss your options, we’re here to help.
Get in touch for a free, fixed-price cladding replacement quote across Melbourne.
No hidden extras. No sales fluff. Just solid work and straight answers.