Renders have become very popular in recent times, adorning many residential properties and commercial buildings across London and the UK.
New renders look fantastic, adding style, character and beauty to many properties.
However, it can become grubby over time. Dirty render presents a different picture; algae, moss, mould, grime and carbon deposits make the surface look grubby and neglected, spoiling your property's appearance.
The best way to combat this is by engaging a professional render cleaning company, like the London Power Washing Team. But before you do this, you'll want to know how much this service costs!
There are several factors to consider, so we'll dive into these one by one to provide a full answer.
As a professional cleaning company based in the London area, we recognise that prices for goods and services are generally higher than elsewhere. There are many reasons for this, but one factor is the overvaluation of property, estimated to be as high as 50%.
High rents, steep business rates and the monopolisation of property ownership also play a role, along with other factors that make life in London very expensive.
This has to be remembered when checking prices for render cleaning services in the London region.
With this in mind, let's break down the main issues affecting the cost:
The first - and most obvious - is the size of the area to be cleaned; the larger the surface area, the higher the cost.
So, the render cleaning cost for a detached house with more exposed exterior surfaces will typically be higher than a terraced house with only two exterior surfaces.
This is because the render cleaning team has to use more materials and devote more time to completing the project, resulting in higher labour costs.
Additionally, large buildings often require specialised equipment for safe and effective cleaning. For multi-storey buildings, scaffolding, cherry pickers, or even abseiling services may be necessary to reach higher sections of the façade. The cost of hiring this equipment or employing skilled workers to use it can significantly raise the price of the project. In contrast, smaller or single-storey buildings can usually be cleaned more quickly and easily with standard equipment, making the job more affordable.
The complexity of a building's exterior surfaces can also affect the project, as intricate architectural details, multiple elevations, or awkwardly shaped areas require extra care and time to clean properly. Safe access to difficult-to-reach spots can be labour-intensive, and this complexity often adds to the total cost.
Several different render options are available, including monocouche, K-Rend and silicone render, and some of these require specific cleaning methods.
While they're all pretty tough and durable, they can easily be damaged by using the wrong technique.
Here are the more popular examples along with a brief description:
Cement render, typically made from a mixture of sand, cement, and water, is widely used in the UK and has been popular for decades. It is durable but porous, making it prone to absorbing dirt, algae, and moisture over time.
Lime render is a breathable material commonly found in older or heritage buildings. It allows moisture to evaporate, preventing damp problems, but it is more fragile than modern cement renders.
Monocouche render is a modern, single-coat through-coloured render, which means the pigment is added during the manufacturing process, so the colour runs throughout the material. It is typically made from a cement-based mixture and is popular for its ease of application and low maintenance.
Silicone render is a high-performance, breathable, and flexible render that is resistant to cracking. It is often self-cleaning, meaning that rainwater can naturally wash away dirt to some extent. However, it can still accumulate stains from algae or pollutants over time.
Acrylic render is a flexible, synthetic option often applied as a finishing coat over existing renders. It is durable and less prone to cracking due to its flexibility, but like other renders, it can attract dirt and algae.
K-Rend is a specific brand of through-coloured silicone-based render. It is popular for its long-lasting and low-maintenance finish but can still accumulate surface dirt, algae, and staining in damp environments.
Each of these options requires special cleaning techniques to ensure the best outcome and to avoid damaging the render surface.
We'll explore the different cleaning methods in a moment.
Render with heavy staining, thick grime or an accumulation of organic matter (such as green algae) will require more intensive methods, raising the cleaning costs. In some cases, extra cleaning products and materials - including powerful chemicals to shift stubborn stains - will have to be used.
Mild staining and light dirt can be removed fairly easily, so the render cleaning project will be completed pretty quickly.
During the inspection and assessment, the render surface is checked for any damage. Filling gaps and repairing damaged areas will add to the cost.
Professional cleaners employ a range of cleaning methods to get your property's render spotless, and the cost range may vary for each one.
Let's take a closer look at these to get an idea of what's involved:
The softwash process combines the use of low-pressure pumps and cleaning solutions (usually water, mild bleach and surfactants) to gently remove dirt from more delicate surfaces where pressure washing or harsher treatments are not possible.
Steam cleaning uses low-pressure steam to get the render clean. Water is heated to between 93ºC and 148ºC and forced through a special nozzle (sometimes with a brush) to remove dirt, grime, mould and organic matter.
It's a highly effective method that kills moss, mould and algae spores, making future growth much less likely.
Similar to steam cleaning, DOFF uses super-heated steam (around 150ºC) to get the job done. Despite the extreme heat, it's suitable for more delicate surfaces and ideal for most types of render cleaning.
Cleaning solutions can be used but are rarely needed, making DOFF cleaning a more environmentally friendly option. It also uses much less water during the process, adding to its green credentials.
Made by the same company as DOFF, a TORC cleaning machine uses a mix of water, fine granulate and air with a specially adapted nozzle that creates a swirling vortex motion.
This ingenious device can gently remove dirt without causing any harm to the render surface.
This is the most basic method - a high-pressure jet of water strips away dirt and grime in no time at all! However, contrary to popular belief, it takes skill and precision to use pressure washers, and it's easy to damage the render surface if you're not careful.
Take a look at our post "How much does pressure washing cost in London".
A handy method that allows the technicians to work from ground level. Water is piped through, along with cleaning solutions, that clean the render without the need for elevated platforms or scaffolding. This is better suited to light dirt rather than stubborn stains.
As we're talking about London, we need to consider the additional problem of parking fees, restrictions and congestion charges. Parking can be a nightmare in London streets, and we need a suitable parking place for our vehicles.
We also need to bear in mind any access or parking problems when arranging to bring in equipment such as cherry pickers or DOFF/TORC systems.
Making special arrangements may add to the overall cleaning costs.
For most methods, the cleaning team require access to water in order to carry out the task. If this is not available for whatever reason, alternative arrangements will be needed which may add to the cost.
Labour costs tend to be higher in London, due to the high cost of living. Even routine services, such as render cleaning, will necessarily be more expensive due to this.
Labour makes up a significant portion of the render cleaning cost, typically around 50-60% of the total cost.
Wastewater is strictly monitored in many urban areas (particularly in central London) to reduce the risk of flooding.
This means that render cleaning companies have to be careful when using methods like pressure washing, which can use a lot of water during the cleaning process.
Fees may apply when arranging for special equipment to collect the contaminated water and any associated debris.
After cleaning, you can choose to have a special treatment or coating applied to your render. This keeps it clean for longer and inhibits algae, moss, lichen, etc. from growing back.
Most of these companies, like the London Power Washing Team, are professional cleaners. This means they can all your hard exterior surfaces, including driveways, decks, gutters, windows, patios, conservatories, etc., as well as your render!
These services will be extra, adding to your render cleaning costs.
Now we've covered most of the factors affecting the cost of cleaning render, let's check out some figures.
Most of the companies offering render cleaning services in the UK charge per square metre.
It's essential to be wary of anyone charging a very low rate; anything lower than £2 per square metre should raise your suspicion.
Again, because we're dealing with the London area, we're going to be looking at the higher end when it comes to the average price.
Taking into account all of the factors above, here are a few case studies that illustrate the potential cost of cleaning your render:
Ideally, render cleaning should form part of your regular maintenance schedule, whether dealing with domestic or commercial buildings.
A home never looks its best with dirty render, and a business can lose custom if the exterior is grubby and unappealing.
Render cleaning is a fantastic investment, vastly improving the outside of your property and boosting its kerb appeal.
The London Power Washing Team can dramatically transform your render, along with other exterior surfaces, to make your property shine.
Contact us today to book your session!
