How much does recladding a house cost in NZ in 2026?
Short answer
Recladding a NZ house in 2026 typically runs $1,500-3,500 per m² of external wall depending on cladding choice, scaffolding, and access. A 200 m² house with ~150 m² external wall area lands at $250-500k for a full reclad. Auckland and Wellington trend toward the top of the range. Add 20-40% if the underlying framing is rot-damaged and needs replacement.
Key facts
- $1,500-3,500/m² of external wall
- Typical 200 m² house: $250-500k full reclad
- Scaffolding alone: $10-30k for a typical job
- Framing rot adds 20-40% to the budget
- Building consent required
- Council inspections at framing exposure, midway, and final
What drives cost
Cladding material: weatherboards (cheapest), brick veneer, fibre-cement sheets, plaster systems (now usually with a cavity), Linea.
Scaffolding: required for any two-storey or eaves-high work. $10-30k typical depending on duration and complexity.
Framing condition: invasive check after cladding removal. If 30%+ of the framing is rot-affected, the job grows fast.
Windows and joinery: often replaced at the same time (logical given the wall is exposed). Add $20-80k.
Process and consents
Building consent required. The consent application includes engineer's report on the existing structure plus the new cladding design.
Inspections: at scaffold, at cladding removal (framing exposed), at midway, at final. Don't expect to finish in less than 12-16 weeks.
If your reclad is a leaky-home remediation, document everything — for insurance, future resale, and any contribution claim.
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Sources: Master Builders reclad cost guidance; Specialist remediation builder quotes 2025-2026. General information for NZ homeowners, not legal advice — building rules change and vary by council, so confirm critical details on the official source before acting. Last updated 2026-05.