If you're planning exterior cladding work in Feltwell, choosing the right contractor from the start will save you money, stress and the need to have the job redone.
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Exterior cladding is a layer of material fixed to the outside walls of your home. It forms a barrier against rain, wind and frost while giving the property a cleaner, more finished look. Timber, composite and fibre cement are the three materials most homeowners choose between, and each behaves differently over the years.
Timber cladding looks warm and natural but needs periodic treatment to resist moisture. Composite boards are engineered to resist rot and swelling without much maintenance. Fibre cement is hard-wearing and holds its colour well, and it sits flat against the wall without the movement you sometimes get with natural timber.
Getting the material choice right matters, but getting the installation right matters even more. Poorly fitted cladding traps moisture behind the boards, which leads to damp walls, damaged battens and, eventually, a much bigger repair bill than the original job cost.
Cladding sits at the junction of your walls, your roof line and your guttering. A roofer who understands all three is better placed to do this work than a general handyman or a painter who has branched out. The flashings, the reveals around windows and doors, and the way water is directed off the finished surface all need to be thought through before the first board goes up.
In Feltwell, as anywhere, you will find a range of people quoting for this type of work. The difference in price between quotes can be significant, and the cheapest is rarely the best value once you factor in the quality of fixings, the thickness of the battening and whether a proper ventilation gap has been left behind the cladding.
Ask these questions of every contractor you speak to. The answers tell you a great deal about whether they understand the work properly.
Ask at least three contractors for written quotes that break down materials and labour separately. A quote that gives you a single total figure with no breakdown makes it impossible to compare like for like. When you receive quotes, check that each one specifies the same material, the same board profile and the same scope of preparatory work.
If one quote is substantially lower than the others, ask the contractor to walk you through how they have costed the job. Sometimes the price is lower because they have genuinely found a more efficient way to work. More often, something has been left out of the scope.
Be cautious about paying large deposits upfront. A reasonable stage payment is normal on a bigger job, but you should never pay more than the value of materials that need to be ordered before work starts.
Before any boards go on, the wall should be checked for damp, the existing surface should be assessed and any defects dealt with. Battens are fixed to create an even, level surface for the cladding. A breather membrane is normally fitted behind the battening on timber-framed walls to manage any moisture that gets past the cladding.
Boards are fixed from the bottom up, each one overlapping or interlocking with the one below. Every cut end is sealed. Reveals around windows and doors are formed neatly, with no raw edges exposed to the weather. Flashings are fitted at the top where the cladding meets the roof or eaves. The guttering is checked and refixed or adjusted if needed.
When the job is complete, you should be able to see clearly that there are no gaps at any junction, that the boards sit flat and even, and that water has a clear path off the face of the cladding without pooling anywhere.
Cladding work often makes sense alongside fascia and soffit renewal, since the scaffolding or access equipment is already in place. Guttering can be inspected and replaced at the same time for the same reason. If the contractor is on site with access to the full wall elevation, it is worth asking them to inspect the condition of the roof edge, the flashing details and any verge tiles at the same time.
We carry out exterior cladding installations and repairs in Feltwell and the surrounding area, working in timber, composite and fibre cement. Cladding has to integrate with the roof line, the guttering and the flashings above it, so look for a contractor who understands how these elements fit together.
If you have a cladding project in mind or you want someone to look at an existing installation that is giving you trouble, call us to arrange a roof and cladding survey so we can give you an honest assessment of what the work involves.
How long does exterior cladding last? Fibre cement cladding typically lasts several decades with minimal maintenance. Quality composite boards have a similarly long service life. Timber needs periodic treatment but can last just as long when properly maintained.
Does cladding need planning permission? In most cases, replacing or adding cladding to a house falls under permitted development, but there are exceptions for listed buildings, properties in conservation areas and some flat developments. Check with your local planning authority before starting work if you are unsure.
Can cladding be fitted in winter? Most cladding materials can be installed year-round, but adhesive sealants and some coatings have minimum temperature requirements. A competent contractor will plan around forecast conditions.
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