How much does commercial cladding spraying cost?

The short answer

Commercial cladding spraying does not have one reliable fixed price per square metre. The final quotation depends on the condition of the existing cladding, the preparation required, access, building size, coating specification, colour change and the amount of masking needed. Two buildings with the same wall area can therefore require very different levels of work.

What has the biggest effect on cost?

Surface condition normally makes the greatest difference. Sound cladding that mainly needs cleaning and controlled preparation is very different from a building with peeling plastisol, exposed metal, corrosion, damaged sheets or failed previous repairs.

• Total sprayable area and building height
• Condition of the existing factory coating
• Corrosion treatment, repairs and priming
• Scaffold, powered access or restricted access
• Windows, signs, vehicles and neighbouring surfaces that need protection
• Selected coating system, colour and required finish
• Site operating hours and phasing around staff or customers

Why the lowest square-metre price can be misleading

A low headline rate may exclude cleaning, access equipment, masking, repairs, primers or the number of coats needed. Comparing only a square-metre figure can hide the work that protects adhesion and coating life. A useful quotation should state what preparation and coating stages are included.

What Apex checks before quoting

Apex assesses the substrate, approximate dimensions, access, contamination, loose coatings, corrosion, surrounding areas and the finish the client wants. Photographs can help with an initial assessment, but a site visit may be needed where condition, access or repairs cannot be judged reliably from images.

• Building location and approximate dimensions
• Clear photographs of every elevation
• Close-up photographs of peeling, rust or damage
• The current and preferred colour
• Any access restrictions or working-hour requirements

Getting an accurate quotation

Send the building location, photographs and a short description of the work by WhatsApp or direct email to Apex. We can then identify the information still needed and provide a quotation based on the actual building rather than an unrealistic generic rate.

Why preparation changes the scope: Fairline and Leeds

At Fairline’s boatyard in Oundle, several days of scraping and sanding were needed to remove failed paint before the RAL 8017 Chocolate Brown finish. The condition of the old coating made preparation a substantial part of that job. A similarly sized elevation with sound existing paint would not necessarily require the same labour.

At the former Travis Perkins site in Leeds, the scope extended beyond cladding to trims, shutters, fencing, barriers and internal blockwork. Epoxy primer and Selemix Direct two-pack polyurethane were used on relevant prepared substrates, with a separate coating for the masonry. Comparing that complete refurbishment with a cladding-only price would overlook much of the work.

What your written quotation should identify

Compare quotations against the same list of surfaces, preparation and access requirements. Ask which repairs are included, what remains excluded and how additional defects discovered after cleaning will be discussed before extra work is agreed.

• Included elevations and building details, with colours and sheen
• Cleaning, failed-coating removal, corrosion treatment and priming
• Proposed finish system, access and protection arrangements
• Working hours, phasing, weather allowances and return to service
• Price, payment terms, exclusions and applicable guarantee conditions