Getting your garden and landscaping ready before a renderer arrives is one of the best things you can do to protect your property and help the job run smoothly. Rendering involves cement-based or acrylic coatings that can seriously damage plants, paving, and garden features if precautions aren't taken. A little preparation beforehand can save you a lot of heartache — and money — once the work is done.
Talk to Your Renderer First
Before you move a single pot plant, have a conversation with your renderer about the scope of the job. Ask them:
- Which walls or areas will be worked on?
- How far out from the wall will scaffolding, equipment, and materials be set up?
- How long will the job take?
- Will they be using a spray application (which carries overspray risk) or hand-applying the render?
Spray rendering in particular can send fine mist several metres from the wall, so knowing the method helps you plan your protection zone. A good renderer will walk the site with you and flag any concerns. You can find qualified local renderers on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Clear a Working Zone Around the Walls
Renderers need clear, safe access to every wall they're working on. As a general guide, clear at least 1.5–2 metres from the base of the wall, though scaffolding may require more space. Remove or relocate:
- Pot plants, garden ornaments, and outdoor furniture
- Garden tools, hoses, and irrigation equipment
- Firewood stacks or stored materials
- Children's play equipment near the work area
If you have raised garden beds built against the house, discuss with your renderer whether they need to be temporarily dismantled or whether protective sheeting will suffice.
Protect In-Ground Plants and Garden Beds
This is where most homeowners get caught out. Render splatter and wash-off water are highly alkaline and can burn foliage, damage roots, and alter soil pH — potentially killing established plants. Here's how to protect them:
- Cover plants with breathable fabric (shade cloth or hessian) rather than plastic, which can cause heat stress. Secure it so wind doesn't blow it off.
- Lay heavy-duty polythene sheeting over garden beds directly adjacent to the wall, weighted down at the edges.
- Water plants well the day before work starts — well-hydrated plants are more resilient.
- For precious or irreplaceable specimens, consider temporarily potting them up and moving them to a safe area.
Check with your renderer how they plan to manage wash-down water, as this alkaline runoff should not be directed into garden beds or stormwater drains. BRANZ has useful guidance on managing construction site runoff.
Cover Hard Landscaping and Surfaces
Render splatter is stubborn stuff — it bonds to paving, concrete paths, timber decking, and natural stone surprisingly quickly. Protect these surfaces with:
- Polythene drop sheets taped or weighted at the edges
- Cardboard for light protection on paths (though it won't hold up to heavy splatter)
- Timber boards laid over delicate pavers or tiles
Pay particular attention to:
- Exposed aggregate concrete — render is very difficult to remove from textured surfaces
- Natural stone paving — some stones are porous and can stain permanently
- Timber decking — render can discolour and damage timber finishes
Manage Irrigation Systems
If you have an in-ground irrigation system, mark the locations of pop-up heads and valve boxes clearly with stakes or flags before work begins. Scaffolding feet and heavy foot traffic can crack or crush irrigation components that aren't visible. Turn off the system for the duration of the job to avoid accidentally wetting fresh render.
Protect Fences, Gates, and Boundary Features
If rendering is happening on a wall close to a fence or boundary, cover timber or painted fences with drop sheets. Discuss with your renderer whether any boundary fencing needs to be temporarily removed to allow access — and agree in writing who is responsible for reinstating it.
Lawn and Turf Care
Scaffolding and heavy foot traffic will compact and damage lawn areas. Consider:
- Laying scaffold boards or plywood sheets as walkways to spread the load
- Accepting that some lawn repair may be needed after the job — and budgeting for it
- Mowing the lawn short before work starts so it's easier to clean up render debris afterwards
After the Job: Garden Recovery
Once rendering is complete, remove all protective sheeting promptly — especially plastic, which can smother plants. Rinse foliage that may have been exposed to render dust with clean water. If soil pH has been affected by alkaline runoff, a soil test (available from garden centres) can tell you whether you need to apply a soil acidifier.
When to Call a Professional
Rendering itself is skilled trade work — achieving a consistent, weathertight finish that meets the NZ Building Code (particularly Clause E2 External Moisture) requires experience and the right materials. If your home has fibre cement or James Hardie substrates, the render system must be compatible and applied correctly to maintain weathertightness warranties. Always use a qualified renderer, and check whether your project requires a building consent — your local council is the right place to confirm this. Licensed Building Practitioners can be verified at lbp.govt.nz.
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
