Cladding replacement & recladding / carpentry
Building partnerships, one call at a time.
Specialised cladding replacement & high-access carpentry in Melbourne
Fixing or replacing the cladding on a tall building takes two things at once: a way to reach the facade, and tradespeople who can do the carpentry and structural work when they get there. Scaffolding is often too slow, too costly, or simply will not fit, so we work the exterior by rope access, moving up and down the walls to the tight spots a lift cannot hold, and doing the repair or the install without shutting the site down.
Most of what we are asked for is recladding, weatherproofing and structural maintenance. Recladding is taking down old panels that are worn or no longer meet the building rules and fitting new ones so they sit right and stay put. Weatherproofing is sealing the leaks and fitting new material so the facade keeps rain and wind out. The structural side is the carpentry and building repairs that have to be done at height.
What we work with
We handle the common facade and cladding materials: metal cladding like Colorbond and aluminium, weatherboard and timber facades that need carpentry, and composite cement, plastic and vinyl panels, along with the structural repairs a facade inspection turns up. Off ropes the install has a small footprint on the ground and keeps the disruption down compared with building scaffolding.
Safety on construction work
Cladding replacement and carpentry count as construction work, so they run to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and the OHS Regulations 2017. Any job with a fall risk over two metres has a Safe Work Method Statement written first, setting out hazards like falls and falling objects and the controls for them. Our technicians are IRATA/ARAA certified, trained to the ARAA competency standard and in rescue. Rope access is a Level 3 control, used when scaffolding or an EWP (Level 2) is not practical. Because taking panels off and putting them up drops tools and debris, we guardrail or screen the drop zone so nothing falls to the street.
What it costs
We quote on the site. The price moves on the height and complexity of the building, the material and the scope from minor repairs through to full recladding, the access and any certified anchor work it needs, and how much demolition or prep, such as cleaning the facade, has to happen first. Send us the building and what the cladding needs, and we will quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do high-access cladding replacement and carpentry technicians hold?
Our technicians hold IRATA/ARAA certifications, ensuring they are trained in specialised rope access techniques and emergency procedures, which are mandatory for Level 3 control work positioning systems. Our team combines carpentry and installation expertise with strict adherence to safety standards, ensuring every job meets OHS and Safety Management System requirements.
Why is industrial rope access preferred over scaffolding for recladding high-rise buildings in Melbourne?
Industrial rope access (abseiling) is favored for its better accessibility and efficiency in the Melbourne market. While scaffolding is a passive fall prevention measure (Level 2), it is often impractical for tall buildings due to high cost, extended setup time, and an inability to access complex or narrow facade elements. Rope access allows for greater flexibility and precision in applying materials during abseiling cladding installation.
Does high-rise cladding replacement require a safe work method statement (SWMS) in Victoria?
Yes, cladding replacement or alteration is classified as construction work. If the work involves a risk of a person falling more than two metres, a full Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is mandatory and must be prepared before work begins. This document outlines all hazards, risks, and control measures for the high-risk work, including the dangers of falling objects.
What types of cladding materials can you install and repair via rope access?
We have the expertise to work on various facade materials, including metal facades (like Colorbond or aluminium), weatherboard and wooden facades, and composite materials such as composite cement and plastic facades. Rope access provides the necessary precision for secure installation and sealing work on window frames and structural joints.
How does your service address the risk of falling materials during recladding projects?
Since recladding involves the removal and installation of materials at height, falling objects are a major hazard. We mitigate this risk by implementing strict administrative controls and protective measures, such as securing tools and organising work sequencing. We also ensure perimeter protection systems, like screens or guardrails, are in place to contain falling debris and tools, protecting both workers and the public below.
WHY US
What you get with every job
IRATA/ARAA-certified technicians on every job, with rescue and work-positioning competencies.
Rope access means no structure on the ground, no permits for hoardings and no closed footpaths.
Public Liability cover and WorkCover for every employee - details supplied with the quote.
You get a documented scope, a Safe Work Method Statement and a photo report on completion.
Our crews have worked on ropes since 2013, with more than 100 years of combined experience across the team - and every job runs to written contract terms.
What affects the price of cladding replacement & recladding / carpentry
Every building is quoted after we have seen it. These are the factors that move the number up or down - ask us about any of them and we will explain how they apply to your site.
| Height and access method | Rope access, elevated work platform or suspended platform - the method is chosen for the building, and it sets the crew size and setup time. |
| Surface area and condition | Heavy soiling, salt, traffic film or construction residue take longer and need specialised products. |
| Facade complexity | Recesses, angled or domed glazing, tight gaps between buildings and heritage detailing all slow the descent down. |
| Access and anchor points | Buildings with certified anchor points are quicker to set up. If there are none, temporary systems or installation are quoted separately. |
| Scheduling | Work outside trading hours, staged access or occupied tenancies affect the programme. Regular maintenance cycles are cheaper per visit than one-off jobs. |
Quotes are free and carry no obligation. Where the work is subject to a compliance requirement, the quote states which standard it is carried out to.
Suburbs we cover
We work across greater Melbourne - from CBD towers to bayside and outer-suburban sites. If your suburb is not on the list, ask anyway: our crews travel across the metropolitan area and regularly work in regional Victoria.
Aberfeldie · Airport West · Armadale · Balaclava · Balwyn · Beaumaris · Bentleigh · Bentleigh East · Blairgowrie · Brighton · Brighton East · Brunswick · Carnegie · Caroline Springs · Caulfield · Caulfield North · Caulfield South · CBD · Chadstone · Coburg · Dandenong · Daylesford · Eltham · Elwood · Essendon · Footscray · Frankston · Gardenvale · Gisborne · Glenbervie · Glen Iris · Glenroy · Greenvale · Hampton · Heidelberg · Hillside · Ivanhoe · Keilor · Kew · Lilydale · Lower Plenty · Malvern · Malvern East · Maribyrnong · Melton · Moonee Ponds · Northcote · Oakleigh · Oak Park · Officer · Ormond · Parkville · Pascoe Vale · Port Melbourne · Prahran · Preston · Reservoir · Rye · St Kilda · St Kilda East · Strathmore · Sunbury · Sunshine · Taylors Hill · Toorak · Tarneit · Wantirna · Werribee · Williamstown
FROM SITE
Recent work & articles
Gutter and roof cleaning before Melbourne storm season
Blocked gutters and a dirty roof cause most of the storm damage that ends up as a repair bill for owners. Here are typical costs, how long the work takes on a tall building, and what happens if you leave it until the first October storm.
Builders clean before handover: what site managers get wrong
A builders clean is the last step before keys change hands, and it is where most handover delays start. This guide sets out what the clean must cover, what it typically costs in Melbourne, how long it takes and the mistakes that push the handover date back. You finish with a checklist you can put in front of the cleaning contractor before anyone signs off.
How often should a high rise facade be inspected
This guide gives you the inspection intervals that apply to Melbourne towers, what triggers an extra check, and what a facade inspection actually covers. You will also find what it costs and how to plan the spend.
Why cleaning your gutters and roof in winter saves your home come spring
Melbourne winter rain finds every blocked gutter. What clogged gutters do to a roof, when to clear them, and how the work is done safely at height.
Twelve questions that separate a real height safety contractor from a cheap quote
Twelve questions to ask before accepting a height safety or rope access quote in Melbourne - and the answer to each one that should worry you.
Does cleaning solar panels pay for itself in Melbourne?
Dirty solar panels cost Melbourne homes 5-20% output. See 6.6 kW calculations, AUD payback, and when cleaning is not worth it.
