[THE AMATUER]

How much should I expect to pay roughly for new guttering, soffits and fascia boards on an average sized 3 bed semi?

Anyone had this done recently or in the business to give a guestimate?

thanks

[Steve.J.Davies]

not recently - but they sure tried it on when we had it done. i got them to start with a smaller segment and get the price for that and then add bits to the spec so I could see the 'component' prices if you get me. the guy thought he was doing well till I told him what his per foot charge was for the sofit boards and asked if David Hockney was coming round to do the job.
The price the guy had been smiling about a minute before then dropped considerably - once he picked his jaw up. Up till then he thought he was on a winner and that at each stage I was staying within budget and was happy with his price.

play it canny - this is hugely profitable business.

I am told a lot of this is done via telesales so another tack may be.
find the nearest telesales office of a big firm that does this and get friendly with a telesales bod - use the same Mcdonalds as them after they 'squad out' or somesuch. they get huge discounts and still make their commission - and it helps their targets.

[Orson]

Again, I can't help with price at the moment, but my inlaws had all theirs replaced last summer, so I'll try & find out what they paid.

However, one point to make, is make sure you clarify what they will actually be doing for the price. Make sure they are going to actually replace the facia & soffit, and not just nail/stick cappings on top of what is already in place.

I know that sounds obvious, but I know a couple of people who went for the cheapest, and got exactly that, nice white pvc stuck on top of rotting timber.

I'll post back later with the price if I can get the info out of the mother in law .

[dc007]

Look to pay only 40 to 50% of the original price that they quote you.

Be prepared to bargain very, very hard. When the salesguy starts to cry, knock another 10% off and you're paying about the right price...

[THE AMATUER]

Originally Posted by dc007

Look to pay only 40 to 50% of the original price that they quote you.

Be prepared to bargain very, very hard. When the salesguy starts to cry, knock another 10% off and you're paying about the right price...

I wasn't going to bother with a double glazing firm as I know they over-inflate their prices. I was going to use a local firm who specialise in soffits etc...

I know there is a huge markup on this sort of work anyway but I would rather pay a decent firm to do the job properly. I'm sure you can always find people to undercut prices but in my experience it normally ends up being a false economy becasue they normally bodge it and cut corners.

[funkyspider]

Make sure the quote includes the cost of scaffolding too and that they specify the amount of time that the scaffolding will be up and if the scaffold at the side of the house needs stabilisers onto a neighbours land that you ask the neighbours.

When they did mine a few years ago the scaffolding was up for bloody ages after the job was finished. I almost had to threaten the scaffolding company with taking it down myself and weighing it in for scrap before they could be bothered to come and take it down.

When my neighbours was done more recently I was sat at home to find they had were propping up the scaffold against my house without even mentioning it - which annoyed me a bit, so I let my dog out to see how fast they could get back over the wall. Pretty quickly actually....

[biggles1958]

Originally Posted by Orson

Again, I can't help with price at the moment, but my inlaws had all theirs replaced last summer, so I'll try & find out what they paid.

However, one point to make, is make sure you clarify what they will actually be doing for the price. Make sure they are going to actually replace the facia & soffit, and not just nail/stick cappings on top of what is already in place.

I know that sounds obvious, but I know a couple of people who went for the cheapest, and got exactly that, nice white pvc stuck on top of rotting timber.

I'll post back later with the price if I can get the info out of the mother in law .

as an architect by training i'm appalled when i see the 'systems' that 'stick' new fascias on top of the old ones

its goes against EVERYTHING in building and common sense?

but this is a quite common approach with customers being basically told a tissue of lies as to why its OK

[Achy]

I was told to budget £50 / m length to remove all existing stuff and to replace with new.

That is for Soffit, Facia and Guttering.

Bear in mind that Black/Brown Soffit and Facia is more expensive than white.
Guttering is same price no matter what colour you go for.

Check how deep the replacment soffit/facia is... the thicker the better, brand names obviously cost more etc.

I had 21m done recently... cost me £750. Although this was on a bungalow so no scaffolding etc needed.

This was using a local roofing company. (Man and his son).

We got quotes off a local company that do double glazing, conservatories, etc.... £2500... although he said he'd come down to £1500 if we gave him the business that day (his year end).

He said if we went to one of the big nationals "Everest" etc then we'd be looking at £5000.

[the whistler]

Depending on the age of your house, your soffits may be made from asbestos which could add greatly to the cost of the job if it has to be professionally removed. However some cowboys may just rip it down at risk to both their health and yours!

[Beobloke]

Our quote 2 weeks ago for a 3 bed semi including scaffolding was £2,600. It's Victorian and bl**dy tall, too.....

[Orson]

Originally Posted by biggles1958

as an architect by training...

Well there you go then. I've worked in the window industry for far too long, so it's what I expect

Originally Posted by biggles1958

its goes against EVERYTHING in building and common sense?

Yep, it does. But it's quick, cheap, and the cowboys that do it can make more money, with less work for them - and unfortunately, this is an aspect of the ethics of 'modern' life that really gets my swear filter active!
And in my experience, each time people have had the stick on stuff done, they weren't aware that is what they were getting.

Back to the OP, I've just found out that the inlaws paid just under £1800. Theirs was a largish 3 bedroom detached, with a gable on the front, which I'm sure adds a bit. They had the woodgrain look-alike foiled facia & soffit, but they seemed to thing that it wasn't much more for that than the white. And it was done by a firm that only do facias & soffits, not a window company with spare time

Hope that helps.

[bobsplace]

Originally Posted by biggles1958

as an architect by training i'm appalled when i see the 'systems' that 'stick' new fascias on top of the old ones

its goes against EVERYTHING in building and common sense?

but this is a quite common approach with customers being basically told a tissue of lies as to why its OK

I couldn'd disagree more.FIRST rule in building is you cant stick strong to weak.
Using "cover" fascia over existing sound timber fascia board is more that totally acceptable.Infact,its a better job than ripping off the timber and fitting 18mm plastic.Timber fascia is an integral member in the roof and gives it strength.
Covering existing fascia is a form of "laminating" which happens throughout the entire home in one way or another from the ground up.

[IronGiant]

There is a however a huge difference between having your soffet/fascia replaced, which is what most of these punters think they are paying for, and having your existing wood covered in a thin layer of plastic in lieu of a repaint. Which as you point out is not inherently wrong, but it is if you think you are paying for something else. Also frequently the woodwork underneath is not sound, so it's just a coverup.

Dave

[bobsplace]

Originally Posted by IronGiant

There is a however a huge difference between having your soffet/fascia replaced, which is what most of these punters think they are paying for, and having your existing wood covered in a thin layer of plastic in lieu of a repaint. Which as you point out is not inherently wrong, but it is if you think you are paying for something else. Also frequently the woodwork underneath is not sound, so it's just a coverup.

Totally agree,BUT,I was replying to a specific post,thats why I quoted it

[IronGiant]

Sorry

By the way, I was recently quoted £900 to have my fascia's "done" from a quick survey (glance at the front of the property). Apart from the fact I have about 70m of fascia (it's a long deep bungalow) it's inch thick timber and has at least 50 years of life left in it. I declined the quote and said I'd ring him when they needed replacing

[HMHB]

I had someone turn up at the door and tell me I'd be stupid if I didn't let him do my bungalow for £200
Don't let some pikey rip you off !

[Lancaster M]

Does the price calculation only concern the length of gutter fascias for front and back of house what about length of Bargeboards at ends of house?
Lancaster

Originally Posted by Achy

I was told to budget £50 / m length to remove all existing stuff and to replace with new.

That is for Soffit, Facia and Guttering.

Bear in mind that Black/Brown Soffit and Facia is more expensive than white.
Guttering is same price no matter what colour you go for.

Check how deep the replacment soffit/facia is... the thicker the better, brand names obviously cost more etc.

I had 21m done recently... cost me £750. Although this was on a bungalow so no scaffolding etc needed.

This was using a local roofing company. (Man and his son).

We got quotes off a local company that do double glazing, conservatories, etc.... £2500... although he said he'd come down to £1500 if we gave him the business that day (his year end).

He said if we went to one of the big nationals "Everest" etc then we'd be looking at £5000.

[neilios]

Most professionals will advise a full strip.

They will most likely remove the first row of tiles above your guttering and fit a rubbery/plastic strip along and under that row.

Also with a full strip fit they should fit thicker fascia boards than is normal for diy, and remove the first row of tiles to the apex (bargeboards) and fit a new zinc under flash.

Fixing to the old fascia board is rough often the timber under the fascia board will be rotten as the old idea was the completly seal the roofspace from the from the outsie air ,we now know that causes decay .

Anyone not advising a full strip is either a misinformed diyer or a dodgy builder in a secondhand ford transit dressed like a tramp.

[luckyb**]

Had ours done about 5 years ago.........

we moved into a property that had all sorts of plants growing out of the gutters, it was in a real state with leaks everywhere.

We had a couple of quotes, one was from a local friend of a friend builder at £1500 and another 'fascias direct/uk/or whatever' type company at £2k that was for complete strip and new products with 10 year warranty etc.

Went with the £2k quote in the end, full scaffolding and all done within 2 days. I was pleased with what they did, still looks new today........

[the whistler]

i priced up doing the job myself on my bungalow and the materials came to around £800. Had a quote from one guy who came knocking on the door and he wanted £2500.

[Deanuz]

Hi I do this for a living and have done so for 10 years since I left school I started off working for everest then zenith and now for myself.
I charge £60per meter including full replacement of existing fascia's, soffit, guttering, new drip felt all labour, removal of rubbish, VAT and a 15 year guarantee.plus I have all my own scaffold towers

so an average 3 bed semi with a 6 meter run at the back and front and a 10 meter gable (22 meters in total) with the down pipes done for free would cost £1320 Fixed and would take no more than 2 days to complete, with no deposit and payment on completion once your totally happy!

Also I only use Swish and marshall-tufflex products. There is not much difference in the products I fit and the products I used to fit when working for everest or zenith. I still install to the same high standard as I always have but the main difference is the price everest and zenith both would charge you between £4000-£6000 for the same Job.

Shop around ask friends and view the work of the company, 80% of my work is through recommendation and my books are full for the next 4 months with work still coming in!

take your time, shop around and dont let yourself get bullied buy the salesman.
Thanks

[Deanuz]

Originally Posted by neilios

Most professionals will advise a full strip.

They will most likely remove the first row of tiles above your guttering and fit a rubbery/plastic strip along and under that row.

Also with a full strip fit they should fit thicker fascia boards than is normal for diy, and remove the first row of tiles to the apex (bargeboards) and fit a new zinc under flash.

Fixing to the old fascia board is rough often the timber under the fascia board will be rotten as the old idea was the completly seal the roofspace from the from the outsie air ,we now know that causes decay .

Anyone not advising a full strip is either a misinformed diyer or a dodgy builder in a secondhand ford transit dressed like a tramp.

Have you heard the expression (if it aint broke, dont fix it!) if the gable is solid there is no need for new undercloaking and you could do more harm then good!
as for zinc its very thin and ive seen companys who just slide this under ur orignal undercloaking give your gable a quick paint with real wet cement mix and charge a fourtune for nothing!

[Lee]

Currently in the process of getting quotes in to have this done. The cheapest so far is £800 with the dearest at £2100. This is to just have plastic put over everything and new gutter.

Had one guy come to give us a quote and he spent so long talking rubbish when all I wanted was a price I told him to go as I've got to take my kids to McDonalds. Never did get a price off them.

[Deanuz]

don't bother getting Ur existing timber capped its a waste of time (and your hard earned money)

say if in two years time your new roofline falls down (a bit extreme I know) and you have had your existing timber capped over, you call the company back in who did the job, assuming you got a guarantee, they WILL NOT put it right for free because the have only guaranteed the product they have put up and not the existing timber.

I have put right so many capped jobs because people think they are getting a bargain when there not

[Lee]

What are the chances of there being a problem after it been just capped? Lots of houses around here have had it done in the last few years and they've all been capped. It's something I need doing soon especially as the guttering may as well not be there, it leaks that much.

[Deanuz]

Originally Posted by leej

What are the chances of there being a problem after it been just capped? Lots of houses around here have had it done in the last few years and they've all been capped. It's something I need doing soon especially as the guttering may as well not be there, it leaks that much.

It all depends on the condition of your existing fascias, if there rotten or starting to rot there's no point. So get up there and have a look for yourself also check a few or your rafter's that the fascias are fixed to to see if there's any signs of rot in them if there is you will need to have it fully replaced any way.

also the wood underneath, if capped can suffer from rot anyway as it is not able to breath and by breath I mean you know that wood expands and contracts, and should any water get behind your capping boards it dont run away as easy as it's really got knowwhere to go and this can cause ur wood to rot quicker then if it was just left bare.
You should have some kind of ventilation incorporated into your roofline that's being installed and in most case,s when capped this does not happen.

price wise you might as well fork out a bit more and have it replaced as then at least you will be guaranteed

plus if you look close on most capping jobs ie out ur bedroom window you can still see some wood anyway and it looks ugly

Hope this helps

[Lee]

Thanks Deanuz, I'm going to have to have a good think about this. I'll get a mate round who'll go up a ladder to have a gander at the wood.

[ps3mad]

Originally Posted by Orson

Again, I can't help with price at the moment, but my inlaws had all theirs replaced last summer, so I'll try & find out what they paid.

However, one point to make, is make sure you clarify what they will actually be doing for the price. Make sure they are going to actually replace the facia & soffit, and not just nail/stick cappings on top of what is already in place.

I know that sounds obvious, but I know a couple of people who went for the cheapest, and got exactly that, nice white pvc stuck on top of rotting timber.



I'll post back later with the price if I can get the info out of the mother in law .

Yeah make sure if you are having new uPVC,that you watch them do the job.I know a few roofers,and its common practice to just nail it over the old rotten timber.If you're not there watching them do the job,you will be paying for something you wont be getting.Now i know all roofers aren't all con men but its shocking how many are.

[Deanuz]

Originally Posted by leej

Thanks Deanuz, I'm going to have to have a good think about this. I'll get a mate round who'll go up a ladder to have a gander at the wood.

Not a problem mate,all advice is free

Just ask your friends and family who have had it done if they can recommend anyone to you, and get as many quotes as you can they should be free!
And make sure you check there work out, get names and address and go knock on the door to make sure it is the same company that done there job that is quoting for yours (I've had people try pass my work off as there own!!)

just out of interest how many meters of roofline in total would you say there was on your house and I will tell you what I would charge

p.s.anyone reading this must know I am not looking to obtain work so please don't ask!
I am only offering my advice on AVFourm to help out those who need it

[Deanuz]

To All

Think of it like this, your house is probably the most expensive thing you will ever own, look after it well and it will look after you!

If someone has quoted you £1500 to replace your roofline and someone else £2000, but you know the later of the two does a real good job, surly it's better to pay the £500 extra just for that piece of mind!, so you don't look at your house when you pull up from work each day with regret as you have opted to go for the cheaper of the two and its not what you hoped for!

Having roofline done properly can increase the value of your house and make it easier to sell!

Look into everyone who gives you a quote and make sure you check there references. knock on doors and ring around!

check the product your buying, ask to see samples and make sure when they come to do your job you check the materials again that they have brought!

expect to pay anywhere between £50-£70per meter for replacement and make sure you know what this price per meter includes!

Always haggle! most company's will knock a bit off, offer cash, or part cash part check and most company's will knock the VAT straight off as then it don't go through the books because they don't have to pay tax on that job!!!

Get a 10year minimum guarantee. Put in writing, even if you are paying cash a good fitter will still guarantee his work and above all his reputation!

Take the time off work whilst having it done, I know it may be hard but at least you can check to see what is going on and that all OK. A good fitter wont mind you watching over them! ( I don't mind! ) plus it is YOUR house, and its always handy to have someone round to make you a nice hot cup of tea on a freezing cold day

Feel free to ask me any questions you may have, I do this for a living and will be happy to help