How much should it cost to get soffits replaced?

easy

We live in a 4 bed detatched house, which has soffits that are starting to break up.

We had a couple of quotes done earlier this year, which came in at around £2000 to £2500 (much more than I expected). I realise that the whoever does the job has to dispose of the old material, which I'm told (by one of the quoters) is asbestos, so is expensive to deal with.

Because we don't have 2 grand to spend, (still paying off the £5000 our double glazing cost us in sept 2007) we haven't had the job done.

One of the companies has just rung, to say they have just had 2 contracts cancelled, and want work to fill the time. They want to come back and requote (hmm, my scepticism emerging now, re the original quotes).

So just how much should soffits cost?

easy

Oh and please don't suggest we try DIY.

I'm disabled, and DH is a software developer, who has NO practical skills at all, and can't stand heights

thebaldwindowfitter

the original quotes i would say are about right if they are doing total replacement of fascias soffits and guttering using at least 19mm fascias and 10mm soffit board in white upvc .if they mention covering the existing dont do it

Tahiti

We were quoted £2,750+ for a 4 bed detached recently (that's strip out and replace, rather than cover existing). I too was surprised by the cost.

easy

well, I'm afraid it's out of our league at the moment then.

I also want to get the Laylandii stripped out from all round our garden, and replaced with a decent fence, but I reckon thats another thousand.
Home ownership's a pain really, isn't it?

d900

3 bed house
front and back
swish products.
1280

from the only window company in the SE i recommend

bigdoozer

soffit board are 5 mtr long and cost £15, facias £21, but it's the staff and profit that costs. There is a school of thought that pvcu should be put over existing wood giving it a solid support, others say strip off all existing wood, but this can cause bowing. Many co's use no-nails or silicone to fix many parts, this will dry out and perish. My penny's worth: the wooden ones have lasted 25-40 years, and you are replacing with pvcu that fades after 10 years, can not be cleaned very well after 15 and is brittle after 25.
use pvc as a decorative cover and negotiate down, your 'cancelled contract' supplier will be so desperate to fill the time.... he should go down a few more quids. OH! £2000 + is average, one client of ours paid £11,000 with Everest for 30 mtrs of soffits and gutters etc.... now thats expensive.

easy

bigdoozer wrote: »

soffit board are 5 mtr long and cost £15, facias £21, but it's the staff and profit that costs. There is a school of thought that pvcu should be put over existing wood giving it a solid support, others say strip off all existing wood, but this can cause bowing. Many co's use no-nails or silicone to fix many parts, this will dry out and perish. My penny's worth: the wooden ones have lasted 25-40 years, and you are replacing with pvcu that fades after 10 years, can not be cleaned very well after 15 and is brittle after 25.
use pvc as a decorative cover and negotiate down, your 'cancelled contract' supplier will be so desperate to fill the time.... he should go down a few more quids. OH! £2000 + is average, one client of ours paid £11,000 with Everest for 30 mtrs of soffits and gutters etc.... now thats expensive.

Thanks BigDozer, that is informative help

thebaldwindowfitter

bigdoozer wrote: »

soffit board are 5 mtr long and cost £15, facias £21, but it's the staff and profit that costs. There is a school of thought that pvcu should be put over existing wood giving it a solid support, others say strip off all existing wood, but this can cause bowing. Many co's use no-nails or silicone to fix many parts, this will dry out and perish. My penny's worth: the wooden ones have lasted 25-40 years, and you are replacing with pvcu that fades after 10 years, can not be cleaned very well after 15 and is brittle after 25.
use pvc as a decorative cover

RUBBISH the worst thing you can do is over cover fascias and soffits because any rot which is usually behind the existing fascia is hidden .your idea of cost must be based on cover boards .we have been installing the swish jumbo 20mm total replacement board now for 19 years and have not come across any of your downfalls to fitting upvc fascias and soffits

LizzieS_2

Always ask for a detailed quote, ie what is being removed, what replaced (exact sizes, amounts etc).

Take yourself to the nearest DIY shop to price up the materials - that way you know how much is labour.

Asbestos is not pricey to dispose of, the local council will collect (possibly for a small fee) if you can talk a friend/relative/neighbour into taking it all down for you (must wear a mask and keep windows shut). A company on the other hand may be charged more because they will use this service more frequently than individuals.

Even if you cannot find some-one to do the work for you (who you trust) then any effort you make in removing the old material should make them give you a lower quote for labour etc.

thebaldwindowfitter

"Asbestos is not pricey to dispose of, the local council will collect (possibly for a small fee) if you can talk a friend/relative/neighbour into taking it all down for you (must wear a mask and keep windows shut). A company on the other hand may be charged more because they will use this service more frequently than individuals."

have you not heard the adverts asbestos is a killer.my wifes friend died from asbestosis and she never worked with asbestos - just washed her husbands overalls each week.things you dont seem to take into account when you go on about labour costs is health and safety scafolding etc you must rememeber that companies working at height pay higher employee insurance and public liabilty .like anything else there is a huge difference in cost between product brands