Fascia and soffit replacement - two questions!

durelli_tyres

When getting new Soffits and Guttering I notice some people get it replaced with plastic and others just get the original wooden bits wrapped in a plastic cover.

Which is best?

I'd assume the wood wrapped in plastic will still rot and fail over time?

docmatt

durelli_tyres wrote: »

When getting new Soffits and Guttering I notice some people get it replaced with plastic and others just get the original wooden bits wrapped in a plastic cover.

Which is best?

I'd assume the wood wrapped in plastic will still rot and fail over time?

Yes i assume you mean get the wood capped with 9mm plastic.
Total replacement is better where the wood is completely removed.

Bonz

I just had a quote for my 4 bed detached, a total of 56m of replacement fascias/soffits, incl. all rainwater goods, using 18mm white PVC eaves board and 9mm soffit, with concealed vents, etc. as previously mentioned.
Price from a recommended East Midlands independent contractor (who has done two friends' houses) was £2475 incl VAT (= £44.20/m) :beer:

aym280

caitybabes wrote: »

We're in a 3 bed semi and just had Zenith in for a quote for soffits, fascias and guttering.
1st price (guaranteed for 2 years): £5675 (10% off if you use their 'lifestyle' plan to pay monthly (1.93% interest)
2nd price (which includes subsidies for having a Zenith advertising board outside our house for 4 weeks): £3883
3rd price (after a call to the manager, who then called his manager! which includes subsidies for having advertising board outside our house for 8 weeks and us writing a letter of recommendation): £2320.
...

Just adding this in case it is helpful to someone else getting quotes, we're going to look for some companies who won't give us the hard sell and will give us an honest quote in the first place.

There are so many cowboy companies out there. Everest came to me and said would come back to me with a quote for a 5.6m x 3m glass roof lean-to and I have not heard a beep. Opus came and the man was late and phoned telling me that he was late. He was in my house for 4 hours and I did not see any CAD or he just talked about his trip and things rather irrelevant. I stood for 4 hours and had a very good night sleep. I have not heard a beep either. Then Zenith came and quote me upwards of £9000 for a semi detached gutter and the boards underneath replacement; and £41,000 for the lean to with two brick walls on either side. They then dropped to £26,000 which I could have used to have an extension built. What a sheer waste of time and the prices were comical. They kept saying they would phone their senior to get a good price IF I agreed to the deal. This practice of asking clients to sign the very first day they come to give a free quote should be outlawed.
Another company came and the woman with funky glass said the same thing: If I agree to the deal, she will talk to her senior to lower the £26,000 quote. What a farce! I would like to ask conservatory tradespeople out there: How much is it to dig a foundation, with two man-holes in the the existing lean-to (existing lean-to 5.4 x 2.2m) to 3 metres i.e. 5.6 x 3 m with dwarf walls and glass roof and French doors please? Include plumbing for a washing machine, a dishwasher, the waste pipes are already in the lean-to and the utilities currently on the other side of the lean-to wall, and 5 double sockets. Two of which are already in place? Please bear in mind I live in Ilford/east London. With sales people like this ... the future of this country is bright!? Any help or funny anecdotes appreciated.

I might not look very clever, but I am not stupid!

Nats70

Top 10 things to ask your tradesman
When you are talking to a tradesman about your job it is important to ask the right questions to make sure the tradesperson you choose to carry out the work is right for you. Below are FindaTrade's top ten questions to ask your tradesman:

1. Do you have appropriate and sufficient public liability insurance to undertake the job?

It is important to check your tradesman has up to date public liability insurance. The insurance must cover them for the type of work they are undertaken as well as to the value appropriate for any consequential damages that could occur.

2. How many similar projects have you undertaken before?

Talk to your tradesman about their previous jobs and ask them to provide you with their work portfolio as well as the contact details of previous clients who are happy to act as references. You can also ask to see photos of their previous work and to confirm these with their references.

3. What are the payment schedules for the work and how do you take payments?

It is important to know up front when payment or payments will be required. This is especially required for larger jobs when large volumes of materials are needed. You should never pay everything upfront, and if you are paying in instalments only pay for the work done so far and after you are satisfied with the work. It is advisable not to pay in cash.

4. Can you provide a plan of when the work will be done and who will be doing it?

On larger projects there may be many tradespeople involved and it is good to know how many will be in your property and the roles they are undertaking. A company that can provide you with a detailed schedule is more likely to meet any deadlines. A in depth plan will also help you monitor progress and prevent any surprises.

5. Do all the tradesman involved have the correct and up to date industry standard certifications and qualifications for the work being undertaken?

This is very important, particularly if gas and electrical work is being carried out. If work is not carried out by qualified tradesmen it may not pass building regulations and could become very costly if you are required to put this right. This can also affect the resale and rental potential of your property.

6. Is your work guaranteed and for how long?

There can be small teething problems after large scale works have been completed. Make sure as a part of your written quote the tradesman has agreed to put all of these right without further cost to you. You should also have a written guarantee date for which they will return to fix issues once you have signed off the job as completed. It is also advisable to check the manufacture warranties of any appliances installed e.g. gas boilers, windows, lighting etc

7. Are you providing a quote or an estimate?

Make sure that although you have the costings in writing this is a quote and not just an estimate. Quotes can change due to unforeseen circumstances or changes to the project along the way, but if the project runs smoothly you should only pay the price originally quoted. Estimates are acceptable but you will need to ask for regular updates to make sure this has not changed.

8. Do you have other work on or time conflicts which could delay completion of the work?

Companies can often have more than one project running at any one time, if completion date is of high importance to you it is good to understand their work schedules and to be happy they can give your job the time it requires.

9. Will the site be left cleared and safe everyday?

If large areas of your home are being worked on it is a good idea to find out how the area will be left at the end of the day and if you will be able to use these areas when they are not there. This is especially important if you have young children as building sites can be dangerous areas and if not left safely at the end of the day can be a hazard for your family.

10. Are you a UK registered company or self employed and does you quote include VAT?

It is good to know the type of company you are working with, if they are a limited company or a sole trade. Although being a registered business means you can do background checks at Companies House many good quality tradespeople are self-employed. When you receive an estimate or quote, always check that VAT (if applicable) is included in the total cost.

mchilti

I had my mother’s fascias, soffits and gutters replaced by Zenith for £3500.00. A lot of money I know but I went with them because the salesman said that as part of the installation the roof tiles would be lifted, a full inspection made of the woodwork and all damage repaired. I have family in the building industry that could have done everything except the tiles for a small fraction of the cost but as I didn’t know of anyone who could lift the tiles I went with Zenith. It was only when the installation team started work and I asked about the tiles that I was told that they couldn’t lift tiles of that type, something that should have been obvious to the salesman. On contacting the installation company they said in a letter that the surveyor would have explained this to me when he came round and that this overrode any of the salesman’s ‘puffery’ (their words).

The only problem with this was that I never saw the surveyor. No appointment was made and I was unaware that he/she had been round. My 83 year old mother can’t remember a visit and certainly not a technical explanation, the reason why I needed to be there in person. As far as I am concerned I was promised work that was not carried out leaving me needlessly in debt and feeling like a fool.

I called many times, every time to receive an assurance that someone would call back. Not one time did anyone do this. I then threatened to not pay, someone came round then, verbally agreed with me and promised to send me the contact details of the parent companies complaints department. The only thig I received from him was a letter saying that the surveyor would have explained this and that he is happy with the contract. I have not received any reply to any subsequent enquiries.

In short, if asked my opinion I would advise that person to stay well away from Zenith independent traders (well that’s what they should be called. I’m just surprised that the salesman didn’t turn up in a yellow Reliant Regal).

50Twuncle

We paid £1200 to a local firm - 5 year ago - to replace all of our soffits and facias - together with replacement guttering and downpipes on a largish 3 bed semi with conservatory done as well !

glasgowdan

Just getting our fascias, soffits, gutters and downpipes replaced from old wooden stuff for £1900 all in, detached 4bed bungalow (no scaffold). Got a quote at £1200 and two around £2k so went with a sensible one.

Jb0340

I know its a few years on but what is your company name/details. Thanks for the informative post, I will be looking for a quote in a few months time and would be interested in getting one from you. Do you cover Worcestershire?

ocootes

Please what is your company name n contact so I can talk to you more re roofing need I have.