uPVC on top of asbestos panels?

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Beenie
Beenie Posts: 1,633 Forumite
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in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
I have another thread running on the topic of removing asbestos soffit boards, but have had another idea that I want to check here.

The cost of removal of these boards is £12500 plus VAT. A local home improvement company that specialises in fascias and soffits has said that they would advise covering it over with new fascia, bargeboard and soffit board. They say that because the current arrangement is in good condition and undisturbed, so there is no pressing reason to remove it in their opinion. Also, the cost has now reduced to £4000 for white or £7000 for black uPVC.

Does that price and method of fitting sound reasonable to any professional tradesman reading this?
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  • Kiran
    Kiran Posts: 1,370 Forumite
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    How are you fixing the new over the old because if you are using mechanical fixing (screws, nails etc.) then you are disturbing the asbestos containing material.
    Some people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!
  • Beenie
    Beenie Posts: 1,633 Forumite
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    Sorry, I was mistaken about the soffits being covered. Because they are in good condition, they will remain (maybe have a good wash) and it's the wooden bargeboards and fascias that are being replaced with uPVC.
  • Dan-Dan
    Dan-Dan Posts: 5,272 Forumite
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    Beenie wrote: »
    Sorry, I was mistaken about the soffits being covered. Because they are in good condition, they will remain (maybe have a good wash) and it's the wooden bargeboards and fascias that are being replaced with uPVC.

    They will still need to pin or nail to existing
    Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.
  • chunkytfg
    chunkytfg Posts: 844 Forumite
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    Thats still A lot of money! 3k more for black over white when black looks to be about twice the price.

    How big is your house! seems like a lot of money!

    What were the prices you got from the other 2 quotes?
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  • Beenie
    Beenie Posts: 1,633 Forumite
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    Hmm. I didn't speak to the fascia bloke, my husband did that and has reported back. I don't know if the actual fixing was discussed, but it sounds like there will still be a problem. I don't suppose it can be glued in place?
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 14,715 Forumite
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    Beenie wrote: »
    They say that because the current arrangement is in good condition and undisturbed, so there is no pressing reason to remove it in their opinion.


    If the existing boards are still in good condition, why bother over-boarding ?
    Just leave them in place and repaint.
    Her courage will change the world.

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  • Beenie
    Beenie Posts: 1,633 Forumite
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    because we are having an extension built, the house freshly rendered and hardi-boarded, and the dirty roofline will spoil the effect. The fascias, guttering etc need to be replaced or refreshed. Our builder says (quite rightly) he won't touch asbestos so that's why we got involved with specialist quotes (and were shocked with the price).
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 33,842 Forumite
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    'Specialist'. There's nothing special about fascias and soffits and there's no price difference between basic black and white. The stuff costs virtually nothing - nowhere close to the price difference in it's entirety, even.

    Don't speak to them again.

    Asbestos soffits are designed to last. They are literally like concrete, so the best thing you can do is leave them as they do the job they were designed for. I'll guess that the fascia and bargeboards aren't currently attached to the soffit and that there's no need to dislodge or drill into the existing soffits either, meaning it's safe to be near.

    I don't physically do this stuff, but the fascia attaches to the rafters, as do bargeboards, I'm sure. The soffits can just be left.
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 14,715 Forumite
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    Doozergirl wrote: »
    Asbestos soffits are designed to last. They are literally like concrete, so the best thing you can do is leave them as they do the job they were designed for.

    https://www.gov.im/media/630695/asbestossoffits.pdf - Some soffits are made from asbestos insulation board which is fairly soft and friable. Others may be asbestos cement board which is (almost) as hard as concrete. The former, I would be concerned about and possibly try to get removed. The latter is of little risk and can be removed at minimal cost.
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • Beenie
    Beenie Posts: 1,633 Forumite
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    it is useful to know that even the H&S executive consider over-cladding a reasonable way to deal with this material.

    We were very dispirited I have to say. Everything about our home improvement seems to be fighting us. The land slopes, so we need scaffolding for even small jobs; the land is mostly clay, so we need expensive piling under the proposed extension; and then the discovery of asbestos soffitt panels and the recommendation to get rid of it. Talk about a money pit.......
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