Finally Got Someone To Come Round For Soffits Gutters And Fascia Quote!

[utepoot]

It has taken a while, but at last we've had some call backs, there will be two people coming to give us quotes. Does anyone have some advice about what we should be asking these people..I know to make sure they remove all the old wooden bits (not put the new ones on top), and also to get a breakdown in costs so we know what they will be charging us for. But I can't find anything online like a checklist or something about what are the things to ask or make sure of that they will do.

[Clanad]

Actually it isn't necessary to remove all of the old soffits… but, the ventilation openings need to be enlarged since the small holes in the replacement soffit material (I imagine steel, at least here in the U.S.) don't allow enough fresh air into the attic area.

Additionally, you only mention soffit and gutter, but the end boards that hold the guttering are called (again, here in the U.S.) fascia. That needs to be covered as well.

If it's available in the U.K. you might want to look at guttering that is called Leaf Away here. It's guttering that's covered by a metal plate but allows the rain to enter but keeps the other debris, such as leaves, out thus eliminating the tedious job of cleaning. It's seen here:

http://www.leafaway.com

We had it installed and thoroughly appreciate it.

Lastly, assure the edge of your roof (the part covered with shingles or other roofing material) has a rain edge installed. It's a metal edging as seen here:



It isn't expensive but very important to a good job and longevity for your roof…

Best of luck!

[utepoot]

Clanad- actually, in our case ( and in this country it is most often recommended) the whole lot needs replacing!

[wiltsman]

Every few months round here we get travellers offering to do your soffits, guttering etc for a good price.

Because they're travellers, they only display a mobile phone number amongst the flashy signage on the side of their transits. I don't suppose for one minute you would get caught out by one of these guys, but I suspect many do. Those who do, probably don't realise they are travellers!

Getting your guttering done by these guys is an absolute false economy. Any problems once the job has been done would be a nightmare. They would probably be miles away by the time anyone wanted defects remedied.

[smurf]

do make sure that they remove all the old wood when they started ours we found that all the old wood was going rotton, so no good leaving it

[bookbinder]

Ask what size (width) of guttering they will install. Will it be the same as what you have now? Will it be the same profile (shape: half-round; square; ogee) as what you now have? Are you getting new down pipes? Will the down pipes be the same style as you have now? If not, will the installer be able to fit their (say) square pipes into your (round) underground pipes? Will they fit downward-pointing finials to any gables to discourage birds from building nests in the upper angle of the gables? What colour will the new installation be? Will they remove all debris and waste? If they crack any existing tiles, will they replace them?

[Sycamore3House]

Make sure they use the correct nails. Not the cheap ones that rust and create rust stains down the fascias. If you need scaffolding get quotes for that separately. Some firms are reasonable with scaffolding and charge the going rate others added extra on. We had our two bed terrace done a couple of years ago and it cost £300 for fascias, soffits, guttering and downspout. They cleared everything away and cleaned all their fingerprints off the new Upvc before leaving. The job was done off long ladders but some firms insisted on scaffolding.

[Canary42]

I used a personally recommended installer for mine - and they did a very good job (Father and Son outfit) - they were also on Checkatrade.

Can't really help with your checklist though, sorry.

[utepoot]

Thank you for all of your advice! We certainly wouldn't use the travellers' "services", we check to make sure all tradesmen we would employ have an actual premises, and look at said premises on Google maps. I've written down all comments offered to me to ask the people who come round. Cheers, guys!