When fitting roofs, fascias and soffits are essential components to ensure the integrity of your build, creating a valuable barrier between moisture and your property’s rafters.
Soffits bridge the gap between the wall and the roofline on the underside of a building, while fascias are boards that have exterior elements attached to them, like your home’s guttering.
As the area covered by soffits is not exposed to the elements, wood is commonly used to make them. However, wood does warp and distort over time, particularly when exposed to the elements and may require replacement.
In this article, we’ll be covering how much it costs to replace fascias and soffits, how to save money on new fascias and soffits, how to know which fascia or soffit is right for your home, what’s involved in replacing fascias and soffits and how to find and hire a professional to replace fascias and soffits.
If you suspect your fascias or soffits have seen better days, or are experiencing damp in your property and think they might be to blame, keep reading to find out the best way to get replacements, fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Fascias and Soffits?
On average, it costs approximately £100 per metre to replace fascias and soffits, or £50 per metre if you cap over your existing fascia boards.
| HOUSE SIZE | ESTIMATED INSTALLATION COSTS | TIME REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| Bungalow | £2,700 to £5,000 | 1 to 2 days |
| Terraced | £1,500 to £2,800 | 1 to 3 days |
| Semi-detached | £2,000 to £3,600 | 2 to 3 days |
| Detached | £2,700 to £5,600 | 3 to 5 days |
For a house size such as a bungalow, you’ll be looking at estimated installation costs of between £2,700 to £5,000 and an expected time allowance of between one to two days for installation.
Looking next at a terraced home, the estimated installation costs will be between £1,500 to £2,800 for replacement fascias and soffits. You’ll need to set aside one to three days for completion.
For a semi-detached house, the price creeps up slightly with the size, is estimated at between £2,000 to £3,600, taking between two to three days for installation.
Finally, if you have a detached home and need your fascias or soffits replaced, you’ll be expecting fees of between £2,700 to £5,600, and an installation period of between three to five days.
What Affects the Cost of Replacing Fascias and Soffits?
There are a few factors that come into play when assessing the cost of replacing your home’s fascias or soffits. Let’s get into them.
The Size of Your Home
First and foremost, it goes without saying – the larger your home, the higher the price, as you’ll simply need more materials and labour time to get the job done.
The Material You Choose
Which material you opt for will also have an impact on your price:
| FASCIA OR SOFFIT MATERIAL | ESTIMATED SUPPLY COSTS | |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £5 to £15 per metre | |
| Planed Timber | £100 to £180 per metre | |
| Aluminium | £25 to £60 per metre | |
| Galvanised Steel | £12 to £20 per metre |
uPVC is by far the most cost-effective material, coming in at between £5 to £15 per metre, while the timber is the most expensive option, seeing costs of between £100 to £180 per metre.
Fascias are available in multiple types of hardwood and softwood timber, including traditional oak, cedar, pine, and larch but also other species such as ash, beech, cherry, Douglas fir, maple, and walnut and even exotic woods such as Accoya, Sapele, and teak.
Aluminium will carry costs of between £25 to £60 per metre, while galvanised steel can command between £12 to £20 per metre.
Fascia Width, Colour, Design
As with the size of your property, the wider your fascias and soffits, the more you should expect to pay.
When it comes to colours, what you choose has the power to raise or lower your costs. For example, white uPVC is the most affordable choice for fascias and soffits, while other colours, such as anthracite grey, black, green, blue, and red all come at a premium—up to three times more than white.
Finally, the design you choose will also carry a cost. Square styles are more affordable than decorative fascias, such as ogee, bullnose, or scalloped designs, due to the intricate nature of their shapes.
Scaffolding
While scaffolding is not strictly necessary in all cases, some roofers and tradesmen prefer to use it for safety reasons.
This will carry an additional cost, ranging from £500 to £1,300 per week depending on the height required and the size of your home. For full information on scaffolding hire, take a look at our dedicated page.
Rubbish Removal
Rubbish removal is typically included in your fee, but if not, you’ll need to dispose of the old fascias and soffits yourself or arrange for a licensed waste carrier to remove the rubbish.
For this reason, you must find out before agreeing to any work exactly what is included in your quote and if you’re likely to need to pay for anything else on top of the agreed fee.
Your Location
Finally, a non-negotiable affecting your project fee is your geographical location. Prices will be higher in capitals such as London when compared with more rural locales.
If you live on a street without free parking, you’ll also need to consider the cost of parking permits for your project for your workers to have somewhere to stay while they get on with the job.
How Can I Save Money on New Fascias and Soffits?
Fascias are exposed to weather conditions, unlike soffits which are hidden from exposure. If your gutter leaks, it will drip onto the fascias and increase the chance that they could deteriorate.
If you’ve noticed your boards are rotting there are a few steps you can take which will save you money on the repairIf yo.
Firstly, you can clad existing boards with uPVC panels. This is the most affordable option but it depends on the deterioration of the boards – if the boards are badly damaged, the cladding won’t hold.
You also have the option to rip out the rotting boards and completely replace them. This is a good option if you enjoying DIY and would be happy to paint and instal new boards yourself.
We would recommend replacing any wooden fascias with uPVC, as it requires minimal work to upkeep and is weatherproof, unlike it’s wooden counterpart.
Dual-Purpose
If you’re hiring a professional to work on your soffits and fascias, it may be worth getting additional work done at the same time. The supply costs and labour costs for the additional work will obviously increase the cost, but it may save you from having to hire out the scaffolding and professional again a few months later.
Examples of this work include:
- Repair and replacement of guttering
- Installation and repair of downpipes
- Roof tile repairs
- Roof tile replacements
- Cement pointing repair
- Repairs to roof rafters
Capping
Capping or cladding can be used instead of replacement to reduce the cost of replacing the fascias and soffits. If the timber is already rotting or beginning to deteriorate, however, we don’t recommend this option.
On average, this will cost you around £50 per metre.
Which Fascias and Soffits are Right for My Home?
At a glance, it can be hard to determine what material of fascia or soffit is right for your home – so here are the key advantages and disadvantages of the main materials you have to choose from.
| FASCIA OR SOFFIT MATERIAL | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC | Low-maintenance, durable, low cost | Not as premium-looking as other variants |
| Timber | Environmentally-friendly and aesthetically pleasing | Will show signs of wear over time, and be susceptible to rotting, expensive |
| Aluminium | Durable, low-maintenance and low cost | No insulating properties |
| Galvanised Steel | Long-lasting and eco-friendly | Susceptible to cracking and chipping |
What’s Involved in Replacing Fascias and Soffits?
Depending on whether or not they’re needed, you’ll have scaffolding erected around your property to enable the trader to reach the high points of your house. The front row of roof tiles will then be taken off, as will the old fascias and soffits, ready for replacement.
Replacements will then be added and fitted, with the existing tiles being reattached once complete.
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Replace My Fascias and Soffits?
As the first port of call, it’s a good idea to seek recommendations from family, friends, and neighbours. If someone nearby has had similar work done, they have the potential to have a recommendation for you – or even a warning not to approach a trader – whichever way the penny falls, the advice is useful!
If you don’t know anyone who has had similar work done recently, it’s a good idea to search the National Federation of Roofing Contractors to find reputable, vetted traders in your area.
Finally, if you want to consolidate your trade search and make it as easy on yourself as possible, using HouseholdQuotes can not only help to save you up to 40% on your project’s fee, but it can also save you valuable time in searching as results are given to you on one website page, saving you from the need to switch between multiple tabs during your hunt.
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
As with any home improvement job, you must ask for a written quote so you know exactly what’s included in your fee – and crucially, what’s not. In the case of fascias and soffits, it’s good to know if waste removal is included, as well as whether or not you need scaffolding to reach the boards.
Whether your trader is coming from a recommendation or not, it’s best to do your research into their experience. Seeing similar projects and their outcomes can be a good way of working out if this trader is right for you – and seeing photos or videos of previous jobs can be a good indicator of their workmanship.
Similarly, seeking out references from prior clients is a good way to find out if their work ethic is what you’re looking for. Finally, double-checking the trader has relevant insurance will make sure you’re both covered in the event of any problems.
Final Checklist
If the time has come to replace your fascias or soffits, or if they’ve simply seen better days, make sure you take a look at our final checklist to ensure everything is taken care of.
- Keep up good housekeeping on your property’s fascias and soffits, and make sure to note any changes to their appearance over time
- If you spot issues – sagging, paint peeling, missing sections – it’s best to get a professional in to take a look
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find a reputable trader, helping to save up to 40% on your project’s fee
- Get a written, itemised quote from your trader
- Make sure to thoroughly understand what’s included in your quote – is scaffolding needed, and is waste removal included?
- Understand your options – are you going to cover your existing fascias with preventative vinyl or are you needing to have the old boards removed entirely?
- Choose your material and colours based on your visual desires and your budget
- Enjoy your freshly updated home!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should I Replace My Fascias and Soffits?
It’s recommended that you keep an eye on your fascias and soffits yourself, and aim to inspect them around twice a year for any early signs of wear and tear which might lead to greater problems further down the line.
The type of damage you’re looking for which will need immediate attention will be rotting wood, missing sections or obvious sagging of joints. When these problems arise, it’s best to get a professional in to assess the next steps for you.
Do I Need Scaffolding To Replace Fascias and Soffits?
In some instances, scaffolding will be recommended – such as for a typical 3 bedroom semi-detached house on two floors, replacing soffits and fascia board will require the erection of scaffolding.
Unfortunately in these situations, the cost of fascias and soffits is a small component of the overall price, with scaffolding costing over one-third of the cost. This is why it’s a good idea and cost-effective to make use of the scaffolding once it’s up to get any other high up jobs completed – such as any issues with your roof or Velux windows, for instance.
Is Black Fascia More Expensive Than White or Grey?
Fascias will traditionally come in white – with that variation being the cheapest you can opt for. Black is more expensive, and grey is somewhere between the two.
Should My Fascias and Soffits Match the Colour of My Windows?
This is an entirely individual choice – it can make the appearance of your home look cohesive and complete if your soffits and fascias are matching the colour of your windows, but it is up to individual taste and choice.
Can You Put New Fascias Over Old Ones?
It is possible to put vinyl fascias over older, wooden fascias – in fact, it is said to help to protect the wooden structure already in place, according to H2ouse. For a step-by-step guide on how to instal new fascias over old ones, take a look at their page.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Gutters?
To replace uPVC gutters, the cost ranges from £400 to £1,000 depending on the size of your house. If you want the full lowdown on replacement gutter costs, take a look at our dedicated page.
Can You Clean Fascias and Soffits?
You can clean your fascias and soffits, and it’s a great way to keep their condition in check, as well as keep a regular eye on their condition throughout the year. It’s recommended to clean them every few years to keep any mildew at bay.
What Do Asbestos Soffit Boards Look Like?
Asbestos soffits are often made of Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB). The boards are often white and are attached to the underside of the roof that overhangs your house.
You can learn more about asbestos soffits on the government’s Health and Safety Executive website, and to learn more about the costs of removing asbestos, visit our guide.
It’s important not to disturb asbestos yourself if you suspect you have it present in or on your property, so always leave this for the professionals to carry out any necessary action.
What’s the Difference Between Bargeboards and Fascias?
The main difference between bargeboards and fascias is the direction they run in – bargeboards will run diagonally, while fascias run horizontally.
