Every UK homeowner should feel comfortable and safe in their own property. Proper construction and maintenance of the house can help make this happen. But fixing problems usually comes at a price, which is only bound to increase the longer you put off dealing with these issues.
This is the case with a damaged or blocked downpipe, for example. You could cut down expenses by tackling it yourself. But if your DIY skills aren’t up to par, a professional may be a better choice. Other features vital to keeping your home dry and secure are soffits and fascias, their cost no less tricky to budget for.
Our guide can help with this and more. Keep reading to get a better grasp of how these roofing elements work and what you need to know to save up for a soffits and fascias project.
Content
- Do your research on soffits, fascias and more
- What are fascias?
- Types of fascias
- Why should you replace fascias?
- Fascia capping tips
- What are soffits?
- Types of soffits
- Why should you replace soffits?
- Fascia and soffit replacement process and expenses
- Factors affecting cost
- Extra fascia and soffit features to consider
- How long does it take to replace fascias and soffits?
- Set a budget
- How much does it cost to replace fascias and soffits?
- Choosing the right fascias and soffits
- How to reduce soffits and fascias cost?
- Conclusion
Do your research
Soffits and fascias aren’t things you’ll immediately notice on a house. And yet they play very important parts in keeping the building safe from wear, tear and water. The average cost of soffit and fascia replacement can be high. This says a lot about their value to homeowners and tradespeople. Here are some handy facts you should keep in mind before approaching someone to take care of such project.
What are fascias?
A fascia is a vertical board on the lower edge of your home’s roof. It has five important functions:
- Support the guttering and very last row of tiles
- Protect the roof and house from weather
- Help drain water from the roof
- Ventilation, if the fascias are chosen to have the necessary features
- Keep animals like rats, bats and birds out of your house
Types of fascias
Colours available are diverse, so you can have fun matching fascias with your home’s style. The size of these features is another thing you need to think about. You can judge the dimensions you need by the roof’s edge and how far you want the eaves to extend. Both these aspects also determine how big of a budget you’re going to need. But then the shape of the fascias also comes into play, affecting the roof’s sturdiness and look.
Here are the most common styles, as well as some key benefits and prices.
| Fascia style | Key qualities | Approx. cost |
| Flat |
| £29 – £60+ |
| Square |
| £25 – £60+ |
| Bullnose |
| £25 – £60+ |
| Ogee |
| £25 – £60+ |
| Capping |
| £10 – £30+ |
Why should you replace fascias?
A fascia replacement project may be the last resort because of the cost, but it’s also the safest option. There are a couple of things you should look out for when assessing whether that part of your roof needs a revamp.
These include:
- Wet patches
- Leakages
- Peeling paint
- Cracks and holes
- Ventilation blockage
If wear and tear is already extensive, anything less than replacing your fascias will only cover up the damage. This in turn will continue to compromise the integrity of your roof. A new fascia board removes the problem and restores the support fascias should offer. But your budget will determine how far you’re able to go in renovating the roof.
Fascia capping tips
A cheaper solution is to cap the fascia board. This involves covering it with uPVC panels, which keep it in place and enforce its support of the roof. But the original damage will still be there. And it’s only a matter of time before the capping proves insufficient. You don’t want to end up with double the expense and risk to your health than if you replaced the fascia to begin with.
This is not to say that capping doesn’t have its uses. If you’ve installed brand new fascias, capping is great extra protection from the effects of age and rain. But, once the damage is there, capping will only be a temporary solution and an expense you may end up regretting. Think about the long-term benefits to your home, comfort and peace of mind.
What are soffits?
The soffit board goes under the fascia. Like the latter part, it runs along the length of the roof’s edge and provides the same benefits.
- Support of the fascia board and extra features – guttering, tiles and so on
- Air Circulation, if the soffit has the necessary vents instead of the fascia
- Protection from weather and animals
Types of soffits
Once again, the colour and size of the board is up to you and your home’s style. Beyond these choices, the market has three popular options for you to browse.
| Soffit style | Key qualities | Approx. cost |
| Flat |
| £10 – £50+ |
| Hollow |
| £10 – £30+ |
| Ventilated |
| £19 – £70+ |
Why should you replace soffits?
The benefits of new soffit boards are no different to those of fascias. If their condition is beyond repair, the best course of action is to replace them. More signs of damage to search for:
- Sagging
- Mold, algae or rot
- Rodent marks
- Missing sections
The more of these things you notice, the greater the urgency to replace the soffit board. As the base of that roof section, letting it deteriorate could lead to further damage to adjoining parts – if not a collapse. Deal with this problem as soon as possible and you can prevent a worse situation and improve the roof’s support.
Fascia and soffit replacement process and expenses
There are a few stages to the preparation process, as well as the installation. From the information you provide and their initial survey, your professional should be able to come up with a precise estimate . But extra work can appear while a project is already underway. So expect more expenses to pile up in the final bill.
The steps are essential because of the health and safety requirements underlying this kind of home improvement. The stages are more or less set and so are their prices. But you can be more in control of what the soffits and fascias cost. Assess for yourself what’s needed and make careful choices when it comes to materials, techniques and designs.
Get quotes from several tradespeople well before starting the project. This way you have plenty of time to save up and find the best deal for your circumstances.
Preparation steps
- Have boards, joints, corners and any other details already measured, cut and ready to install
- Remove the old fascias and soffits, as well as guttering and downpipes
- Inspect the exposed tiles, roofing materials and rafters for damage – move back tiles as necessary
- Cut, remove and replace anything necessary before fitting the new fascias and soffits
Installation steps
- Install the soffit boards
- Join the soffits with joint strips – there should be an expansion gap of around 10mm between them
- Install the fascia boards
- Use joints to connect the fascias with the same 10mm expansion gap
- Add fascia corner details – internal or external
- Install the desired ventilation system
- Fit guttering and downpipes – it’s a good idea to upgrade these with the fascias and soffits
Factors affecting cost
A range of things can make the project’s price reach unexpected heights. These factors may involve tools and materials, but also aspects of the professional’s business. Keep them in mind when gathering different quotes. You could ask providers about specific expenses you’re worried about.
Materials
When it comes to quotes, the composition of the fascias and soffits is the first thing pros will look at. There are three common materials for different purposes. Base your choice on your available funds and desired results:
- uPVC is currently the most popular material because of its durability, low cost and maintenance
- Timber was the top choice, until alternatives appeared – its high price and maintenance often overshadow its strength and look
- Aluminium is by far the most durable type of fascia and soffit, but also the most expensive
| Type of material | Approx. cost |
| uPVC | £100+ per metre |
| Timber | £100+ per metre |
| Aluminium | £150+ per metre |
Extra resources
Apart from the project’s basic features, other replacements may be necessary. The tradesperson will add extra resources, like roofing membranes, timber and tiles, onto the existing list. And you’ll likely be paying for it all. Also be aware that scaffolding is standard practice for professionals and each charges a different fee for it.
When getting quotes, ask about what materials the tradesperson will be using and how much it’s going to cost you. See if you can settle on a limit to how much you’re willing to spend on this and every aspect of the project.
Labour
The extent of work required makes up a large part of the quotes you get. A skilled professional can quickly come up with an estimate of the overall effort, materials and funds needed for a project. Labour costs depend on the number of workers involved as much as the size and quality of each part. And keep in mind that things can change after works have already started. So don’t let fluctuations to that initial quote surprise you.
The length of working time also affects the ultimate cost. Anything that extends the timeframe of individual stages and the project as a whole will add to your expenses. So, it’s important to plan ahead and keep the process on a firm schedule. Even when problems come up, try to resolve them as quickly as possible.
Company and location
Who you hire for the construction makes a big difference to the size of your investment. While a prominent company may have the expertise to deliver great results, it usually comes with high rates.
Compared to other home improvement works, replacing fascias and soffits is one of the least complicated. So you shouldn’t find your project too expensive. But be smart when browsing available services in your area. Avoid quotes that seem too steep or cheap for the overall market.
Miscalculations
Mishaps are normal in projects, especially ones within the home improvement sector. But major mistakes, like wrong measurements or insufficient materials, can cost you dearly. The added labour and resources needed to bring you back on track won’t come cheap. That’s why careful planning and calculations are vital to ensuring the project starts and ends on time. And within your budget.
Extra fascia and soffit features to consider
The cost to replace soffits and fascias matches the extent of work actually required. These are two of several parts that are often revamped as a whole. This is to ensure a smooth and effective installation that will last a long time. The labour costs will usually be the same, whether you go for new features or stick with your old ones. So you may want to upgrade them too anyway.
Eaves
These are basically the combined form of the fascias and soffits. They extend beyond a building’s wall to better protect it and the rest of the house from damage, weather and animals. They’re meant to be a solid but ventilated construction. Make a note of any flaws that expose the interior of the roof. If you can’t repair them or they get worse, it’s time to renovate. And the help of a dependable professional or company can really make a difference.
Guttering
This is an essential feature to ensuring your roof is dry all year round. It’s fitted at an angle and with just the right spacing – 800mm to 1000mm. This is so the gutters don’t sag from heavy rainfall or snow.
When replacing fascias and soffits, you could reinstall the old guttering to save a few pounds. But a new system would be a safer, more secure bet. Despite the extra expense, you will appreciate the benefits of choosing the right system out of several styles of guttering.
Vents
A smaller part of the whole, but no less important. You can add vents to a fascia or soffit board, as well as veer for other options for air circulation. It’s really important to keep the roof free of condensation, which you can do by choosing a quality vent.
You have a range to choose from, including:
- Box vent – a static mechanism that covers a hole cut into the roof, preferably close to the roof ridge
- Ridge vent – also static, this convex feature lies across the full length of the roof’s ridge and is often combined with a soffit vent
- Power vent – one of the smarter solutions for ventilating your home, it uses an adjustable fan to draw out hot air and moisture
- Wind turbine – works in the same way as a power vent, but depends on wind power and comes in different quality levels
| Type of vent | Approx. cost |
| Soffit | £1 – £80+ |
| Fascia | £1 – £100+ |
| Box | £8 – £30+ |
| Ridge | £75+ |
| Power | £80+ |
| Wind | £40 – £900+ |
Downpipes
These are an essential extension to the guttering. They’re fitted against the building’s sides. The water pours from the gutters into the pipes and down to the ground. Ideally, the water then goes into a drainpipe.
What downpipes aren’t supposed to do is leak onto the roof or wall. This ultimately causes pooling, mold and rot. So this is the kind of damage you want to catch and fix early to prevent more serious problems.
Joints
Features that add appeal as much as security to your roof. Link the corners of fascias and soffits so they stay in place and don’t shift around – not ideal for a roof’s stability. They come in different styles and colors, so you can choose sets that match your home’s materials and design. Of course, higher quality and more complex joints can be quite expensive. Make sure you browse with your particular budget in mind.
| Type of joint | Approx. cost |
| uPVC white fascia corner | £3 – £6+ |
| Fascia and soffit butt joint | £2 – £5+ |
| Wood fascia corner | £6 – £20+ |
How long does it take to replace fascias and soffits?
Many factors affect this type of home improvement. So the timeframe of projects and their individual stages can vary from case to case. But you can expect works to take around one to two days to complete – more if problems occur.
Staying on schedule is easier when you’ve planned everything well ahead of time. From measurements and resources to possible roof issues, prepare for anything that might trip up your plans.
Set a budget
Don’t let the fascia and soffit replacement cost UK homeowners have to deal with catch you off guard. Do your own research. But also sit down with your hired professional and choose materials, extra features and methods you can afford.
Ask questions about their rate. What does it include? How much is VAT? What will they charge if the project crosses its timeframe? The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be to set a realistic budget for all the works your home needs.
How much does it cost to replace fascias and soffits?
| Type of service | Approx. cost |
| Scaffolding | £700 |
| Materials | £175 – £400+ |
| Capping fascias | £50 per metre |
| Fitting fascias, soffits and guttering | £100 per metre |
| Installation | £50 |
| Waste disposal | £45 |
| Labour | £120 – £700+ |
| General costs | £75 |
Choosing the right fascias and soffits
Let’s recap on what you need to consider so you can make the best fascia and soffit investment. Lots of different factors determine what fits your roof’s look and design, let alone your budget. It’s a good idea to put everything down on paper in the form of a list or outline so you don’t forget any important details. They may affect your project’s cost and progress.
- Listen to what your professional advises, but read up on the market’s facts and products too
- Take measurements of the roof, fascias and soffits
- Work out exactly what your home needs and allows before settling on your priorities
- Use these and your measurements to focus your search through the different fascia and soffit styles
- Don’t forget about making sure joints, guttering and other necessary features are suitable for the chosen fascias and soffits
- Don’t go for products that are too cheap – a reasonably high price often means better performance and durability
How to reduce soffits and fascias cost
Choosing the right products from the start is a good step towards taking control of your expenses. All that’s left to deal with are the tradespeople and surprises that pop up along the way. Here’s a handy checklist of things to remember when trying not to overspend.
- Agree on rates and fees as precisely as possible when hiring professionals for the job
- Focus on local but well-vetted professionals
- Keep track of all extra expenses
- Consult with your experts on the fastest and most cost-effective solutions to issues
- Go for products that are either cheap but reliable or more expensive but longer lasting
- Supervise the project to ensure it doesn’t exceed its timeframe
Conclusion
As the home improvement market grows, more options will become available. But with plenty of research and planning, you’ll discover just how wide your options already are. Hopefully, our soffits and fascias cost guide has given you plenty of handy tips about this complicated industry. Keep exploring different roof parts, styles, materials and budgeting ideas. Knowledge and clever maneuvering of the market’s loopholes will get you the very best home improvement deal.
Ready to test the waters or get your project started? Fill in our form and we’ll get in touch with quotes from up to four tradespeople in your area. Apart from prices and general advice, they can give you a better idea of your local home improvement market.