Making a Victorian Terrace More Presentable

[fid]

I want to make the front of this house more presentable, i.e. the guttering, down pipe, soffit, bay lead roof and wood around the top of the bay... I just don't know where to start because it seems a bit of a mix of trades - lead roof before wood or the other way around? Guttering before soffit? Could the soffit be replaced with UPVC despite the wooden supports projecting from the wall (do they have a name)?

Builder to do the lot or carpenter, lead roofer, and a guttering/fascia company?

Ideas of prices in Somerset also appreciated...a well renowned friend of a friend said £350 for the lead roof, but it's probably not the most complicated of lead roofing jobs so not sure if he'd be worth any more than others.

Advice appreciated as always

[Spare tyre]

Good clean and some paint first I reckon

Down pipe if in good nick will look good painted, same for windows

[wolfracesonic]

I would say a general builder could sort everything out, even if he has to liase/get someone in to do the lead work. If you want to keep the original appearance as much as possible as opposed to minimal maintenance I would:

• Keep and paint the original fall pipe. If they are leaking/cracked replace with s/h item
• Keep the original guttering, (it looks like cast iron) open up and re-seal the joints and

give it a coat of bitumen inside. It will outlast any plastic guttering and probably you as well

• Paint the upper facia board or replace if rotted
• Paint the spout blocks (the fancy, sticky out bits of wood)
• Keep the facia/soffit board to the bay if they are in good condition or replace with p.v.c if not. They'll tie in

with the u.p.v.c windows (I suppose)

• Some nice new code 5 lead to the bay roof
• Post up pics when it's done

[AmitG]

I suggest getting the brickwork professionally cleaned. It will make a massive difference.

I live in London and pretty much everyone in my mum's road has used these people. They do one house, then the neighbours realise that their house now looks tatty by comparison so they get them in, rinse and repeat

http://www.mahonbrickwork.co.uk/

They are London based so obviously not directly applicable to you but it gives you an idea of what can be done. I am sure there must be similar companies in Somerset.

[fid]

AmitG said:

I suggest getting the brickwork professionally cleaned...

Received a quote for it yesterday, quite costly really considering it has a small frontage. Might look into it again once the rest is looking better.

[AmitG]

fid said:

AmitG said:

I suggest getting the brickwork professionally cleaned...

Received a quote for it yesterday, quite costly really considering it has a small frontage. Might look into it again once the rest is looking better.

If you don't mind saying - how much was the quote?

[fid]

Just shy of £600 if I supply scaffolding.