Replacing Soffits ?

[J4CKO]

Had a bloke quote us three grand to replace the Soffits, barge boards and gutters, the pressing job is replacing the Soffits, am I right in saying its basically just T and G nailed to the roof joists ? it doesnt look any more complex other than access is difficult being 20 feet up.

So, was thinking would get/hire a scaffold tower, replace the rotten wood, then paint it as I really cant get my head round spending three grand on that, £300 for the tower, then whatever six inch T and G, nails and paint costs, so probably another £100, if that.

[J4CKO]

Its a reasonable size detached, to be honest, not really fussed about doing all sides, its just really the bit under the overhand at the front where I can see the wood has rotted and needs replacing.

Was just thinking of getting the appropriate size T and G, cutting out the rotten bits and replacing it, then sand and paint it, not sure what the UPVC ones would look like on a 30's house, probably never notice but dont like the idea of nailing plastic over rotting wood, seems a bit of a bodge.

To be honest, the house should really be re-roofed but cant afford that at the moment, still paying for the underpinning we had done, just want to make it look better and avoid things getting in the roof space.

Edited by J4CKO on Monday 27th March 09:51

[J4CKO]

Alucidnation said:

I'm surprised the underpinning wasn't covered by your insurance

Long and torrid tale, my wife rang them in her wisdom, they monitored and messed about then said it just needed some ties and re-mortaring, about £500 worth and was below the excess so they didnt pay, they then ramped the premium by 100 and odd percent for the next few years as we had "subsidence", then 2 days from renewal said they wouldnt renew, so we werent treated well, had to rush to get alternate cover sans subsidence risk.

Builder said £500 for some ties and mortar, I reckon her call to the insurance has cost me 10k plus over the last ten years, for the work to be done and additional premiums, I now need to find cover now its been done, but I am guessing they wont go, "Oh you have spent seven grand to sort your small issue, have full cover for a normal price", oh no, will be double.

So, still paying for this, 3k left to pay, so cant afford to pay 3k for soffits, guy seemed very pleasant, just a local trader touting for work, I would do it if I had the money but that, university and new windows have cleaned me out.