Newmarket Roofers installs and replaces uPVC fascias, soffits, and guttering for homeowners in Histon, working from scaffold or tower to a safe and lasting standard.
Fascias are the horizontal boards fixed to the ends of your roof rafters, right at the eaves. Soffits sit underneath them, closing off the gap between the fascia and the wall. Together they carry the guttering and protect the ends of the roof timbers from rain and frost. When they fail, water gets behind them and into the rafter feet, causing timber rot that can spread quickly and silently.
Guttering catches rainwater and channels it away from your walls and foundations. Sagging, leaking or blocked gutters allow water to run down the outside of the wall, damp to soak in and, in time, cause serious structural problems. Getting these components right is not cosmetic work - it is essential maintenance that protects the rest of the house.
The most common signs are visible from the ground. Peeling paint, soft or spongy-looking timber, cracks, gaps where sections meet, or gutters that pull away from the fascia board are all warnings. If your gutters overflow during rain even when they appear clear of leaves, the gutter may have lost its fall (the slight slope that keeps water moving toward the downpipe).
Soft fascia timber is often hidden behind the surface. A tradesperson should press the boards firmly to check for softness, not just look at them. If a contractor does not do this, ask them to.
Modern uPVC fascias, soffits and guttering do not need painting, do not rot and do not warp the way timber does. They are available in white, black, grey, and woodgrain finishes, so they can match the look of the house without the upkeep. The material typically lasts several decades when fitted correctly, though the lifespan depends on the quality of the profile and how the installation was done.
Vented soffits - those with small perforations - are important on most homes because they allow air to circulate into the roof void, reducing condensation and damp. If your current soffits are solid, a switch to vented uPVC is usually a sensible upgrade. Always check with your roofer which type is appropriate for your roof build.
A proper replacement starts with the removal of the old fascia, soffit and guttering. The rafter feet are then inspected for rot or damage. Any soft or weakened timber must be cut out and replaced before new boards go up - fitting new uPVC over rotted rafters is a false economy that will lead to more problems within a few years.
New uPVC fascia boards are fixed to sound timber. The soffit is fitted into a groove in the fascia and fixed at the wall end. Guttering brackets are then screwed into the fascia at the correct pitch, and the gutter runs are clipped in. Downpipes are connected and directed to the drainage outlet. Joints are sealed with appropriate sealant to prevent leaks at the connections.
Work is always carried out from scaffold or an access tower. Leaning a ladder against a gutter or fascia to carry out the work is bad practice and unsafe - the gutter brackets will not hold the load, and it puts both the operative and the completed work at risk.
The cost of a full uPVC fascia, soffit and guttering replacement varies depending on the size of the property, the number of elevations involved, and whether rafter-foot repairs are needed. Scaffold or tower access costs are usually included in a proper quote. Be cautious of very low prices that make no mention of access - cutting corners on access is one of the most common ways a cheap job becomes an unsafe one. Ask the contractor to confirm how they plan to access the eaves before agreeing to anything.
This is where many homeowners go wrong. The price is obvious. The quality of the contractor behind the price is not. These are the questions worth asking before you sign anything or pay a deposit.
A scaffold or mobile access tower is the correct method for eaves-level work on a two-storey house. If someone proposes doing the job from a ladder only, that is a warning sign. Good work cannot be done safely or accurately from an unsupported ladder at that height, and it is not the right equipment for the job.
New fascia board fixed over a rotten rafter foot will fail quickly. A contractor who confirms they will inspect and replace any damaged timber before cladding is taking the job seriously. One who does not mention this at all may not be planning to look.
Not all uPVC profiles are the same thickness or quality. Budget profiles can crack or discolour within a few years. Ask what you are getting. If the contractor cannot name the profile or does not know, that tells you something.
Most roof voids need ventilation. If your existing soffits are solid, ask whether vented soffits are being quoted. If the contractor has not raised this, ask why.
A clear written quote should set out which elevations are being done, whether gutter replacement is included, whether timber repair is included up to a stated extent, and how waste is being removed. Verbal quotes are hard to hold anyone to. Get it in writing.
Photos of completed jobs, or references from nearby homeowners, are reasonable things to ask for. A contractor who has done good work locally will usually have both.
A full replacement on a semi-detached house typically takes one to two days. If someone quotes a few hours for a full wrap-around job, ask how. If someone says it will take a week, ask why. Neither answer is necessarily wrong, but the explanation should make sense.
Legitimate roofers do not pressure homeowners into same-day decisions. If you feel rushed, walk away and get another quote.
Replacing like-for-like fascias, soffits and guttering on a standard domestic property does not normally require planning permission or building regulations approval. However, if your property is listed or within a conservation area, check with your local planning authority before work starts. Any structural work to rafter feet that forms part of a larger re-roofing project may attract building regulations requirements - your contractor should be able to advise.
Standard fascia, soffit and gutter replacement is subject to VAT at the standard rate. There is currently a 0% VAT rate on roof and loft insulation installed in qualifying properties, but this applies to insulation materials, not to fascia or gutter work. Do not confuse the two when budgeting.
Before agreeing to any work, ask for a proper inspection from ground level and, where safe, from the access point. We carry out thorough eaves surveys for homeowners in Histon and the surrounding area. Call Newmarket Roofers to arrange a roof survey so you know exactly what needs doing before any money changes hands.
No obligation · We usually respond within 2 hours
Storm damage, active leak, damaged ridge - we aim to be on-site within 24 hours.
