Choosing the right fascias, soffits and guttering specialist
Reading time: 6 minutes
- Choose someone with lots of specific experience
- Find out exactly what a tradesperson’s process is going to be
- Get a detailed quote from each tradesperson you’re considering
- Find out about scaffolding
- Ask whether they’re a registered installer
- Ask who will actually be doing the job
Let’s look at each of these in a bit more depth.
Choose someone with lots of specific experience
First, look for a tradesperson who has plenty of experience of doing your type of job - preferably using the same sort of materials.
Lee Picknell ofLP Fasciashas only been a MyBuilder member for a few months - but he’s already built a fantastic positive feedback rating. He explains what homeowners should be looking for:
I’d recommend that homeowners ask to see photos of a tradesperson’s previous work - preferably with some sort of proof that they’ve done it, rather than just downloading some random photos from the internet! For example, look to see if the tradesperson is actually in some of the photos. And people shouldn’t be afraid of asking to speak to a tradesperson’s previous customers.
Get a free quote
We can help you meet professional fascias soffits specialists near you to get real quotes today.
Find out exactly what a tradesperson’s process is going to be
Jobs on and around the roof area of a property can cause real confusion for homeowners, because they’re often unable to inspect the area for themselves and work out what the main issues are.
That’s why when it comes to work involving fascias, soffits or guttering, it’s particularly important that a tradesperson explains exactly what his process is going to be. Lee gives an example of something to watch out for:
有些商人会以一种表面上看起来不错的方式工作，但实际上却做得不好。例如，我们所适合的一种拱腹样式被称为舌槽。很明显，它以舌状和槽状的方式安装在合适的位置——它应该槽状地连接在一起。但有些商人所做的是，他们不会把它切割成符合大众口味的样式;相反，他们只是把它钉在一张纸上。从表面上看没什么问题，但从长远来看，当风吹到它下面时，它就会四处飘动，甚至可能会飘出去。
So, it’s really important that a homeowner asks each tradesperson to explain, in detail, how they’re going to install the soffit. With the guttering and the fascia board itself - there are different ways you can fix those. For example, there are different ways of nailing them on. But the soffit is the main thing.
MyBuilder member Ron Carr - ofNorthwest Roofing and Building Maintenance- has over 30 years experience in the roofing industry and 100% positive feedback rating. He highlights another example of how processes can differ:
There’s a lot of people who don’t quite know what they’re doing, so their process will be wrong. For example, are they going to take everything off and start again, or are they just going to be overboarding?
Someone shouldn’t just cover everything up all the time. If the wood or felt is rotting, it should be replaced. So, before you choose a tradesperson, make sure he describes exactly what he’s planning to do.
Ask a tradesperson whether they would be willing to take photos of the working area before, during and after the job is completed. A goodfascias, soffits and guttering specialistwill be happy to do this, and it means you don’t need to get up on the roof to inspect the work.
Get a detailed quote from each tradesperson you’re considering
Every tradesperson should present you with a quote in writing, broken down to highlight the individual costs of labour, materials and any other expenses that might be involved (like the disposal of waste). In their quote they should describe the process they plan to go through, step by step.
As Ron indicates, manyfascia, soffit and guttering specialistswill be happy to wait until after work has been completed before receiving any payment:
I generally only take payment on a job when it’s completed and the customer is happy with the work.
Whatever you do, never hire a tradesperson who demands the full amount upfront.
Find out about scaffolding
If your project involves work at height, ask whether the tradesperson will need to erect scaffolding. Scaffolding isn’t always essential when fascia, soffit and guttering specialists are working at height; it depends on size and scale of the individual job, and some tradespeople will opt to use a ladder or hydraulic crane (cherry picker) instead.
However, a tradesperson should be happy to explain to you how he plans to use his equipment safely, and in a manner compliant with the law. There are various Work at Height regulations which every tradesperson should adhere to, and the Health and Safety Executive has produced abrief guideto what the regulations and guidelines mean in practice.
If the tradesperson does plan to erect scaffolding, ask how much this will cost. Lee explains:
Make sure you ask about scaffolding, and any costs associated with that. I’ve actually got a cherry picker, which can save homeowners a lot of money. Scaffolding can cost an absolute fortune to hire - typically they won’t come out for less than £300. Whereas I can hire my machine for £100 and use it all day long, on one, three, five, ten jobs. So, the homeowner should ask a tradesperson whether he plans to erect scaffolding, and whether or not the cost of that is included in his overall quote.
If scaffolding is needed, the homeowner should be given the option to hire it himself, or at least compare hire costs before agreeing to a tradesperson providing it. This is because some tradespeople will be unscrupulous and actually make money on the scaffolding hire - for example, hire it for £300 and then tell their customer it cost them £600.
Ask whether they’re a registered installer
It’s worth asking whether a tradesperson is registered as an installer with one of the companies who manufacture fascias, soffits and guttering materials. If they are, find out whether this means there’s an extra guarantee on the products they use on your job.
Ask who will actually be doing the work
Finally, make sure you find out who will actually be doing the work. Lee explains:
The person who quotes for the job should be the one there installing it. Because everyone I know that does it installs it differently, so once someone has explained how they’re going to work - and you’re happy with their process - check that it will be them doing the job.
