Cost of replacing damaged gutters

[Mike Lane]

I live in a small 19th century terraced house and most of the roof gutters at the front and rear have been damaged by the recent snow. (We had a lot!)

I had a chap from a local small roofing firm come and estimate for replacing the guttering (a total of around 12 metres) and about half of the fascia board. His estimate was £790 including VAT. Is this a reasonable amount?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Mike Lane submitted this idea :

I would suggest that is quite a reasonable figure, providing the job is done properly. Make sure the old facia is taken off rather than clad over and I would suggest getting ALL of it done in one go. Make sure the proper rustproof fixings and screws are used too, or it will be back down again in a few years.

[Peter]

I don't think so.

Guttering, fixing to existing downpipes material costs, £100 to £150

Say 4 meters fascia £20-25 Call it all £200

I'd expect it to be a days work, go figure. I prefer to pay a tradesman for his labour without paying for his boss's office.

Peter

[Mike Lane]

Harry Bloomfield wrote on Dec 16, 2010:

OK, thanks.

I'll try to keep an eye on the materials used but since it's a local firm and that's all they do, I think it's unlikely he would try to bodge the job

[Nitro®]

Health and safety bumps up costs tremendously these days. No doubt they will have to use scaffolding front and rear which in itself a costly measure.

[Peter]

Peter

[Mike Lane]

Peter wrote on Dec 16, 2010:

Humph yes, that's rather what I was thinking. It certainly won't take more than a day, probably less. No scaffolding would be needed - just ladders (it's a small house).

If I generously reckon £250 for the materials, then perhaps £500 might be a more reasonable amount for the job?

[<me9]

I would agree with Peter, but perhaps a half day for a small terrace with easy access. About £400-450 in total. More in London.

[The Medway Handyman]

Not a job I would take on, but I reckon its more than a single days work. Assuming £200 for materials I'd want £320 for 2 days, so £570 - but it depends on whether a tower is needed..

I don't think the estimate is that far out if thats the case.

[Mike Lane]

The Medway Handyman wrote on Dec 17, 2010:

Thanks everyone.

A neighbour yesterday had some similar damage repaired yesterday and it was easily finished in half a day, with just ladders used to up to the damage.

So it seems my estimate was getting on for twice what I would call "reasonable". So I'll definitely get another opinion. Now I come to think of it the fellow who looked at it seemed rather more interested in my insurance status than actually examining the damage. The trouble is that it's a seller's market at the moment with every tradesman in the area suddenly becoming a "roofing specialist"

[A.Lee]

That is an excuse to give a large quote. Scaffold is not required for the vast majority of common housing gutter renewal.

I had a scaffold tower. Cost me £260 total - hardly a costly piece of equipment for a business. Perfect for house guttering - easy to put up and move, can be sited pretty much anywhere. I got rid of it, as all the work I did was just as easy from a ladder. Ladders are not 'banned' now. If it is safe to use one, you can.

For plastic guttering renewal, it is far easier to use a ladder, as it will only be in one place for half an hour.

To the OP, I'd say a maximum of £500, even then, that sounds a little over-priced. I charge £150 per wall for new guttering, inc. downpipes -

3 sided semi would be £450. Add another £75 per wall for new fascias.

Alan.

[Terry Casey]

Have you asked the neighbour how much they paid?

And contact details if it's a good one?