Soffit board replacement in Exeter
Professional soffit board replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£210-£360
Typical Duration
4-7 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Rotten or damaged soffit boards replaced with new. Restores proper roof ventilation and protects your roof structure from weather and pests.
Before Birds Move Into Your Roof
Soffit boards do two important jobs - they ventilate your roof space and keep birds, wasps, and weather out of your roof structure. When they rot and fail, you get condensation problems in the loft and unwanted tenants in the rafters.
💡 Pro tip: Soffits fail gradually. By the time you've got birds nesting or water staining inside, the boards are well gone. Catch it early and you're just replacing timber, not dealing with pest removal and roof damage.
Why Professional Replacement Matters
Bodged soffit work causes ventilation problems and more rot.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Proper ventilation maintained | Sealed tight, condensation builds up |
| Securely fixed to solid timber | Screwed to rotten wood, falls down |
| Neat joints, weatherproof | Gaps everywhere, birds still getting in |
| Level and straight | Wonky, makes whole roofline look terrible |
What You Get
🔧 Complete Soffit Replacement
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Remove | Old soffit boards stripped out carefully |
| Check | Rafter ends and wall inspected for damage |
| Fit | New vented soffit boards fitted securely |
| Finish | Painted (if timber) or capped (if uPVC), neat edges |
📦 You're Left With
- Properly ventilated roof space
- Protected roof structure
- No more birds or pests getting in
- Smart, professional finish
Pricing Guide
| Property Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house | 4 hrs | £210 |
| Semi-detached | 5 hrs | £260 |
| Detached house | 6-7 hrs | £310-£360 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Materials (timber/uPVC boards, vents, fixings) extra - quoted separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Rotten soffit boards - soft wood, holes appearing
✅ Birds nesting in roof - getting in through gaps
✅ Peeling paint - won't stick because timber's gone
✅ Before selling - surveyors flag rotten soffits
Why Choose Us for Soffit board replacement in Exeter?
Proper roof ventilation restored
Protects rafters and roof structure
Keeps birds and wasps out of roof space
Choice of timber or maintenance-free uPVC
What to Expect
Step 1: Safe Access Setup
I set up proper access equipment - ladders or scaffold tower depending on your property height. Two-storey houses need safe working platforms.
Step 2: Strip & Assess
Old soffit boards come off. I check the rafter ends and wall condition - if there's rot or damage, I'll let you know before carrying on.
Step 3: Fit & Finish
New vented soffit boards go on securely. Timber gets primed and painted, uPVC gets capped neat. Proper ventilation maintained. Job done.
🔧 DIY Tips
This is height work around the full perimeter - challenging DIY but possible if you're capable:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- SAFE access equipment for full roofline
- Cordless drill/driver
- Circular saw or hand saw
- Pry bar and hammer
- Spirit level
- Stainless steel screws
- Timber treatment and primer/paint OR uPVC boards and trim
- Soffit vents (essential for roof space ventilation)
🪜 Working safely at height
- Hire proper scaffold tower for anything above single-storey
- You'll be working for hours, not minutes - ladders aren't suitable
- Someone on ground to pass materials up
- Check weather forecast - don't start in dodgy weather
🔨 Replacement process
- Remove old soffit boards carefully
- Inspect rafter ends and wall - treat rot if found
- Measure carefully - soffits fit between fascia and wall
- Cut boards to length, install vents at regular intervals
- Fix securely to wall and rafter ends with screws
- Keep everything level and aligned
- Seal joints thoroughly
- Paint timber or cap uPVC edges neatly
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Inadequate access equipment (dangerous)
- Not checking rafter ends for rot
- Sealing soffits without vents (causes condensation)
- Boards not level (looks terrible)
- Skimping on fixings
- Forgetting to prime/treat timber
- Wrong spacing of ventilation
💡 Pro trick: When fitting uPVC soffits, leave a small expansion gap at joints - the material moves with temperature changes. If you fit it tight in summer, it'll buckle in winter. Timber doesn't have this issue but needs proper treatment and painting.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏠 Doing fascias at the same time? Makes total sense. I'm already set up with access, might as well sort the whole roofline in one go. More cost-effective than two separate jobs and you get a completely refreshed roofline.
Roof ventilation critical? Modern building regs require proper soffit ventilation to prevent condensation in roof spaces. If you're replacing soffits, the vents need to meet current standards even if the originals didn't.
Birds already nesting? If there are active nests, legally I can't disturb them during nesting season (March-August typically). We'd need to wait until birds have fledged. I'll advise on timing and temporary solutions to stop more birds getting in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do soffit boards actually do?
They box in the underside of your roof overhang and provide essential ventilation to the roof space. Without proper soffits, you get condensation problems in the loft and birds nesting in your roof structure.
How do I know if my soffits need replacing?
Soft, rotten wood when you press it, peeling paint that won't stay on, gaps where birds are getting in, or visible daylight through holes. On older houses, if they're original timber, they're probably due for replacement after 30-40 years.
Should I get timber or uPVC soffits?
uPVC is popular because it never needs painting and won't rot - just stays clean. Timber looks more traditional and suits period properties better. Both work fine and both provide ventilation. I'll advise what suits your house and budget.
Do you need to remove the fascias to replace soffits?
Not usually - soffits typically fit behind fascias. But if your fascias are dodgy too, it makes sense to do both together while the access equipment is set up. More cost-effective than two separate jobs.
How long does soffit replacement take?
Typical semi-detached house takes 4-5 hours. Detached houses need 6-7 hours. Bungalows are quicker, two-storey properties need more time for safe access. I'll give you a time estimate based on your property.
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