Cost of having a Bargeboard Replaced

What the job entails

Bargeboards are the roofline products which are located on a gable end of a house and are usually made from timber or Upvc plastic. They hide the otherwise exposed roof rafters from the elements, stopping rainwater from getting into the roof and rotting the rafters. Timber bargeboards will eventually rot, even if regularly painted, so at some point they will need to be replaced.

In most cases this will mean a scaffold tower being erected to the desired work height, removing the edge roof tiles, then existing bargeboard using a crowbar. As long as the rot has not spread to the roof rafters, new Upvc plastic or timber bargeboard can then be fitted and the roof tiles put back in place. If fitting a new timber bargeboard, then this will also require painting on a regular basis to prolong its lifespan, but uPVC products are essentially maintenance free.

Whenever any of the roofline products are being replaced, it makes sense to consider replacing the rest of the timber roofline products (fascia and soffit) plus the guttering too, as this will often have to be removed/refitted in any case. While you are up at the roofline with safe access, you should also consider cleaning out the guttering and inspecting the roof tiles for any missing or damaged shingles at the very least. The rafters should also be inspected before replacing bargeboard and any rot should be treated/removed as a priority. You may also consider having the gable end repointed if necessary while the scaffold is in place.

Repairs can be made to isolated areas of the bargeboard, but there comes a point when it is simply not worth repairing and should be completely replaced. You can do this job as a DIY project, it is not terribly complicated, but you may change your mind once you realise just how time consuming this job can be!

Replacing the bargeboard involves erecting a suitable scaffold that meets your local council requirements, removing any verge tiles and the sand and cement pointing (checking first that this does not contain asbestos), then once you have removed the verge tiles and bedding you can then start removing the bargeboard using a pry bar to pry away the barge from the rafter. Once bargeboard is removed, then fit the new timber or uPVC bargeboard ensuring that all four edges are sealed and undercoated (if timber). Then refit the roof tiles and bedding. Finally, disassemble the scaffolding and remove all waste from the site. It’s a fairly simple but time consuming job.

Working at heights can be dangerous for everyone, but especially for those that have vertigo or a fear of heights. Unless you are confident working at height, bargeboards should probably be left to a professional to remove safely using scaffolding. In addition, it is not unusual in older properties to find asbestos in the eaves. Asbestos is a carcinogenic compound that was once used as a building material for its ability to absorb heat. Asbestos needs careful handling and disposal to avoid disastrous consequences, but unless you are an experienced tradesman, you probably will not be able to even identify asbestos if you find it?

This is one of those jobs that is probably best left to professionals to do safely, once you factor in the cost of the scaffold and the amount of time it will take you to complete, you really do not save that much over hiring a professional in the first place!

20%

Materials
£100

40%

Tradesmen
£200

40%

Scaffolding
£200

FAQ's

How long does it take to replace a bargeboard?

Assuming no problems and easy access, then it will take two workers around a day to replace the bargeboard on a single gable end, this includes the scaffold and the cement work, it can be quicker if the cemented roof tiles do not need to be disturbed. However, it is unusual for just the bargeboard on its own to be replaced, it makes sense to replace the soffit boards on the gable at the same time you are already paying for the scaffold so you might as well get it all done in at once! There are some complications which can mean more time and therefore additional costs too, for example, if the rafters are damp and need to be treated or repaired, this will take longer and cost extra.

How much does it cost to replace a bargeboard?

The cost to replace will depend on a number of factors including your location, any access difficulties, if the roof tiles/cement needs to be disturbed or if the bargeboard can be removed without disturbing the cemented tiles, plus of course whether you want Upvc or timber. But on average expect to pay around £650.

How much cheaper is it to repair or paint existing bargeboard rather than replace?

If you are looking to save some money then in some cases it is possible to have the existing bargeboard repaired and painted, as long as it is not in really poor condition. This can often be done using ladders rather than scaffold so there is a cost saving. Expect to pay around £450 to have someone rub down timber bargeboards and cut out any rotten timber and fill/rub down before applying two coats of exterior paint.

Should I consider capping over old bargeboards rather than a full replacement?

As long as the original bargeboards are not too rotten, then capping over them with uPVC bargeboards if perfectly acceptable and will provide many years of maintenance free use with no painting required. However, the savings are not huge, so unless you are on a really tight budget, have them replaced. In fact, if there is a lot of rot, then a full replacement is the only reasonable option, capping over existing rotten bargeboard is a popular cowboy builder trick as they can do the job really quickly, not caring that it will not last any time at all, reputable tradesman will in fact refuse to fix new boards to rotten timber as they know when it starts falling off it will damage their reputation.