Soffits and fascias painting cost guide

You probably don't think about your soffits and fascia very often, but they do need looking after. After a few years, they might start to look tired and weathered, but you can have them painted to bring them back to life.

But how much does it cost to paint soffits and fascias?

How much does it cost to paint gutters, soffits and fascias?

How much it costs to paint gutters, soffits and fascias will depend on their condition, what they're made from and the size of your property. Here are some average costs:

These costs are based on averages taken from across the UK, so you may pay more in major cities and the south east and less in the midlands, the north or Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

HaMuch has a large database of rates for exterior painters and decorators across the UK, so take a look at the table further down the page for a more accurate idea of labour costs in your area.

What are soffits and fascias?

Soffits and fascias are part of your home's roofline and help to direct rainwater away from your property.

Fascias are the boards that run along the lower edge of your roof. They're fixed to the lower ends of your roof trusses and support the bottom row of your roof tiles. Your fascias will also support all of your guttering.

Soffits are fixed underneath your roof under your fascia boards. They protect your rafters and allow air circulation around the house without letting moisture through.

Most soffits and fascias are made from uPVC today as it is waterproof and durable. However, wood is also commonly used as it is cost-effective, but will need replacing more quickly.

Why paint your soffits and fascias?

Painting your soffits and fascias keeps them protected from the elements. A layer of paint helps to waterproof your soffits and fascias and prevent water from entering your property, causing damp and mould.

Plus, nicely painted soffits and fascias gives your house excellent kerb appeal, which is great if you're trying to sell your home.

How long does it take to paint soffits and fascias?

How long it takes to paint soffits and fascias will depend on how big your home is and how much prep work is needed.

If the existing paint on your soffits and fascias is peeling and flaking off, your decorator will need to remove this to get a good surface to paint on. This will increase the time the job takes.

For a terraced house, expect it to take around two days to paint your soffits and fascias. For a semi-detached or detached house, it could take between three and four days.

How do you clean soffits before painting?

The quickest and easiest way to clean your soffits before painting is to use a pressure washer. An exterior painter may include doing this in their quote – make sure you ask them first.

The pressure washer will clean off dirt and debris and blast off any flaking and peeling paint. If the painter doesn’t use a pressure washer, they will use a sugar soap and water solution with a cloth or sponge to clean your soffits and fascias. They may use a scraper to gently remove any peeling paint.

How many coats of paint do you need on a fascia?

Any good exterior painter and decorator will recommend that you use at least two coats of paint on your fascias and soffits. Applying two coats ensures that you get good coverage to allow for the colour to look bold and to make sure every nook and cranny is coated and therefore weatherproofed.

Depending on the type of paint you use, you might need a third coat. We'd advise finding a good quality brand that will provide enough coverage with two coats as it will probably cost you less. If you use a thin, low-quality paint, the chances are you'll have to ask a painter to repaint your soffits and fascias much sooner.

Choose a brand like Ronseal, Zinsser or Dulux for a high-quality finish. Your painter should be able to help you choose the right paint for your soffits and fascias.

What colour should soffits be painted?

What colour your soffits should be painted is completely up to you! The most popular colour in the UK is white as lots of people have white uPVC guttering, but there's no reason why you have to do this.

There's an increasing trend to paint your soffits and fascias in a more bold colour. For example, lots of people are choosing a dark blue/grey colour. Other painters recommend choosing a brighter or bolder colour for your fascias with a lighter colour for your soffits to allow them to complement each other without being overwhelming.

Should I paint or replace soffits and fascias?

Whether you should paint or replace soffits and fascias will depend on their condition.

If you have wooden soffits and fascias, you should be able to tell easily whether they need replacing. If they are starting to rot, you must replace them. Once wood soffits and fascias are rotten, they will stop protecting your home from damp and mould.

If it's just the paint that's peeling, you can just paint them.

With uPVC soffits and fascias, check for cracks and weaknesses in the material. If everything looks good, you can simply paint them, but if you notice any defects it's safer to replace them.

It costs between £85-£115 per metre to replace your soffits and fascias, so it’s worth painting them and keeping them in good condition for as long as possible.

Ready to get quotes to paint your soffits and fascias? Make sure you get a range of quotes so you can compare them and get the best price. Post your job on HaMuch now and we'll put you in touch with local exterior painters and decorators that are available to do the work.

Estimates for common painter and decorator jobs;

Rates for other trades