Seb Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 *Long post, sorry!* Just bought my first house and have only just started doing it up, managed to strip the wallpaper (and some of the plasterboard on my kitchen wall...) so far. Saturday morning I look out of the window to see two MPVs pull up and about 20 blokes jump out and knock on every door on the street. Turns out they are from Anglian Home Improvements and the rather keen salesman offers me a free quote on getting new soffits and fascias. Fine, whatever I say, keen to get rid of him. Two hours later, the soffit man turns up and goes through the sales spiel before measuring up my house. Much teeth sucking ensues as he tells me that I have asbestos soffits (it's a 70s build, so possible) and that my fascias are about to fall apart (they do look a bit tatty). Starts telling me that I could b sitting in the garden and suddenly asbestos fibres will attack me and I'll die or the fascia will collapse, killing and maiming anyone in a 1 mile radius (something like that). I declined to have the work done, even at their special 'showhome' price (), but how concerned should I be about asbestos soffits and how much is a reasonable amount to pay to get new fascias and soffits installed? Thanks guys! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Paint over them and never look up again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Speak to RobSheffield. That's his area of expertise IIRC Well the asbestos part anyway. BTW are you feeling a bit wheezy at all? No? Just wondered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazB Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Just leave them alone, asbestos doesn't cahse after you. It has to be disturbed and then you have to inhale the fibres. If you feel the need paint it to seal the fibres in, don't rub them down with anything abrasive though You could over board them with UPVC also if the timber supports are ok. Best bet though is leave them alone until you have a 3/4 grand to spend depending on the size of your house, then give me a shout and i'll get a team of lads down to you and sort them out http://www.asbestex.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I had much the same sort experience when I asked for a free quote for roof insulation. Apparently most of my roof tiles were about to fall off and would need fixing first. Considering my neighbour had the same work done 3 years ago for £250, their "best price" quote of over £800 did not get a favourable reaction. Strangely, when I told them I wasn't interested, their best price came down to under £600. I still f'd them off though. I never respond to door-to-door salesmen these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Our old next door neighbour had his done and they had a team in suits taking the asbestos down, face masks the lot On ours and all the others down the street that have had it done, the fitters just yanked the old crap off and put up new. I think as long as it's not smashed to pieces when removed it's OK? Probably a way of making extra cash for the larger companies and a way to scare people into getting it replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefyblx Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Our old next door neighbour had his done and they had a team in suits taking the asbestos down, face masks the lot On ours and all the others down the street that have had it done, the fitters just yanked the old crap off and put up new. I think as long as it's not smashed to pieces when removed it's OK? Probably a way of making extra cash for the larger companies and a way to scare people into getting it replaced. Our company policy is to wear masks even if its artex or cement based asbestos like flu pipes and as mentioned soffits. Most company's especially the small ones will just turn up with a pair of white overalls on and rip it to the floor!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Our company policy is to wear masks even if its artex or cement based asbestos like flu pipes and as mentioned soffits. Most company's especially the small ones will just turn up with a pair of white overalls on and rip it to the floor!! Fair enough, the ones that did ours didn't bother with masks but that's their choice. The neighbour though had full scaffolding front and back, plastic sheeting. a proper asbestos removal company taking a day or so to remove and then the team came and replaced with new. IMO this is a bit OTT, would you agree? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aero-M Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I still rip it off in just a mask, If I put it in the van. To replace fascia's and soffits, is expensive if you go to the bigger companys. They have to have the house scaffloded which adds about a grand to a detached house, then overheads etc. I did 5 private fascia jobs last year , earn't a good wage from them and supplied all the materials, tower scaffold etc. Was coming in a good 50-60% cheaper than peoples best quotes. Materials are very cheap, i.e one customer had a price of 4k as his best, I did the whole job for 1650. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beefyblx Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Fair enough, the ones that did ours didn't bother with masks but that's their choice. The neighbour though had full scaffolding front and back, plastic sheeting. a proper asbestos removal company taking a day or so to remove and then the team came and replaced with new. IMO this is a bit OTT, would you agree? I do agree, But you will find that the women mite have claimed on her insurance in which they have to get a licensed asbestos removal company, They will have to do it properly with full sheeting under negative pressure and full face masks. If you go private joe bloggs could to it. Its stupid really but thats the way it is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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