upvc fascias: piglet john are you around?!

[eachpeachbarebum]

Hi. Looking for some straight talking advice on getting replacement fascias soffit and gutters!
I've had a couple of quotes and am confused. One said they use thicker upvc than others to be more robust. The other said it's rubbish it only comes in one thickness.
They both say they will chop out rotten wood and replace it before fitting. Another local company says it all needs to be removed otherwise the wood will sweat and rot.
They are asking if we want square or round gutters! I am so confused but it does really need doing before another winter. We have a modern house, all others in the road have upvc so it seems sensible but I don't want to make a costly mistake!

[PigletJohn]

I think the soffit used is about 12mm thick. I would prefer to have the old wooden soffits pulled off and the new screwed to the roof timbers. Presumably you are replacing the old because it is rotting. It will only get worse.

Personally I would use stainless screws, but I am on the coast and BZP rusts within a year. It will add several pounds to the contractors costs.

The work should be done off scaffolding, not a ladder, though some firms may have a cherry-picker.

Round gutters will be easier to match in years to come.

They make have to take of two or three rows of tiles at the edge to get the felt dripping into the gutter.

Have you consulted a roofing co, or is it a plastic fitting co?

[eachpeachbarebum]

Wow thanks piglet that's very helpful
It is a roofing company/home maintenance, family run.
I think I'll get a couple more quotes and am guessing you'd say a roofing company would be more likely to ensure things like the edges, felt etc were all lined up and finished properly. I think you can tell from the way I'm describing it that I don't have a clue!
I find it so difficult to line up work. I got ripped off bya bathroom fitter years ago and have never trusted anyone since!

[eachpeachbarebum]

Oh by cherry picker do you mean a platform.they said they had two tower platforms that they will move around so no need for full scaffolding.

[PigletJohn]

cherry picker is like a platform on a crane attached to van or truck.

Motorised towers do exist but I expect they mean a scaffold tower which they will put up and down as they work along.

[eachpeachbarebum]

Thanks piglet. Yes think they do just mean a tower. No motors involved!