Soffit Replacement: What You Need to Know - Retex Roofing and Exteriors

If you’re a homeowner in Gainesville, Florida, you know that roofs require regular maintenance to withstand our hot summers and hurricane seasons. However, one part of your roof you may have overlooked is the soffit and fascia. These small yet mighty parts play a significant role in protecting your roof and home, and occasionally, they need maintenance or replacement. This article will cover everything you need to know about a soffit replacement and answer the common questions we receive about this service!

What Are Soffit & Fascia?

Soffit and fascia work together to protect your roof and home. Soffit is the material that lines the underside of your roof’s eaves. Fascia, on the other hand, lays upright and is connected to the soffit and your roof. Without these materials, your roof and home would be at risk for water damage from high-wind storms.

Soffit also provides ventilation in your attic to avoid excessive humidity getting trapped in your attic, which can cause damage and make your home uncomfortable. If you’re curious if your home has soffit and fascia, the easiest way to tell is to walk along the edge of your home and look up towards the parts of the roof that extend beyond your home’s walls.

What’s the Cost to Replace Soffit and Fascia?

Like any other roofing project, a soffit replacement’s cost will vary from roof to roof. However, in the year 2024, Angi estimates that the price range homeowners are paying is around $1,020–$2,910 with the average falling at about $2,000. If you have a smaller home, the cost may be closer to $1,000, but larger, multi-story homes could range as high as $5,000.

Factors That Impact Price

No one size fits all with soffit replacement. There are several factors that can impact the cost of replacing soffit and fascia. Some of these factors include the following:

1. Extent of Damage

If you’re replacing your soffit due to damage, the price is going to depend on how extensive the damage is. If only one section of your soffit or fascia is damaged, it will be an easier repair and require fewer materials, reducing the price. However, if the damage is extensive enough, a reputable roofer may suggest replacing all of your soffit in order to protect your roof in the long term.

2. Material & Labor Costs

Materials used and labor costs are going to be the two most important factors in determining your replacement’s cost. Labor alone can range from $6–$20 per linear foot of replacement needed. If your home is two or more stories, your roofers may add additional cost to labor due to the risk involved with the extended height.

Likewise, there are several materials you can choose from for your soffit replacement, and each of them has its own price range. These were the prices of materials per linear foot for 2024 according to Architectural Digest:

Wood: $1–$3
Fiber Cement: $1–$5
Composite: $1–$8
Plastic: $3–$7
Vinyl: $5–$7
Aluminum: $8–$20

3. Size & Accessibility

The size of your home will determine the price of your replacement. The more linear feet your roofer has to cover, the more you’ll expect to spend on both materials and labor. Similarly, if your roof has hard-to-reach spots, your roofer may require more time and even specialized tools to complete the replacement.

4. Removal of Old Materials

If you already have soffit and fascia installed, your roofer will need to remove the old materials in order to install the new ones. This adds an extra labor cost but is well worth it to make sure your home, roof, and gutters are properly protected.

5. Painting

If you choose wood as your material, you may want it painted to match your house. Plus, painting the wood helps seal it from the elements a bit more and prevents rot or water damage. Painting does add an additional cost to your replacement, but because wood is the cheapest option for soffit material, it may be worth the extra cost to ensure your home is pleasing to the eye and protected.

What’s the Best Material to Use?

Typically, most roofers would recommend aluminum as the best material for your roof’s soffit and fascia. While it is the most expensive material, it has a myriad of benefits, especially for Florida homeowners. These benefits include:

Weather resistance
Doesn’t rot, crack, or warp due to heat or water damage
Requires minimal maintenance
Flame resistance
Not prone to pests
Durable and long-lasting

The other materials require more upkeep and are more prone to damage — even vinyl is known to crack in extreme heat. Ultimately, talk with your roofer to see which material is best for you and your home.

Signs You Need a Fascia & Soffit Replacement

The following are signs that you may require a fascia and soffit replacement:

Visible signs of damage such as sagging, cracks, or warping
Increased pest presence, or even an infestation, in your attic
Leaks in your home
Paint peeling, especially on wood soffit
Gutter damage
Poor roof ventilation
It’s been more than 20–30 years since it was last replaced

Can You Replace Soffit Yourself?

While you can replace roof soffit by yourself, we’d recommend you hire a professional unless you’re completely comfortable on a ladder and using specialized home project tools. Not only is it safer to hire a professional, but an experienced roofer will be able to ensure the soffit is replaced correctly so future repairs aren’t needed to fix installation mistakes. If you want to save some money, you may want to consider removing old materials yourself or painting the materials if you decide to go with wood; however, even this comes with risks.

In summary, hiring a roofer for a soffit replacement is safer and more efficient than trying to do it yourself.

Protect Your Gutters with Retex Roofing’s Soffit Replacement Services!

Whatever your roofing needs, Retex Roofing and Exterior can help you get the job done! Through our gutter services, soffit replacement, and roof repair services, we can help ensure your soffit and fascia are in working order. Get a free quote today by calling (352) 222-8777 for your roof’s soffit replacement!