Asbestos garage roof removal and replacement
Most owners do not want to deal with an asbestos roof, they want a garage that stops leaking. This is the whole job in one go: the old asbestos cement sheets come off, the waste is taken away with the proper paperwork, and a new roof goes on.
Why one job beats two
Taking an asbestos roof off is a specialist task. Putting a new roof on is a roofing task. Hiring separately means two quotes, two sets of dates and a garage left open to the weather in between. Pairing removal with the new roof means the garage is only uncovered for a short time, usually a day or two for a single garage.
It also avoids the common problem of a removal-only contractor leaving the owner with bare timbers and no idea who should fit the new roof or what to ask them for.
How the job normally runs
First the photos are reviewed. Corrugated cement sheeting on a pre-2000 garage is normally treated as asbestos, and a small sample is only taken if there is real doubt, because some older roofs turn out not to contain asbestos. If it is treated as asbestos, the contractor plans the work: how the sheets will be taken off without breaking them, how they will be wrapped, and where the waste will go.
The sheets are lifted off whole where possible, wrapped and labelled, and removed as hazardous waste under a consignment or transfer note. The timbers are then checked and repaired where needed, and the new roof is fitted. Steel box profile sheets are the usual choice because they are light, durable and quick to fit.
What the new roof is made of
Most owners choose pre-coated steel box profile sheeting. It is light enough for old garage timbers, does not need regular painting and is available in a few colours. Insulated or anti-condensation backed sheets are available if the garage is used as a workshop or for storage that does not like damp.
Other options include cement-free fibre sheets, bitumen corrugated sheets or a flat roof system on a flat or low-pitched garage. Our roof options guide compares them.
What it costs
UK firms commonly quote in the region of £2,000 to £3,500 for removing and replacing the roof of a single garage, and more for a double garage. The final price depends on size, access, condition of the timbers and the roof you choose. Our cost guide explains the ranges. Nothing is final until the roof has been confirmed and the job inspected.
Common questions
How long does removal and a new roof take?
Do I need planning permission for a new garage roof?
Can the new roof be fitted straight over the old asbestos sheets?
Tell us about the garage
Send photos, get one price for the roof off and the new roof on.
Send photos, get a quote
Postcode, garage size and a few photos of the roof from the ground are enough to start.