How much does it cost to replace a single garage roof in the UK?

A standard single garage roof (18 to 20m²) costs £900 to £1,450 for felt replacement, £1,260 to £1,800 for EPDM rubber and £1,620 to £2,340 for GRP fibreglass in 2026. These figures include materials and labour but exclude deck repairs and waste disposal.

What is the best material for a garage roof replacement?

EPDM rubber is the best whole-life value for most UK garage roofs. It lasts 25 to 40 years with minimal maintenance and costs less over a 40-year period than repeated felt replacements. GRP fibreglass is the better choice if the roof is walked on or if a seamless, rigid finish is required.

How long does a garage roof replacement take?

A standard single garage replacement takes one to two days. Larger double garage roofs or those requiring deck repairs typically take two to four days. GRP fibreglass takes slightly longer due to multi-layer application and curing time requirements.

Can I replace a garage roof myself?

Felt replacement on a simple low-pitch garage roof is within the capability of an experienced DIYer, though poor detailing at flashings and edges, where most leaks originate, is the most common DIY failure point. EPDM and GRP installations are technically possible but manufacturer warranties often require certified installer sign-off and Building Regulations compliance requires appropriate documentation. For any roof with deck rot, asbestos or insulation requirements, a professional contractor is strongly recommended.

Will my home insurance cover a garage roof replacement?

Storm damage is often covered under home buildings insurance. Gradual deterioration and general wear is typically excluded. If your garage roof has been damaged in a storm or by a falling object, contact your insurer before arranging repairs and document the damage with photographs.

Do I need to tell anyone before replacing my garage roof?

Not for a standard like-for-like replacement. If more than 50% of the covering is being replaced, building control notification is required for insulation compliance. If you are converting from flat to pitched, or if your property is listed or in a conservation area, contact your local planning authority first.

Home & Property

Garage Roof Replacement Cost Calculator UK

Enter your garage size, roof type and chosen material to instantly estimate your garage roof replacement cost, including a comparison across felt, EPDM rubber and GRP fibreglass for single and double garages.

Roof Details

Garage Size

Roofing Material

Asbestos Removal Required?Does your current roof contain asbestos sheets? Specialist removal and disposal adds significant cost.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

felt Roof Installation£800 - £1,120

Total Estimated Range:

£800 - £1,120Includes basic materials, labor, and standard waste disposal. Excludes major joist repairs.

Material Quick Guide

Felt (Budget Option)
Cheapest to install, but typically only lasts 10-15 years before needing repairs.
EPDM Rubber (Best Value)
Installed in a single seam-free piece. Highly waterproof and lasts up to 50 years.
Fibreglass/GRP (Premium)
Extremely tough, visually appealing, and very long-lasting. Costs the most to install.

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How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Garage Roof in the UK?

A leaking garage roof presents a massive danger to the structure of the garage itself and any items stored inside. Depending on the size of your garage and the material you choose, a full replacement can cost anywhere from £800 to over £3,000. Use our calculator above for an instant estimate, or read on to understand exactly where those costs come from.

1. Size of the Garage

The most obvious cost factor is the area of the roof. Roofers price jobs per square metre (m²).

Single Garage: Usually around 3 metres by 5 metres (15m²).
Double Garage: Usually around 6 metres by 5 metres (30m²).

2. Choosing the Right Roofing Material

The material you choose will heavily dictate the final invoice:

Traditional Felt: The most common flat roofing material in the UK for older garages. It is applied in layers with hot bitumen or torched on. While cheap initially, it is prone to blistering in the sun and cracking in the winter. Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
EPDM (Rubber Roofing): EPDM has rapidly replaced felt as the go-to flat roof product. It's often installed as one single, seamless sheet which drastically cuts down the risk of leaks at joints. It handles UK weather brilliantly. Life expectancy: 40–50 years.
GRP (Fibreglass): Glass Reinforced Plastic is extremely tough (you can safely walk on it) and has no seams. It involves painting resins and laying fibreglass matting. It looks the smartest but requires dry weather to cure properly, and costs the most. Life expectancy: 30+ years.

3. The Danger (and Cost) of Asbestos

If your garage was built before the year 2000, there is a very high chance the corrugated roof sheets contain white asbestos (chrysotile).

You cannot just throw asbestos sheets into a standard skip. They must be carefully dismantled (without breaking them), double-wrapped in heavy-duty polythene, and transported to a licensed hazardous waste facility. Because of the PPE, breathing apparatus, and legal disposal fees required, removing an asbestos garage roof will easily add £750 to £2000 to your overall bill. Do not attempt to strip an asbestos roof yourself.

Do I Need Planning Permission?

In almost all cases in the UK, simply replacing the existing roof on a standalone garage falls under Permitted Development, meaning you do not need planning permission. However, if you are significantly increasing the height of the roof (for example, converting a flat roof into a pitched roof), you should check with your local council's planning portal.

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How Much Does a Garage Roof Replacement Cost?

Replacing a garage roof costs between £750 and £3,500 for most UK homes in 2026. The final figure depends on garage size, material choice and whether the timber deck underneath needs attention once the old covering is stripped.

Garage Type	Roof Area	Felt	EPDM Rubber	GRP Fibreglass
Small single (up to 15m²)	~15m²	£750 – £1,200	£1,050 – £1,500	£1,350 – £1,950
Standard single (18–20m²)	~18m²	£900 – £1,450	£1,260 – £1,800	£1,620 – £2,340
Large single (up to 25m²)	~25m²	£1,250 – £1,750	£1,500 – £2,375	£2,000 – £3,250
Double garage (28–35m²)	~30m²	£1,500 – £2,100	£1,800 – £2,850	£2,400 – £3,900
These figures include materials, labour, edge trims and standard drainage details. They exclude deck repairs, waste removal, insulation upgrades and scaffolding, all covered below.

Garage Roof Materials Comparison

Your material choice is the most significant variable in any garage roof quote. Here is how the main options compare in 2026:

Garage Roof Material Costs & Lifespan

Material	Cost Per m² (Installed)	Lifespan	Best For
Traditional felt	£50 – £80	10–20 years	Budget garage roofs, low-use outbuildings
EPDM rubber	£70 – £100	25–40 years	Most garages, best whole-life value
GRP fibreglass	£90 – £130	25–30 years	Modern garages, any foot traffic
Corrugated metal	£40 – £90	20+ years	Agricultural or utility garages

EPDM rubber is the best whole-life value for most residential garages. It comes in large single sheets, eliminating the seams where leaks typically start and requires virtually no maintenance once installed correctly.

GRP fibreglass is the right choice for garages where the roof is walked on, a converted roof space, storage platform or balcony above. The seamless rigid surface handles foot traffic and is highly resistant to leaks.

Flat vs Pitched Garage Roof

The vast majority of UK garages have flat roofs. If your garage is one of the minority with a pitched (sloping) roof, replacement costs differ significantly.

Flat garage roof replacement is almost always the cheaper option for like-for-like work because flat systems are less structurally complex to install. Converting a flat garage roof to a pitched alternative typically costs £3,000 to £6,000 on top of standard replacement.

Additional Costs to Budget For

Deck repairs: Replacing rotten decking costs £25 to £35 per m². Budget a contingency of £200 to £500.
Waste removal and disposal: Confirm strip-out and skip hire (£200 to £300) are included in the quote.
Insulation upgrade: Adding 50mm rigid insulation costs £500 to £800 and prevents condensation.
Guttering and fascias: Combining gutter replacement with roofing eliminates separate setup costs.
Asbestos testing and removal: Corrugated garage roofs before 2000 may contain asbestos. Testing costs £50 to £100.

Repair vs Replacement

Repairing a garage roof is cheaper in the short term but replacement is usually more cost-effective once recurring problems appear.

Repair is appropriate when:

Damage is isolated to a small area and the rest of the covering is sound
The roof is relatively recent and under guarantee
The underlying deck is dry and structurally solid

Replacement is the right choice when:

Leaks recur after previous repairs
The felt roof is over 12 to 15 years old
The deck feels soft or bouncy underfoot
Water pools for more than 48 hours after rain

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

Like-for-like garage roof replacement does not require planning permission in England and Wales in most cases. Building Regulations apply when more than 50% of the roof covering is replaced, specifically for insulation compliance under Part L.

Related Property & Roofing Calculators

References & Authorities

Planning Portal Guidance on Outbuildings & Garages
NFRC National Federation of Roofing Contractors
HSE Guidelines on Asbestos in Roofing Sheets and Outbuildings

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