Garage Roof Replacement Cost Guide 2024: How Much For a New Roof?

By Kane
Last updated 6th November 2024 - Reading time: 13 mins
At a glance
  • The average cost to replace a garage roof is around £750
  • The job will usually take about 1 - 2 days
In this article, you'll discover the following:
  • A complete pricing information breakdown, including what important things you need to consider and what such a job usually entails
  • How long the job will typically take and a general overview of what kind of jobs can be carried out
  • How to find and hire a roofing specialist

Trying to find out how much a new garage roof will cost?

In this complete garage roofs price guide, we breakdown garage roof replacement costs by material and size. We also look at the cost of hiring a specialist to replace and install a new garage roof.

On average, you can expect to pay around £750 for a complete garage roof overhaul.

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Continue reading for more details on what’s involved in garage roof replacement

metal garage roof

Average Cost of Replacing a Garage Roof

This type of job should take 1-2 days to complete

£750

How Much is a New Garage Roof?

A garage roof may need replacing due to a number of reasons. It has either been subject to damage due to weather or an accident. Or perhaps it is just down to the usual wear that happens to years spent in the open, taking on the full force of the often unforgiving Great British weather.

You may have even just moved into an older property, and you feel a bit of a cosmetic makeover is in order.

You should also look at replacing an older garage roof, as it is likely to contain asbestos - and we all know this is not considered a safe material, especially if damaged. As it can get into your lungs and cause health risks further along.

In any case, any such damage or wear can lead to further problems if your garage then becomes exposed to the outside elements - mostly rain. A leak in your garage roof and long exposure to moisture can lead to dampness and mould. This can be an especially significant problem if the garage is connected to the main building, leading to the spread of damp and mould to your home.

A damaged garage roof, leading to leakages, may also lead to more hazardous problems, such as slippery surfaces and rotting timber.

Replacing a garage roof is a tough task but certainly manageable by an experienced DIY enthusiast. However, there are many factors to consider when taking on this task, so it may be in your best interest to hire a qualified tradesman such as a roofer.

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My existing Garage flat roof has puddles after rain. Do I need a new roof with proper drainage, or just a repair job?

"If your flat roof is puddling it means it doesn’t have the correct fall towards guttering so would recommend a new roof"

Replacement Garage Roof Prices

Job Description Duration Material Cost Labour Cost
Single Garage Flat Roof Material Replacement 1 Day £450 £350
Double Garage Flat Roof Material Replacement 1 Day £700 £350
Single Garage Full Replacement Including Timber 2 Days £900 £350
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Types of Garage Roofs

Flat Garage Roof

A flat garage roof is a popular choice for many homeowners due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Typically constructed from waterproof materials such as felt, EPDM rubber, or fibreglass, a flat garage roof provides a simple and practical solution for your garage.

flat garage roof

These roofs are especially common for attached garages, offering a straightforward and affordable roofing option. Flat garage roofs are designed to be functional and efficient, making them an excellent choice for those looking to keep costs down while ensuring their garage remains protected from the elements.

Pitched Roof

A pitched roof is a more traditional type of garage roof with a sloping surface, providing both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. Commonly made from materials such as tiles, slates, or corrugated metal, pitched roofs are designed to enhance the visual appeal of your garage while ensuring effective water runoff.

This type of roof is often used for detached garages, offering a classic and timeless look that complements various architectural styles. If you’re aiming for a more elegant and enduring appearance for your garage, a pitched roof is an excellent option to consider.

Garage Roof Materials

Felt Roofing

Felt roofing is a popular choice for garage roofs due to its affordability and ease of installation. Made from a layer of bitumen felt applied to the roof surface, this material provides a reliable waterproof barrier. Felt roofing is an excellent option for those seeking a cost-effective solution for their garage roof replacement.

felt garage roof

However, it’s important to note that while felt roofing is budget-friendly and straightforward to install, it may not offer the same level of durability as some other roofing materials. For homeowners looking to balance cost and functionality, felt roofing remains a viable and practical choice.

Things to Consider When Replacing a Garage Roof

If you have decided to go ahead and replace your garage roof, it’s time now to go through the options of what materials you want to use and the type of roof you have.

A flat garage roof can collect or pool water if not designed and constructed properly, as it has no natural drainage. A pitched roof will have the obvious added benefit of a slope, allowing water and other debris to run off the roof.

However, this can be quite a costly, time-consuming job. Changing a flat roof to a pitched roof means you will need to have further foundations installed to help support the roof. If you already have one, sticking with a flat roof will probably be the better option.

In terms of drainage, most flat roofs should be constructed to incorporate a slight slope running from one end to the other, allowing for rainwater to run off the roof into the gutter. It may be tricky to get right if you are planning on replacing the roof yourself.

The type of material you choose will also come down to a number of factors. This will include durability, resistance to weather, waterproof capabilities and, of course, the cost.

garage roof

You must also consider what you intend to use the garage for. If you are keeping the garage as space to park your car, could you get away with materials at the cheaper end of the scale?

For a pitched roof, most specialists would probably recommend any corrugated metal sheet for your garage roof. This is due to corrugated materials being weatherproof, and lightweight, the corrugation also adds to the durability and helps with drainage as the water collects and runs along its ridges.

You have a few options for flat roofs, one being torch-on bitumen felt, which is layered on using a naked flame, almost like tarmac as it is heated. This type of procedure shouldn’t really be attempted by non-professionals. This type of material comes in at different price points, and is highly regarded due to its durability.

When deciding on hiring a specialist to carry out the job, you have a few options: you can hire a trained roofer, a builder, or a specialist roofing company. Our advice is to receive quotes from all parties. However, a tradesman will likely offer you better, more competitive rates.

If you have decided to replace the garage roof yourself, you may want to consider the fact that the old roof will likely be made from asbestos. If this is the case, then having this removed will have to be done by a professional, as it will also need to be disposed of responsibly. Unfortunately, this is not a cheap job and could run up into the high hundreds.

Once you have removed the old roof material and any materials or layers underneath, you will then need to check the roof structure, especially if it is timber.

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How to Replace a Garage Roof

Replacing a garage roof is certainly not an easy task, and understanding the garage roof replacement process is crucial. You may consider leaving it out in favour of hiring a professional tradesman. At times, the work can be quite strenuous and even as far as backbreaking!

Our advice is, if you are determined to get the job done yourself, then it would be best to ask for some help. Ideally, from friends or people you may know who have done this job before or are at least familiar with roof work. This is a simple guide for replacing your roof with corrugated sheets.

To start, remove the old roofing; this is usually a two-man job, especially if it is heavy asphalt shingles. You will be up and down the ladder, filling and carting off the heavy material.

Once you have removed the old roof material and any materials or layers underneath, you will then need to check the foundations of the roof itself, especially if it is timber.

You do not want to place a new roof on already rotting timber. In most cases, this will not be needed. However, it is best to tackle it there and then if you do have that problem. The downside is it will probably add a few more costs and days to your project, but it is worth doing whilst you have the chance.

The next step is to lay down your replacement roofing. Just before doing so, you will need to make sure the roof takes on a slight slope towards the guttering for the water to run. If you are replacing a flat roof with another, this should already be in place with joists fitted to create this slope.

garage roof

You may need to replace it if the timber has warped. If you use corrugated sheets, this will be the best time to ask for assistance, as they must be straight when nailing into the joists.

Be sure to use the appropriate tools for this job. For instance, you will need to use suitable roofing nails. When hammering in the nails, they should be placed every 2-3 bumps apart, and make sure they are nailed into the top bumps of the corrugated sheets and not in the grooves as this is where the water will run along.

Once you have completed this, you can move on to the guttering. Again, this can be quite a strenuous task and is not easy. So, if you can, ask for some assistance. You also do not want to tackle this job if you do not have a head for heights!

Checklist for Replacing a Garage Roof

  • There are a number of materials and types of roofs for your garage to choose from.
  • Corrugated sheets made of materials such as metal and bitumen are durable, weather-resistant and often lightweight.
  • Make sure you obtain quotes from tradesmen, as roofing companies will often charge over the odds.
  • Replacing a garage roof will be needed if there is consistent leaking, which can lead to the rotting of timber foundations.
  • Ensure to ask any roofer you hire to construct the roof to include a slight slope for drainage.
  • Consider the various roof covering options, such as felt, EPDM, and metal. Each material has its own benefits in terms of durability, cost, and suitability for different garage types. Be mindful of building regulations and maintenance requirements when selecting a roof covering.
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FAQs

Which material is best for a garage roof?
For a garage roof, there isn't really one best material. However, most specialists will probably advise you to go for any materials that are corrugated. One of the most popular types of roofing is corrugated sheets, which you can get in metal, bitumen, plastic and a number of other materials.

Metal is the sturdier material you can choose from, however, bitumen is a low cost and lightweight alternative, which is also easy to work with if you plan on doing the job yourself.
What do I do if my current garage roof is made from asbestos?
In most cases, older garage roofs are going to be made from asbestos, however, we all know now that it is not a safe material, and can be hazardous to your health.

To remove your asbestos roof, you will need to hire a specialist company to do so, as they will have the protective gear to do so, whilst also being able to dispose of the asbestos responsibly. Unfortunately, this is not cheap, and may cost you up into the high hundreds.
How do I know if my garage roof needs replacing?
The first and probably most obvious sign will be a leak in the roof or any sign of moisture coming in. You can spot this by any pools of water on the ground, or collecting on shelving or anything else in the garage.

You may also notice rotting of timber and general dampness of the foundations themselves. Other signs may be rust and physical damage or tears to the roofing, especially if you already have sheets.
Could I replace the garage roof myself?
As a DIY job, we wouldn't really recommend replacing your garage roof yourself. This is due to the physical nature of the job, as you will have to haul material up and down ladders for hours at a time. If you feel you can take the task on yourself, then it will be best to ask for helping hand from at one or two more people, ideally someone who has experience in roofing work.

Sources

https://nucrete.co.uk/do-you-need-planning-permission-to-convert-a-double-garage/

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