Garage Roof Repair Guide: Materials, Planning Rules & Budget Breakdown

Why Timely Garage Roof Repairs Matter

Your garage might not be the main part of your home, but it’s still a structure that protects valuable tools, vehicles, and even home office conversions.

A failing garage roof not only threatens the structure itself but also everything inside. Investing in timely repairs prevents serious and expensive issues later on.

Signs Your Garage Roof Needs Repair

- Water stains or dripping inside your garage

- Cracks, sagging or splits in felt, rubber or panels

- Growth of moss, algae or mould

- Rusting or corrosion (for metal roofs)

- Crumbling or weathered asbestos cement sheets

- Cold spots or excessive heat loss

Perform regular inspections—especially before winter—to catch these signs early.

Choosing the Right Roofing Material

Garage roofs come in flat, pitched, and slightly domed shapes. The material you choose depends on your garage’s design, budget, and long-term maintenance goals.

Felt Roofing

Felt is cost-effective and suitable for flat garages. It lasts around 10–15 years but is less resistant to extreme weather.

EPDM Rubber

EPDM is weather-resistant, durable and recyclable. It can last up to 30 years and works well for flat or low-slope roofs.

GRP Fibreglass

This material offers a sleek finish and high leak resistance. It’s a low-maintenance choice with a lifespan of over 25 years.

Metal Sheets

Steel or aluminium sheeting provides strength and durability. When well maintained, it can last over 40 years.

Tiles or Slates

Ideal for garages attached to homes. Although more expensive, they are long-lasting and visually appealing.

Asbestos Garage Roofs: What You Need to Know

Garages built before 2000 may contain asbestos cement. Intact, it’s stable. But once damaged, it becomes a serious health risk.

Handling Asbestos Safely

- Do not disturb or cut asbestos sheets

- Do not attempt DIY removal

- Hire licensed asbestos removal contractors

- Replace asbestos with safe modern alternatives like GRP or metal

Planning Permission for Garage Roof Repairs

In most cases, garage roof repairs fall under Permitted Development. But there are exceptions.

You may need permission if:

- Your property is listed or in a conservation area

- You plan to increase the height or change the roof’s pitch

- The replacement materials are drastically different

- You live in a designated Article 4 Direction zone

Garage Roof Repair Cost Breakdown

Here are the estimated costs by material:

Material	Cost Range (per m²)	Lifespan
Felt	£40–£60	10–15 years
EPDM Rubber	£70–£90	20–30 years
GRP Fibreglass	£90–£120	25+ years
Metal Sheeting	£60–£100	30+ years
Tiles/Slates	£100–£150	40+ years

Additional Costs:

- Labour: £150–£250 per day

- Asbestos removal: £500–£1,500+

- Skip hire: £150–£300

- Scaffolding (if required): £200–£500

Why Choose Advanced Roofing Specialists

We’re an NVQ-qualified, family-run company serving Norfolk and Suffolk. We specialise in:

- New garage roofs and full re-roofing- Flat, pitched, tiled, and metal roofing- Safe asbestos removal and replacement- Leadwork, fascia and guttering solutions- Skylight and rooflight installations

Customer Feedback

“These guys are fantastic! Got me out of a pickle with a leaking flat roof. They even came out on a Sunday morning. Very professional and competitively priced.” – Rowan Nichols ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📞 Request a Same-Day Garage-Roof Quote

Call 07861700195 or visit www.advancedroofingspecialists.co.uk to book your free consultation.We’re fast, fully insured, and proudly serve Norfolk and Suffolk with expert roofing advice and solutions.