Garage roofs & cement sheets
Asbestos garage roof removal: costs and what to expect
Grey corrugated garage and shed roofs are the most common asbestos job we do. Here's how to tell what you've got, what it costs to remove, and why a pressure washer is a bad idea.
Is my garage roof asbestos?
If the roof is grey, corrugated, slightly furry-looking and the building went up before 2000, there's a good chance it's asbestos cement. The same material was used for shed and lean-to roofs, wall cladding, gutters, downpipes, flues and water tanks. Only a laboratory test confirms it, but most cement sheets from that era contained some asbestos.
Is it dangerous?
Asbestos cement is one of the lower-risk materials because the fibres are bound into the cement. Left alone in reasonable condition, it's usually low risk. It becomes a problem when it's broken, drilled, cut or cleaned with a pressure washer, which releases fibres and spreads contaminated debris across the garden. Old, brittle, moss-covered sheets are also a safety risk to anyone who climbs on them.
What removal involves
For a typical single garage, the team wet the sheets to keep dust down, remove them whole wherever possible, wrap them in heavy-duty polythene and take them away as hazardous waste. Most single garage roofs are done in a morning. You get a consignment note confirming legal disposal, and the roof is ready for your roofer or builder. Our garage roof guide goes into more detail.
Garage ceilings are different
Some garages also have a flat board ceiling underneath the roof. That board is sometimes asbestos insulating board (AIB), which is licensed work with a 14-day HSE notification and a full enclosure. If you're not sure which you've got, send us a photo. Our garage ceiling case study shows the difference.
Taking the whole garage down
If you're demolishing the garage, the asbestos stage comes first. Once the cement sheets and any AIB are removed, a general builder can take down the rest. See full garage demolition costs.
Typical costs
Our standard rate for straightforward non-licensed domestic work is £25 per m². These are typical prices including disposal and paperwork — every job is confirmed with a fixed written quote.
Prices vary with size, height and access. Full breakdown in our asbestos removal cost guide.
Common questions
Can I take an asbestos roof to the tip?
Most household waste sites won't accept it, and those that do need it properly wrapped and booked in advance. We take it away for you with full paperwork.
Can you quote from a photo?
For most single garage and shed roofs, yes. Send a photo and rough measurements and we'll give you a price.
Can I just overclad it?
Overcladding is sometimes an option if the sheets are sound, but it leaves the asbestos in place for someone else to deal with later. We'll talk you through both options.
