A sound, untouched asbestos cement roof is usually low risk. It does not need removing just because it is there. The real danger comes from disturbing it. Here is what actually matters if you think your garage, shed or outbuilding roof might be asbestos.
How to tell if a roof contains asbestos
The classic giveaway is corrugated grey cement sheeting. It is sometimes called “asbestos cement,” or a trade name like Big Six. Look for it on garages, sheds and outbuildings built before 2000, when asbestos was banned in the UK. It looks like a dense, slightly fibrous grey corrugated sheet, often with a chalky surface on older examples.
You cannot be sure just by looking, though. A sample test by a qualified surveyor is the only sure way to know.
Is it dangerous, and do you have to remove it
This surprises a lot of people: a sound, untouched asbestos roof is usually low risk. The danger is in disturbing it. Drilling, cutting, breaking sheets or hard pressure-washing releases fibres into the air, and that is the real hazard.
A sound roof, left alone and checked now and then for damage, does not need removing just because it exists. Removal makes sense once the roof is damaged, getting worse, or due for replacement anyway. It also makes sense when planned work on the house would disturb it.
The safe, legal removal process
Under HSE guidance, most of this kind of roof counts as lower-risk work. It does not usually need a special licence for a typical garage roof. It still has to follow HSE’s own steps, though.
- wet the material first, to keep dust down
- remove sheets by hand, without breaking them
- wear the right protective gear
- take the waste to a licensed disposal site
Given the rules and the risk, most homeowners hire a specialist rather than doing it themselves. This is true even where the law allows DIY. Run our roofer vetting checks before hiring anyone for this job. It rewards a contractor who actually knows the rules.
What removal and disposal costs
Costs vary with roof size and access. Licensed disposal is often the biggest cost, not the labour of taking the sheets down. For a typical single garage roof, budget from around £400 to £1,500, depending on size, access and local disposal fees (two independent UK trade price guides give overlapping ranges in this band).
Getting a proper survey first
If you are unsure what you are dealing with, our what happens in a roof survey guide explains what a surveyor actually checks. Our how often to inspect a roof guide covers when a routine check is worth booking anyway.
Replacing an asbestos garage roof
Removal is usually paired with replacement. Most often that means modern metal sheets, or a felt or EPDM flat covering, depending on the garage’s structure and pitch. See our flat roof materials guide if you are replacing a flat-roofed garage. Our roofing felt guide covers a budget-friendly covering for a small structure. Our types of roof guide covers pitched alternatives.
If you are also weighing up flat versus pitched while you are at it, our flat roof vs pitched roof guide covers that decision directly.
Finding a contractor who knows the rules
Not every roofer does this work often, so ask directly about their experience with it, not just roofing in general. Our hiring a roofing contractor guide covers the wider questions worth asking, beyond this one topic.
Find Trusted Roofers connects UK homeowners with local roofers who handle this kind of removal properly, with correct licensed disposal. That includes roof replacement specialists in Birmingham and roofers in Coventry and Wakefield. If you’re in Cardiff, you can find a roofer covering Cardiff through the same network. See our roof replacement guide for the full service. Tell us about the job and we will match you with a roofer covering your postcode.
Asbestos Roof Removal: Cost & Safe Steps — FAQs
How do I know if my roof contains asbestos?
Corrugated cement sheeting on garages, sheds and outbuildings built before 2000 is the most common case. It looks grey and slightly fibrous, but you cannot be sure just by looking. A surveyor can test a sample to confirm it.
Is it dangerous to have an asbestos roof?
A sound, undisturbed asbestos roof carries low risk. The danger comes from disturbing it, since drilling, cutting, breaking or pressure-washing releases fibres into the air. A roof left alone and checked now and then is usually safer than a badly managed removal.
Can I remove an asbestos roof myself?
This is a lower-risk material under UK rules, so careful DIY removal, following HSE steps, is allowed by law. A professional is still a good idea, though, given the disposal rules, the safety gear needed, and the risk if something goes wrong.
How much does asbestos roof removal cost?
A typical single garage-sized job, including safe disposal, often runs from around £400 up to £1,500, depending on size and access. Licensed disposal at a registered site is usually the biggest cost, not the removal work itself.
What do I do with asbestos sheets after removal?
It must go to a licensed disposal site, since it cannot go in ordinary household or builder's waste. A good contractor will handle transport and disposal as part of the job, and can give you a note as proof.
