Asbestos cement roofing was standard on UK garages, sheds and outbuildings for decades, and a huge number of older properties still have it. Here’s what actually matters if you think yours might.
How to tell if a roof contains asbestos
The classic giveaway is corrugated grey cement sheeting, sometimes called “asbestos cement” or by trade names like Big Six, on garages, sheds, workshops and some commercial outbuildings built roughly before the early 1990s, when asbestos cement roofing was phased out. Visually it looks like a dense, slightly fibrous grey corrugated sheet, often with a chalky, weathered surface on older examples. You genuinely cannot confirm asbestos content by eye alone. A sample test by a qualified surveyor or licensed contractor is the only way to know for certain.
Is it dangerous / do you have to remove it
This surprises a lot of people: an intact, undisturbed asbestos cement roof is generally low risk. The danger is in disturbing it. Drilling, cutting, breaking sheets, or aggressive pressure-washing releases asbestos fibres into the air, which is the actual health hazard. A sound roof, left alone and checked periodically for damage or deterioration, doesn’t need removing just because it exists. Removal becomes the sensible option when the roof is damaged, deteriorating, needs replacing anyway, or you’re planning building work that would disturb it.
The safe/legal removal process
UK asbestos regulations classify most asbestos cement roofing as lower-risk “non-licensed work,” meaning it doesn’t legally require a specialist asbestos removal licence in most residential cases. It still requires following HSE guidance, though: wetting the material to suppress dust, careful manual removal without breaking sheets, proper protective equipment, and correct disposal at a licensed waste facility. Given the disposal logistics and liability involved, most homeowners use a specialist removal contractor rather than attempting it themselves, even where DIY removal is technically permitted.
What removal & disposal costs
Costs vary with roof size and access, but licensed disposal is often the largest single cost component, not the physical labour of taking the sheets down. For a typical single garage roof, budget from a few hundred pounds up toward £1,000+ depending on size, access and local disposal fees. See our roofing costs guide for wider UK price context on related roofing work.
Replacing an asbestos garage roof
Removal is usually paired with replacement, most commonly with modern metal roofing sheets or a felt or EPDM flat roof covering, depending on the garage’s structure and pitch. See our flat roof materials guide if you’re replacing a flat-roofed garage, or our roof types guide for pitched alternatives.
Find Trusted Roofers connects UK homeowners with local roofers who handle asbestos garage and outbuilding roof removal and replacement properly, with correct licensed disposal. Tell us about the job and we’ll 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 sheet roofing on garages, sheds and outbuildings built before the early 1990s is the most common suspect. Visually it's grey and slightly fibrous-looking, but you can't be certain from looks alone. A licensed surveyor or asbestos removal contractor can test a sample to confirm.
Is it dangerous to have an asbestos roof?
Intact, undisturbed asbestos cement roofing poses low risk. The danger comes from disturbing it, since drilling, cutting, breaking or pressure-washing releases fibres into the air. A sound asbestos roof left alone and monitored is generally lower risk than a poorly managed removal.
Can I remove an asbestos roof myself?
For most asbestos cement roofing, a lower-risk 'non-licensed' material under UK regulations, competent DIY removal following HSE guidance is technically permitted. Professional removal is still strongly recommended, given the disposal rules, safety equipment needed, and liability if something goes wrong.
How much does asbestos roof removal cost?
A typical garage-sized asbestos roof removal, including safe disposal, often runs from a few hundred pounds up to over a thousand depending on size and access. Licensed disposal at a registered waste site is usually the largest single cost, not the physical removal itself.
What do I do with asbestos sheets after removal?
Asbestos waste must go to a licensed disposal site, since it cannot go in ordinary household or builder's waste. A reputable removal contractor will handle transport and disposal as part of the job and can provide a waste transfer note as proof of correct disposal.
