How Much Does a New Garage Roof Really Cost in Brighton?

It’s one of the most common questions I get asked around Worthing and Hove: “Jan, what’s a rough price to replace my garage roof?” It’s a fair question. You’ve got a leaking felt roof that’s seen better days, and you need to know if you’re looking at a few hundred quid or a few thousand. I’ll get straight to it: the answer is, it depends. But I’m not going to leave you hanging. I’ll break down the real costs you can expect, with no fluff.

So, What’s the Ballpark Cost for a Garage Roof Replacement?

Let’s talk numbers. For a standard garage in the Sussex area, here’s a rough guide based on the material. Keep in mind these are estimates – the real price depends on factors I’ll cover next.

  • Single Garage (approx. 3m x 6m):
    • Torch-on Felt: Typically £1,200 – £1,800. A solid, traditional option.
    • EPDM Rubber: Usually £1,600 – £2,500. A modern, durable single-sheet system.
    • GRP Fibreglass: Often £2,000 – £3,000. The most robust, seamless, and long-lasting option.
  • Double Garage (approx. 6m x 6m):
    • Torch-on Felt: Typically £2,200 – £3,200.
    • EPDM Rubber: Usually £3,000 – £4,500.
    • GRP Fibreglass: Often £3,800 – £5,500.

    What Factors Actually Change That Price?

    Those ballpark figures are a starting point. The final, fixed-price quote I give you will depend on the specifics of your roof. Here’s what I look for:

    1. The State of Your Roof Deck

    This is the big one. The timber boards (usually OSB or plywood) underneath the felt are the foundation. If water has been getting through for a while, there’s a good chance some of that timber is rotten, soft, and needs replacing. You can’t put a new waterproof layer on a soggy, weak base. I won’t know the full extent until I strip the old roof off, which is why a thorough inspection is crucial. If you suspect problems, you should book a free roof inspection so I can take a proper look.

    2. Your Choice of Material

    As you saw from the price list, the material is a major factor. Torch-on felt is the most budget-friendly, while GRP is a premium product with a longer lifespan. I’m happy to talk you through the pros and cons of each for your specific situation. There’s a lot of overlap with other flat roof systems I install, and the principles are the same.

    3. Insulation Requirements

    Is your garage attached to your house? Do you use it as a workshop or office? If so, you might want or need to add insulation boards to bring it up to modern standards. This adds material and labour costs but can make the space much more usable.

    4. The Extras: Fascias, Guttering, and Leadwork

    While I’m up there, it’s the perfect time to address any other issues. Are your timber fascias rotting? Is the guttering cracked and failing? Replacing these at the same time is far more cost-effective than calling me back in a year. I can provide a separate quote for things like uPVC fascia board replacement to sort everything in one go.

    “Can I Just Paint Over the Old Felt to Save Money?”

    I get it. You see a tin of ‘miracle roof sealant’ at the DIY shop and think it’s a cheap fix. My honest, professional advice? Don’t do it.

    Yes, you can slather on a coat of Acropol or a similar bitumen paint. It might even stop the drip for a few months over summer. But here’s the hard truth: you’re just trapping moisture underneath. The underlying felt is still failing, and the timber deck underneath might be slowly turning to mush. It’s like putting a plaster on a broken leg.

    When you eventually call a professional like me, the job becomes messier and more labour-intensive because I have to strip off your sticky DIY patch as well as the original failed roof. If you have an active leak that’s causing damage right now, your best bet is to get it looked at properly. My urgent leak repair service is designed for exactly that.

    My Advice for a Long-Lasting Garage Roof

    Do it once, do it right. My process is to strip everything back to the timber joists. I’ll inspect and replace any rotten deck boards, then install a complete, new, fully bonded system – whether it’s high-performance felt, EPDM, or GRP. This gives you a guarantee and peace of mind for decades, not just a few months.

    The price I quote is always a fixed price. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying before I start, and you can even follow the progress with daily photo logs in my client portal. If you’re in Brighton, Worthing, or anywhere in Sussex and want a straightforward, honest quote for your garage, get in touch. You can get a clear, detailed estimate by visiting my garage flat roof replacement page.