Exeter at a glance
- Postcode districts
- EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4
- Population
- about 130,709 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Exeter City Council
- Building approval
- Exeter City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Guide price region
- South West (+3% on West Midlands rates)
When does a garage roof in Exeter need replacing?
A garage in Exeter that is becoming a workshop, gym or home office is a good reason to replace its roof. That is the moment to think about insulation and a warm-roof build-up, so the roof does not have to be stripped again when the space is heated.
Exeter's flat roofs are mostly on low-rise post-war blocks of flats, with plenty on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers too. The South West averages roughly 1,260 mm of rain a year and many roofs face wind off the Atlantic, so we specify fixings and edge details for wind uplift as well as drainage.
How much does a new garage roof cost in Exeter?
At South West guide rates, a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM comes to £1,650–£2,900 including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,650–£2,900 |
| Single garage (18 m²), torch-on felt | £1,550–£2,700 |
| Single garage (18 m²), GRP fibreglass | £1,850–£3,350 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £3,100–£5,550 |
Do I need planning permission or building regulations for a garage roof?
Usually not for planning, and often not for building regulations either, if the garage is detached and unheated. Re-covering a roof without materially changing its appearance does not normally need a planning application.
An unheated detached garage is not normally a thermal element, so the insulation rules for renovated roofs do not usually apply. That changes if the garage is attached and heated, used as a room, or being converted. A new roof covering that adds 15% or more to the existing weight, or any structural change, still needs building control approval in England. Wales has its own threshold for re-roofing, Scotland works through building standards and NI through district council building control.
Listed buildings and conservation areas can bring extra controls. We confirm what applies at survey and handle approvals where they are needed; our building regulations page covers the detail.
What's included?
- Strip-out of old felt, chippings and waste
- Gutter or outlet renewed where the old one has failed
- Free survey of the deck, fall and gutter line
- Written workmanship guarantee, with material guarantees registered where available
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a flat roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so the roof is insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's technically and economically feasible, and the work is notified to building control: the council or a registered building control approver, unless a registered competent person self-certifies it. A roof on a new extension is built to 0.15 W/m²K. Patch repairs, and most unheated detached garages, don't trigger the upgrade. Structural changes, or a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight, also need approval. More on the rules.
Which nearby areas do we also cover?
Garage roofs in Exeter: questions
Do you cover Exeter?
Yes. Exeter is part of our Devon coverage, including postcode districts EX1, EX2, EX3, EX4. Surveys and roofs are carried out by vetted roofing teams working under S&K Property Investments and Improvement Ltd.
Who checks building regulations for a flat roof in Exeter?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Exeter City Council building control, or a registered building control approver. We tell you at the survey whether your job needs it and deal with the paperwork as part of the quote.
How much does a new garage roof cost in Exeter?
£1,650–£2,900 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM, at South West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Is it worth repairing a garage roof instead?
If the roof is generally sound and dry with one isolated defect, a repair is usually sensible. Widespread cracking, a soft deck or repeat leaks point to replacement.
How long does a garage roof last?
It depends on the system. As indicative figures, EPDM lasts 25–50 years, GRP 20–40 and modern torch-on felt 15–25, with good specification and maintenance.