Washington at a glance
- Postcode districts
- NE37, NE38
- Population
- about 67,085 (GeoNames)
- Council area
- Sunderland City Council
- Building approval
- Sunderland City Council building control, or a registered building control approver
- Nearest main town
- Sunderland, about 5 miles
- Guide price region
- North East (−7% on West Midlands rates)
When does a garage roof in Washington need replacing?
Many garages in Washington still carry their original mineral felt, which may have been patched several times. Once the chippings have washed off and the laps have split, water gets under the felt and into the deck, and patches stop holding. At that stage a full replacement is the practical fix.
In and around Washington, flat roofs are typically found on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, and on terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms. England averages roughly 870 mm of rain a year; the North East is drier than the west but cold and windy near the coast, so wind uplift and freeze-thaw are in the specification.
How much does a new garage roof cost in Washington?
For Washington we use North East rates: £1,500–£2,600 is the guide for a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM, VAT included. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,500–£2,600 |
| Single garage (18 m²), torch-on felt | £1,400–£2,450 |
| Single garage (18 m²), GRP fibreglass | £1,650–£3,000 |
| Extension (20 m²), GRP, new deck + insulation | £2,800–£5,000 |
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
- Replacement of soft or swollen deck boards
- New membrane dressed into fresh edge and drip trims
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?
- Chester-le-Street · 4 mi
- Felling · 4 mi
- Houghton-Le-Spring · 5 mi
- Sunderland · 5 mi
- Jarrow · 6 mi
- Wallsend · 6 mi
Garage roofs in Washington: questions
Do you cover Washington?
Yes. Washington is part of our Tyne and Wear coverage, including postcode districts NE37, NE38. 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 Washington?
Where the work needs approval it goes to Sunderland 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 Washington?
£1,500–£2,600 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in EPDM, at North East guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Should I insulate my garage roof?
Only if the garage is heated or you plan to use it as a room. Insulating a cold, unheated garage roof can cause condensation unless it is designed carefully, so we advise case by case.
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.