- Price per m²
- £86–£133
- Typical life
- 10–25+ years by product
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 10, 15 or 20-year guarantees by named system
- Typical garage roof
- £1,950–£3,100
Greater Manchester at a glance
- Largest towns
- Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton
- Postcode areas
- BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN
- Building control
- Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils
- Neighbouring areas
- Cheshire · Lancashire · Merseyside · West Yorkshire
- Guide price region
- North West (−5% on West Midlands rates)
How much does a liquid-applied roof cost in Greater Manchester?
Guide prices including VAT at North West rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Single garage (18 m²), liquid-applied | £1,950–£3,100 |
| Balcony (12 m²), liquid-applied, scaffold | £1,800–£3,100 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,500–£2,650 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,650–£4,650 |
Which flat roofs are common in Greater Manchester?
Flat roofs in Greater Manchester sit on lock-up garage blocks on estates, terraced streets with flat-roofed rear kitchens and bathrooms and 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions. The North West is one of England's wetter regions, averaging roughly 1,290 mm of rain a year, so falls, outlets and well-detailed upstands matter more than the membrane colour. Approximate 1991–2020 regional averages based on Met Office data.
Building regulations in England
Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. Renovated roofs over heated rooms are insulated to around 0.16 W/m²K where that's feasible, and new extension roofs are built to 0.15 W/m²K. In Greater Manchester the application goes to Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils. More on the rules.
Can a liquid roof go over my existing roof, and what preparation is needed?
Yes, if the existing roof is dry, firmly bonded and sitting on a sound deck. A liquid membrane is only as good as what lies beneath it, so we test the old roof before agreeing to overlay it.
At survey we check for:
- Trapped moisture: soft spots, blisters or wet insulation mean the roof should be stripped, because water sealed in will cause new blisters and decay.
- Deck condition: any sponginess or deflection needs repair first.
- Adhesion: on felt and asphalt, loose areas are cut out and patched, and the existing surface must take the primer properly.
- Falls and ponding: a coating follows the roof as it is. If water ponds now, it will pond on the new surface too unless the falls are corrected.
Preparation then follows: loose chippings removed, the surface cleaned and left to dry, blisters cut back and repaired, cracks filled, and the right primer applied. On older felt, mineral surfaces may need extra cleaning to give a good bond. Where the tests fail, we say so plainly and quote for a strip and re-roof. Read more on ponding water.
When is a liquid roof the best option, and when is it not?
A liquid roof is often the best option for roofs crowded with pipes, vents and upstands, for balconies and walkways, and for overlaying a structurally sound roof that is starting to fail. It is the wrong choice when the deck is rotten, the insulation is wet or the falls are badly wrong.
Advantages: continuous finish with no laps; forms details around pipes and odd shapes easily; cold-applied with no flame; can often go over felt, asphalt or concrete; some systems take foot traffic.
Disadvantages: higher cost per square metre than felt or EPDM; needs dry weather and careful thickness control; only as good as the surface it is bonded to; product quality varies widely across the market.
For a straightforward re-roof on a fresh deck, EPDM or GRP may offer better value. Larger flat areas suit torch-on felt or single-ply. On a sound mastic asphalt roof, a compatible liquid system can sometimes be applied over it. See also our guide to overlay or strip.
Which towns in Greater Manchester do we cover?
- Manchester
- Oldham
- Wigan
- Bolton
- Stockport
- Salford
- Rochdale
- Sale
- Bury
- Altrincham
- Middleton
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Leigh
- Stretford
- Urmston
- Eccles
- Tyldesley
- Hyde
- Walkden
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Cheadle Hulme
- Heywood
- Denton
- Stalybridge
- Ashton in Makerfield
- Westhoughton
- Farnworth
- Saddleworth
- Hindley
- Golborne
- Droylsden
- Royton
- Failsworth
- Hazel Grove
- Irlam
- Horwich
- Bramhall
- Ramsbottom
- Bredbury
- Longsight
Liquid-applied roofing in Greater Manchester: questions
Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?
All of Greater Manchester. The main towns have their own pages below, and if yours isn't listed we still cover it: send your postcode and we'll confirm.
How much does a liquid-applied roof cost in Greater Manchester?
£1,950–£3,100 for a typical 18 m² garage roof in a liquid-applied system, at North West guide rates including VAT. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
Which council handles building control for a flat roof in Greater Manchester?
It depends on where the roof is: in Greater Manchester that's Manchester City Council, Oldham Council, Wigan Council and 7 other councils. Replacing more than half of a roof over a heated room usually counts as renovating a thermal element, so it is insulated to current standards and notified to building control. We confirm which applies at the survey.
Can liquid roofing stop a leak on a flat roof?
It can, if the leak is at a detail or the membrane is worn but the roof beneath is sound. If water has soaked the insulation or deck, coating over it will not cure the problem.
How long does a liquid roof take to cure?
That depends on the product and the weather. Some systems are rain-resistant within an hour or so, others take longer, and full cure can take a day or more in cool weather.
Can liquid roofing be applied in the rain?
No. The surface must be dry, and most systems need a dry window while they cure. Some fast-curing products shorten that window, but the team will not apply onto a damp roof.
Everything about liquid-applied roofing → · All flat roofing in Greater Manchester →