- Price per m²
- £89–£158
- Typical life
- 30–60 years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 15-year material, up to 25-year system guarantees
- 30 m² roof
- £3,650–£6,550
Bedfordshire at a glance
- Largest towns
- Luton, Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard
- Postcode areas
- LU, MK, SG
- Building control
- Luton Borough Council, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council
- Neighbouring areas
- Hertfordshire · Buckinghamshire · Northamptonshire · Cambridgeshire
- Guide price region
- East of England (+5% on West Midlands rates)
How much does mastic asphalt roofing cost in Bedfordshire?
Guide prices including VAT at East of England rates. The fixed price comes after a free survey for new and replacement roofs.
| Job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Mastic asphalt roof (30 m²), scaffold | £3,650–£6,550 |
| Localised patch repair | £160–£530 |
| Single garage (18 m²), EPDM rubber | £1,700–£2,950 |
| Extension (20 m²), EPDM, new deck + insulation | £2,950–£5,150 |
Which flat roofs are common in Bedfordshire?
Flat roofs in Bedfordshire sit on bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers, 1930s semis with flat-roofed garages and kitchen extensions and newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced. The East of England is the driest part of Britain, with parts of the Anglian region around 630 mm a year, so summer heat and UV, not rainfall, do most of the ageing on a felt roof. 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 Bedfordshire the application goes to Luton Borough Council, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council. More on the rules.
What building regulations apply when an asphalt roof is replaced?
Replacing more than half of an asphalt roof over a heated space usually counts as renovating a thermal element in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, so the roof should be insulated towards the renovation standard where technically and economically feasible; Scottish owners should check with the local authority's building standards service whether the work needs a warrant.
On older buildings, adding insulation can be constrained by parapet heights, door thresholds and the character of the building, and the regulations allow for what is technically feasible. In England, a new covering that adds 15% or more to the roof's weight also needs approval, so a switch to heavier asphalt is checked against the structure. Listed buildings may need listed building consent for changes to their character. We deal with building control or building standards where needed; see the building regulations page.
Should an old asphalt roof be repaired, overlaid or replaced, especially on a heritage building?
If the asphalt is sound apart from local cracks or blisters, repair it; if it is crazed and tired but dry and well bonded, consider an overlay; if it is leaking widely, sitting on a wet or failing deck, or full of trapped moisture, replace it. A survey, sometimes with a leak trace, tells you which applies.
- Repairs: blisters are cut out, cracks opened up and fresh asphalt worked in by a specialist, so the repair fuses with the existing roof.
- Overlay: a compatible system, often a reinforced liquid membrane, is bonded over the old asphalt after cleaning and priming. This keeps the old asphalt as a solid base and avoids heavy strip-out.
- Replacement: the old asphalt is broken out and the roof rebuilt, either in new asphalt or in another system the structure can carry, with insulation where required.
On heritage and older buildings, matching the original material and detailing often matters as much as waterproofing. New asphalt skirtings and aprons can follow the existing lines, and any change of material on a listed building should be agreed with the conservation officer before work starts.
Asphalt work is a specialist trade. It needs mixers or boilers on site, trained asphalters and strict hot-works control, so we plan these jobs around access, the building's occupants and the weather.
Which towns in Bedfordshire do we cover?
Mastic asphalt roofing in Bedfordshire: questions
Which towns in Bedfordshire do you cover?
All of Bedfordshire. 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 mastic asphalt roofing cost in Bedfordshire?
£3,650–£6,550 for a 30 m² mastic asphalt roof including scaffold, at East of England 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 Bedfordshire?
It depends on where the roof is: in Bedfordshire that's Luton Borough Council, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council. 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.
Is mastic asphalt suitable for a balcony or terrace?
Yes, asphalt is traditionally used on terraces and walkways because it takes foot traffic well, often with paving on top. A new balcony or terrace generally needs planning permission, so check before converting a roof.
How heavy is a mastic asphalt roof?
Considerably heavier than felt, rubber or single-ply, which is why it is usually laid on concrete or strong timber decks. We check the structure before recommending asphalt on any roof.
Can you put felt or rubber over an asphalt roof?
Sometimes, if the asphalt is dry, well bonded and sound, using a compatible system and primer. Liquid membranes are a common choice because they bond well to cleaned asphalt.
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