- Price per m²
- £81–£143
- Typical life
- 30–60 years
- Manufacturer guarantees
- 15-year material, up to 25-year system guarantees
- 30 m² roof
- £3,300–£5,950
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 mastic asphalt roofing 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 |
|---|---|
| Mastic asphalt roof (30 m²), scaffold | £3,300–£5,950 |
| Localised patch repair | £140–£480 |
| 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 shops with flat-roofed rear stores below flats, newer estates where the first extension roofs are now being replaced and bungalows with flat-roofed side extensions and dormers. 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.
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.
How long does mastic asphalt last, and what guarantees are available?
Mastic asphalt is one of the longest-lasting flat roof systems, typically giving 30 to 60 years with good specification and maintenance. Many older asphalt roofs are still watertight decades after they were laid.
Age does show eventually. Common signs include crazing and cracking from sun exposure, blisters where moisture has been trapped beneath, splits at skirtings where the building has moved, and ponding where the deck has settled. Regular maintenance, such as renewing solar reflective paint, keeping outlets clear and repairing cracks early, makes a real difference to life.
Material and system guarantees are available on some specified asphalt systems, and we register them for you where the system allows. Every re-roof carries our written workmanship guarantee, with the length set out in the quote, and insurance-backed options can be discussed. Our lifespan guide compares asphalt with the other systems.
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
Mastic asphalt 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 mastic asphalt roofing cost in Greater Manchester?
£3,300–£5,950 for a 30 m² mastic asphalt roof including scaffold, 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.
Why are mastic asphalt roofs painted silver or white?
The reflective coating keeps the asphalt cooler in sun, reducing softening and slowing the surface ageing that leads to crazing. It usually needs renewing every few years as part of maintenance.
Why is my asphalt roof cracking?
Asphalt typically cracks as it ages and becomes brittle from sun exposure, or where the building moves at skirtings and junctions. A solar reflective paint and early repairs help slow it down.
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.
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