Key facts
- Price depends on size, access, condition, waste and the type of building.
- Always ask for a written quote that lists each part of the job.
- A very low price often means something is missing, usually the waste disposal.
What decides the price
- Size of the job. A single garage roof costs far less than a factory roof. Roofs are usually priced by area.
- Access. Scaffold, a mobile platform or edge protection adds cost, especially on high or awkward buildings.
- Condition of the material. Brittle, weathered or broken sheets take more care and time.
- Type of material. Cement sheets, Artex, floor tiles and pipe lagging are all handled differently.
- Waste. Asbestos is hazardous waste. It must be wrapped, labelled, carried by a registered carrier and tipped at a permitted site, and that has a cost.
- Extras. A new roof, extra surveys, working out of hours or around a school or business add to the total.
What a good written quote includes
- The exact work, with the area or number of rooms.
- Access equipment and any edge protection.
- Waste carrying and disposal, shown clearly.
- Any testing or survey cost, if needed.
- Whether a replacement roof or making good is included.
- How long the job should take and when it can start.
Warning signs of a bad quote
- A price far below every other quote, with no detail.
- No mention of waste disposal or paperwork.
- Cash only, or pressure to decide on the spot.
- No answer when you ask how the waste will be carried away.
Questions to ask before you agree
- Is waste disposal included in this price?
- Will I receive the waste paperwork afterwards?
- Is the carrier registered to carry hazardous waste?
- What happens if the job turns out bigger than expected?
Not sure what you have? Read our guide on how to tell if you have asbestos.