The short answer
Removing a concrete sectional (prefab) garage in the UK typically costs around £600 to £1,500, with most single-bay sectional garages between £700 and £1,200. These garages are built from bolted precast concrete panels on a slab, so they are usually dismantled rather than demolished, which is quicker, produces more manageable waste and keeps the price down compared with a brick garage. The cost covers labour to unbolt and break down the panels, loading and removal of the concrete, and disposal. The two factors that raise the figure most are removing the concrete slab underneath, which is often a separate cost, and the presence of asbestos in the roof sheets, common in older sectional garages, which must be handled and disposed of separately. Figures are indicative ranges only.
Sectional concrete garages are one of the more affordable structures to remove because they come apart in panels. The sections below explain the typical cost, why dismantling is preferred, and the role asbestos plays.
Typical UK ranges
- Single sectional garage~£700–£1,200
- Larger/double sectional~£1,000–£1,800
- Slab removal (extra)~£300–£800
- Asbestos roof handlingExtra, priced separately
- MethodUsually dismantled, not smashed
Why sectional garages are cheaper to remove
A concrete sectional garage is assembled from precast panels bolted to a frame and sitting on a concrete base. Because it was put together in pieces, it can usually be taken apart in pieces. Contractors unbolt the roof and wall panels, lower them down, and break or load them for disposal, rather than smashing the whole thing with a machine. This dismantling approach is faster, safer in tight gardens, and produces waste that is easier to handle, all of which keeps the cost below that of a brick or block garage of the same size.
The main work is labour and waste removal. Precast concrete is heavy, so even though the panels come apart cleanly, the disposal is charged by weight and forms a meaningful part of the total. A larger or double-width sectional garage has more panels and more waste, which is why it sits higher in the range.
| Element | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dismantle single garage | £700–£1,200 | Unbolt and remove panels |
| Dismantle larger/double | £1,000–£1,800 | More panels, more waste |
| Remove concrete slab | £300–£800 | Often quoted separately |
| Asbestos roof sheets | Priced separately | Removed under controls |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sources: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote garage cost guides.
The asbestos question with sectional garages
Many prefabricated sectional garages built between the 1950s and the 1980s used asbestos cement for the roof sheets, and sometimes the wall panels. This is important because asbestos cement cannot simply be broken up and skipped with the rest of the concrete. Under UK health and safety guidance, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) distinguishes between licensed and lower-risk non-licensed asbestos work, and asbestos cement is generally lower-risk non-licensed work, but it still must be removed carefully, kept intact where possible, double-wrapped, and taken to a site licensed to accept asbestos waste.
This is general information, not legal or professional advice. If you are unsure whether your garage contains asbestos, a sample can be tested, or a contractor experienced in this work can advise. Where asbestos is present, expect it to be priced as a distinct line item and to add both cost and time to the job.
The slab and the all-in cost
The concrete base under a sectional garage is the other variable. If you intend to lay a patio, build something new, or want a clear plot, you will usually pay extra to break out and remove the slab, because it adds machine time and heavy disposal. If you are keeping the base for a replacement garage or a parking area, leaving it in place saves money. Many homeowners take the structure down and decide on the slab separately.
To budget accurately, ask a contractor to price the dismantling, the slab and any asbestos as clearly separated items, and to confirm that disposal and any necessary asbestos consignment are included. Because access, panel condition and the presence of asbestos differ from garage to garage, a site assessment gives a far more reliable figure than a national average.
Frequently asked questions
Can a concrete sectional garage be dismantled rather than demolished?
Usually yes. Because it is built from bolted precast panels, contractors normally unbolt and remove the sections rather than smashing the structure. This is quicker, easier in tight spaces and produces more manageable waste.
Do older sectional garages contain asbestos?
Many built from the 1950s to the 1980s used asbestos cement roof sheets and sometimes wall panels. If unsure, the material can be tested. Asbestos cement must be removed and disposed of separately under the correct controls, which adds cost.
Is removing the slab included in the price?
Often not. The concrete base is commonly priced separately because breaking it out adds machine time and heavy disposal. If you plan to reuse the base, leaving it in place keeps the cost lower.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific building. They are guidance, not a quotation.