A garage is a great addition to any home, adding much-needed extra space for a car or to store away those bits and pieces you don’t want to keep inside the house, but might come in handy again one day.
For those without vehicles or the need for a place to stow your car away at night, garages can present an exciting renovation opportunity. Flexible enough to turn into an at-home gym, workshop, or even into extra living space; the opportunities are practically endless.
In this article, we’ll be covering how much garages cost, what affects the cost of a garage, how to save money on a new garage, how to know if a garage is the right choice for your home and how to find and hire someone to build a garage.
To find out just how much a garage will cost you to build, keep reading – we’ll even share the best ways to keep the costs down while you’re at it.
How Much Does a Garage Cost?
First and foremost – let’s get into the cost of garages. For these prices, we are basing the cost of a single garage on an 18 square metre size, and the double 36 square metres.
| GARAGE TYPE AND SIZE | ESTIMATED COST OF AN ATTACHED GARAGE | ESTIMATED COST OF A DETACHED GARAGE | TIME REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timber frame (single) | £3,000 to £5,000 | £3,300 to £5,500 | 7 to 10 days |
| Timber frame (double) | £6,000 to £9,000 | £6,600 to £10,000 | 7 to 10 days |
| Brick (single) | £4,500 to £5,500 | £5,500 to £7,500 | 7 to 14 days |
| Brick (double) | £8,000 to £12,000 | £9,000 to £15,000 | 7 to 14 days |
| Concrete block (single) | £4,000 to £6,500 | £4,800 to £7,000 | 7 days |
| Concrete block (double) | £8,000 to £12,100 | £9,000 to £13,500 | 7 days |
| Prefab concrete (single) | £2,500 to £3,000 | £5,000 to £6,500 | 7 days |
| Prefab concrete (double) | £7,000 to £9,000 | £9,300 to £11,500 | 7 days |
| Metal (single) | £1,750 to £2,000 | £3,000 to £4,400 | 7 days |
| Metal (double) | £3,000 to £4,000 | £4,000 to £7,100 | 7 days |
Attached Garages
A single timber-framed attached garage costs between £3,000 to £5,000, while a double timber-framed garage comes in at £6,000 to £9,000.
For a brick structure, a single attached garage costs between £4,500 to £5,500. The double garage version of this material comes in between £8,000 to £12,000.
Concrete single attached garages are between £4,000 to £6,500, while the double variant comes in at £8,000 to £12,100.
A prefab single attached garage costs £2,500 to £3,000, and a double prefab garage costs £7,000 to £9,000.
Last in the single and attached category is the metal garage, which comes in between £1,750 and £2,000. The double version of this attached garage is between £3,000 to £4,000.
Detached Garages
Single timber-framed detached garages cost between £3,300 to £5,500, and a double timber-framed detached garage comes in between £6,600 to £10,000.
A single brick counterpart costs £5,500 to £7,500, and a double of the same material is between £9,000 to £15,000.
Moving onto concrete, the price for a detached single garage comes in between £4,800 to £7,000, while the double of that material is between £9,000 to £13,500.
A prefab single detached garage costs between £5,000 to £6,500, and a double is £9,300 to £11,500.
Finally, the cost of a single metal detached garage is between £3,000 to £4,400, and a double metal detached garage between £4,000 to £7,100.
For timber and brick garages, the labour time needed is between seven to 10 days, while concrete, prefab and metal will need just seven days for assembly.
Other Considerations
When you’re working out the cost of a garage, it’s important to remember there are other expenses involved in addition to materials and building costs. For example, the average prices already mentioned don’t include the cost of a project foreman.
If you’ve got no intention of managing the build yourself, you’ll have to pay someone to do it. You may also need to gain planning permission for the project, and this could come hand in hand with its own costs, particularly if approval isn’t given straight away.
In addition, if you’re adding a garage to a property that’s already in place, you won’t qualify for a zero VAT rated status. As a result, you’ll need to add VAT on top of your project.
What Affects the Cost of Building a Garage?
Let’s get into the factors that affect the cost of building a garage.
The Size of Your Garage
The bigger your garage, the bigger the price. If you’re wanting a double garage in favour of more space, expect to pay more than the same material’s single counterpart.
On average, a single garage measures 18 square metres, and a double measures 36 square metres.
Your Choice of Materials
You can see from our comparison table above how the choice of garage material impacts the price you pay.
Metal is the cheapest, between £1,750 to £4,000; while concrete comes in at the most expensive, costing between £4,000 to £12,100.
Timber
Timber garages are good natural insulators, unlike some other materials. They have a lifespan of around 20 to 25 years if well-maintained over the years, and can come in a variety of shapes and styles to suit your individual wants.
Brick
Brick garages blend well into the landscape of your home (if your home is built of brick, that is!), making the addition look seamless and as if it’s always been there. They’re incredibly secure and a popular choice amongst homeowners.
Concrete
Possibly one of the most durable, weather-resistant styles of garage out there, concrete materials offers a wealth of positives to homeowners. Being flexible in design while being energy-saving, concrete can be a good choice for those wanting a durable spot to stow their vehicles or other household items.
Metal
Metal garages are by far the cheapest option out there, being easy to assemble and vitally not needing a foundation to be stood upon, saving you further money on other construction work that you’d need with other garage materials.
Prefab
You can of course choose to forgo construction on-site and have a prefab garage placed on your property, offering a level of convenience that’s unmatched with other garage materials.
Whether You Need Concrete Footings and Foundations
With most garage materials you’ll need footings and foundations to make the structure stable. For some structures, like metal garages, you won’t need this step, which can bring overall project fees down as you’re side-stepping a stage of construction and extra labour fees.
Roof Pitch
You can opt for a pitched roof for your garage which will aid rainwater flowing away – a problem with flat roofs can be that if they don’t have adequate drainage, they may become waterlogged over time.
Having a pitched roof also increases the size of your garage in terms of its height, giving you more space for your money, and vital places to tuck bits and bobs away into.
Finishes
Your garage doesn’t stop at the structure – there are several finishes to consider, too.
Garage Doors
There are lots of garage door types to choose from, from automatic to manual, sectional to roller. To find out what is right for you, take a look at our page on garage door costs.
Electrics
You may want a light or two in your garage, or some plug sockets so you can get some DIY done in the space without disturbing the rest of your house too much. This electricity can also then power garage doors if automatic, as well as outdoor lighting and security systems.
Electricians typically charge £30 to £55 per hour or £240 to £440 per day.
Plumbing
If you’re wanting to add in some plumbing to your garage to wash your hands there and save you from coming in and out of the house while getting some work done, then you might want to enlist the help of a plumber.
Plumbers typically charge £40 to £80 per hour or £320 to £680 per day.
Your Location
It’s sad, but it’s true: where you are based geographically does have an impact on the price you pay for your labour. In capitals, like London, the price will be higher than that of more remote places.
You will also need to consider the cost of any parking permits or skip hire permits if you’re on a road without parking.
How Can I Save Money on a New Garage?
Now that we’ve gone over the factors that can end up costing you more while you’re building your garage, let’s take you through the areas where you can save money.
Only Choose the Size You Need
It sounds simple, but only choosing the size you need – be that for household storage or vehicle storage – helps to keep your costs in check.
There’s no use in getting a double garage with a high pitched roof if all you need is a single garage to keep a few bits and bobs tucked away in, so don’t overshoot your wishlist – bigger isn’t always better in this case.
Choose Attached Over Detached
For brick or concrete block garages, opting for an attached style rather than detached can help to keep your build cost-effective.
Having an attached structure helps to make the garage look like it has always been part of your property, ensuring it doesn’t stand out in a bad way on your plot. This links back to our last point – if you’re thinking about a detached garage just because they look a little bit grander, but you don’t need a detached structure with the material you’ve chosen, you’ll usually be better off going for the attached option.
Consider a Carport
Do you need an entire garage, or can you make do with a carport if you just want a bit of cover and shelter for one or two vehicles?
If so, then considering a carport can considerably drop your project costs, and save you from getting something you don’t necessarily need.
Research Garage Kits
Garage kits are easy-to-assemble kits that take the hassle out of having an entire structure created for you. By seeing if they might work for the space you have at home, you can potentially save money on your garage project.
Is a Garage the Right Choice for My Home?
Let’s take a moment to discuss whether a garage is the right choice for your home.
Advantages of a Garage
Vehicle Storage
If you have a particularly expensive vehicle and don’t like the thought of leaving it on the roadside or your driveway overnight, or while you’re away from home, then tucking it into a secure garage is a great way to shield it from the view of people with ulterior motives.
It can also help to ensure the longevity of your vehicle, not exposing it to the elements while you’re not driving it – and it helps to keep it cleaner for longer, too!
Additional Storage
If you don’t have a vehicle, then a garage can be a valued extra space to store some lesser-used items to save them from bulking up cupboards inside your home.
For seasonal items like Christmas decorations and trees, or miscellaneous items of furniture you’re keeping hold of in case they come into use again; having a garage can help to create a bit of distance between clutter and your home, making your living space that bit more breathable.
Value-adding
Adding a garage to your property increases the value of your property, so it’s a great investment for your money. It’ll also add curb appeal, which again will help to entice homebuyers to view your property when you come to sell.
Disadvantages of a Garage
Upkeep and Maintenance
Depending on the material you choose, there might be a level of upkeep in maintaining the garage. For timber materials, this is particularly true, as you’ll need to make sure the wood is well looked after to avoid warping, cracking and splinters.
Might Compromise Visual Appearance
If you don’t consider the overall aesthetic of your property while you’re choosing your garage, you may end up adding on something that ends up a bit of an eyesore, and not in keeping with the rest of your home.
It’s essential to shop around for different designs before it gets to this stage to ensure you aren’t tacking on something that you’ll come to regret in a few months, as that will be money down the drain.
Possible Security Risk
Although putting your vehicle into a garage at night might deter some, if you have a badly-designed or weak door then the barriers to entry are set quite low and can pose a security risk.
Again, do your homework first and properly assess the type of garage door you want on your structure, given the contents you wish to keep in it.
How Do I Find and Hire Someone to Build a Garage?
Have you seen someone on your street have a garage built recently and like the look of it? Or have you got a friend or family member who has had something similar done to their home?
If so, asking them for trader recommendations is a great way to go, and can save you from hours of searching for traders who may end up being no good.
But, if you don’t see anything around you that you like the look of, you can use HouseholdQuotes to simplify the search and keep it all on one website where you can compare offers from multiple traders. What’s more, it can also help to save you up to 40% off your project’s fee!
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
First and foremost, you must agree on a written quotation, with an itemised list of aspects of the build and their associated prices. This helps to iron out any confusion and reduces the chance of ‘extra’ fees popping up while the project is underway.
Like a job interview, you’ll want to see the trader’s experience and get a look at their references from past customers, as well as any photos or videos of their old work to make sure their standard is a good fit for you.
Finally, make sure your trader has insurance to keep themselves and you covered in the event of any accidents on site.
Final Checklist and Conclusion
If you want to add a garage to your home and want to get started now, take a look at our final checklist to make sure you’ve got everything under control.
- Do you need a garage, or can you make use of a carport?
- Choose your material, keeping in mind the look and feel of your property
- Decide what structure is best for you, based on your material choice – attached or detached?
- Single or double?
- Find a trader using HouseholdQuotes to help save you up to 40% on your project fee
- Make sure you get a written quotation
- Double-check references and photos, and check they have insurance
- Get ready to enjoy the newfound space in your property!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage?
Garages fall under the ‘outbuildings’ category on the planning portal, therefore any structure must adhere to the following guidelines, taken from the planning portal website:
- No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.
- Outbuildings and garages to be single-storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
- Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.
- No verandas, balconies or raised platforms (a platform must not exceed 0.3 metres in height)
- No more than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings.
- In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered by buildings, enclosures, containers and pools more than 20 metres from the house to be limited to 10 square metres.
- On designated land buildings, enclosures, containers and pools at the side of properties will require planning permission.
- Within the curtilage of listed buildings, any outbuilding will require planning permission.
Does a Garage Add Value to My Home?
Garages do add value to your home, as long as they’re well-maintained over the years.
Can You Build a Garage on a Slab?
According to Home Inspection Insider, you can build a simple garage on top of a four inch poured concrete slab-on-grade. For more complex buildings, you’ll need perimeter footings.
Are Prefab Garages Cheaper?
Prefab garages are already built structures, so there is less labour involved in getting them up at your property. As a result, they are generally cheaper, depending on the size and scope of the design.
For more information on prefab garages, read our guide here.
How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost?
To get the full picture on garage conversions, see our guide here, which takes you through all the steps necessary to convert the garage into a living space.
What’s the Cost of Replacing or Repairing a Garage Door?
If you have damaged your garage door and it needs repairing, depending on the level of damage your cost will range between £35 for garage door rollers, and into the hundreds for other aspects like an operator motor.
For full information on garage door repair costs, see our guide here.
If you need to replace your garage door, again, depending on the style you have, different costs will be incurred.
For full information on garage door replacement costs, see our guide here.
