Building a garage: Everything you need to know
Building a garage creates valuable extra space with several uses. Whether you’re planning to build a garage to house vehicles, for additional storage, or as a functional room such as an office, workshop, or bedroom, we cover all you need to know.
We guide you through the essential steps of measuring, planning, and constructing a new garage while highlighting the planning permissions and building regulations to be aware of.
How to measure for a new garage
The first step in building a garage is knowing how much space you need. Of course, this depends on how you intend to use the space.
Decide on your needs
Vehicle storage
There is no minimum size for a garage, but there are some standard sizes that help as a guide. These measurements allow for room at one end for extra storage and sufficient space to access your car:
- The average single garage measures 3m x 6m
- The average double garage measures 6m x 6m
- The average garage height is around 2.5m
Additional space
If you’re building a garage for extra storage space, what you intend to store will impact the optimal size of your construction.
If outdoor pursuits are your thing, maybe you need to measure up for a surfboard, selection of bicycles, or camping gear.
Perhaps you’re a keen DIY enthusiast and need additional space for a workbench, tools, and equipment.
Again, taking the time to plan how you want to use the space and measuring up, will ensure the results deliver!
Futureproofing
Are you bursting at the seams at home and have a growing brood? Maybe you’re planning to build a garage to future-proof your home.
Growing teens could benefit from a hang-out space at home, or perhaps a self-contained living space once they’re ready to ‘fly the nest’.
Considering what this space needs to facilitate will help you plan and measure your new garage requirements perfectly.
Site assessment
With a good idea of how big your garage needs to be to accommodate what you want it to house, you then need to look at what’s possible.
Space availability
Where do you intend to build your garage and is there sufficient space on your property?
Access points
How do you intend to access your garage and is there a clear route from the main road or driveway?
Survey
Are you clear on where your property boundaries are in relation to where you intend to build your new garage? This is crucial as it will impact the dimensions of what you can legally build and whether planning permission is required.
Contact a chartered surveyor to assess your site and ensure your plans comply with planning rules and regulations.
Garage footings and foundations
Solid foundations are essential to ensure your new structure is stable, preventing settling and structural issues. They’ll also ensure your garage structure is robust for many years to come.
The foundations required for your garage will depend on its size, weight, and the material it’s built from.
For example, for a brick garage, it’s typical for concrete trench foundations to be prepared. However, for a concrete or timber garage, a concrete pad for the garage foundation may be sufficient.
Contact a local expert for assistance
A structural engineer will be able to advise the most suitable foundation for your garage construction and ensure compliance.
We always recommend getting at least three quotes for your project to ensure you get a fair and competitive price. You can do this quickly and easily using our request a quote form.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
How to build garage walls
Unless you have significant DIY experience, we would always recommend hiring a reputable tradesperson to build your garage.
This ensures a high-quality, weathertight, compliant construction, but also that your garage is built from materials appropriate for your needs and budget.
Garage materials
- Brick/block: One of the priciest building materials, but hardwearing and excellent at soundproofing and heat retention
- Concrete: A more affordable choice that’s easy to install, but not as aesthetically pleasing as brick
- Timber: Sturdy and stylish, but requiring more maintenance than other types of garage materials
- Prefab: Quick and easy to install, but less sturdy and resilient vs brick or concrete structures
Remember, if budget allows, you can install exterior cladding, which is becoming increasingly popular.
Single-skin or cavity wall
You will also need to decide whether you choose a single-skin wall or a cavity wall (two walls with a gap between). This decision could be led by how you wish to use your garage and your budget.
Cavity walls are ideal if you need to properly insulate your garage, but single-skin walls are more cost-effective.
How do you insulate a garage?
Insulation should be a non-negotiable if you’re planning to build an attached garage or if you intend to use your garage as a living space.
There are two preferred options for internal garage insulation:
- Insulated plasterboard
- Cavity wall insulation
How to build a garage roof
Your garage roof is integral to ensuring your structure is weathertight. For this reason, plus the safety considerations of working at height, we always recommend using an experienced professional.
As an outline, here’s what to expect from the process:
Planning and preparation
By this stage of your project, you will have created a plan for your garage build and should know the parameters of the legally acceptable height of the roof.
Flat roofs are cheaper and simpler to build. However, pitched roofs require less maintenance and are more durable.
You will also need to calculate the volume of materials needed (timber, roofing felt, shingles or tiles, nails, screws etc).
Construction
As an overview, these are the key stages of building a garage roof:
- Building the frame
- Installing the wall plates (the horizontal beams that rest on the top of the garage walls to support the roof)
- Erecting the rafters (the angled beams that go from the wall plates to the ridge board at the peak of the roof
- Installing roof decking (e.g. plywood)
- Waterproofing with roofing felt
- Installing the roof tiles or shingles, flashing, and guttering
Find an experienced professional for your garage build
Search your postcode to find trusted and reputable tradespeople in your area.
How to choose a garage door
In terms of choosing a garage door, there are three main considerations: security, functionality, and aesthetics.
Security
Whether you opt for manual locks or an automated set-up, security is a must.
If you’re building an attached garage, this is an even greater consideration; should someone access your garage, they potentially have access to your home. So choose appropriately for all external and internal doors.
You may also wish to install outdoor lighting on the outside of your garage for added security.
Functionality
There are a variety of different types of garage doors available, which makes it easy to find one to suit your needs.
- Up-and-over doors are great if space isn’t a problem
- Side-hinged doors are ideal if you’re creating a workshop
- Roller doors are perfect if you have limited headroom
Of course, sizing is important, so don’t forget to measure accurately!
If building an attached garage, internal doors between the garage and the house must be fire doors and fitted with a self-closing device. Remember, insulated doors will help with your energy efficiency.
Aesthetics
From a looks point of view, you can opt for a steel garage door, wood, aluminium, fibreglass, or composite.
Each has its own appeal. We recommend choosing a secure option that matches the style of your home’s exterior.
Our post on garage design ideas contains plenty more inspiration.
How do you get utilities to a new garage?
You might also be wondering how to get utilities such as water, gas, and electricity to your new garage.
This is a job for the professionals. You’ll need a qualified electrician for any electrical work and a Gas Safe registered engineer to install and connect gas pipes.
These professionals are fully trained to legally work with these services competently. They will:
- Ensure the correct permissions are sought and compliance with local building regulations adhered to
- Ensure the integrity of any existing services, avoiding unnecessary damage
- Arrange for inspections as required by your local authority
- Backfill the trenches once utilities are installed
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
How much does it cost to build a new garage?
The final part of the puzzle when building a garage is how much it will cost!
The cost of your garage build depends on the materials you choose, the size of your garage, the type of roof you opt for, and its intended purpose.
At one end of the scale, you can expect to pay in the region of £25,000 for a single garage with a flat roof. However, a double garage with a pitched tiled roof could set you back nearer £43,000.
We have a comprehensive guide to the cost of building a garage, containing more detailed information.
Find a local, experienced builder for the job
Building a garage is not an easy task unless you’re an experienced professional.
Find quality tradespeople in your local area by searching your postcode below.
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