How much does it cost to build a garage in 2026?

Reviewed by the Palmako UK content team with insights from our garden building experts.

A garage isn’t just a place for parking your car. Often it doubles as a storage unit or becomes a conversion. It also affects the resale value of your home. So, it's a big project that needs careful consideration and scrutiny of the costs involved. 

In this guide, we help you explore different options and look at what you can expect to pay for your garage build. Let’s get right into it. 

Quick Overview

In the UK, it can cost between £3,500 - £35,000 to build a garage. The size of the garage, building materials, base, and roof are some of the factors that determine the final cost. A traditional brick garage costs roughly £8,000 - £25,000, while a budget option will cost around £2,500 (basic metal or timber kits). Prices vary according to locality. 

Table of Contents

• Single vs. Double-door garages
• Timber prefab garage
• Steel/Metal garage
• Traditional masonry garage
• Garage foundation/base
• Garage roof options
• Garage alternatives
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Single vs Double-door garages

The space you have available is going to determine whether you can have a single or double-door garage. Standard garage sizes in the UK comply with the following measurements:

• Standard single garage: Approximately 3.0m x 6.0m (internal floor space). Suits small or medium cars. 
• Double garage: Approximately 6.0m x 6.0m. Big enough for two cars and some storage.
• Oversized/workshop: Around 7.0m-8.0m in length, and 7.0m in width. Accommodates two large cars, some storage, and a small workshop area.

Many detached single-storey garages fall under permitted development, provided they meet the size/height/position criteria covered in local council regulations. Each region in the UK has slightly different rules, so always check with the local council. In most regions, if it’s not higher than 2.5m and between 1-3m from the boundary wall, and doesn’t exceed 50% of the garden area, it will be fine. However, if you’re in a conservation area, everything changes, and you must get planning permission. 

Cost and timeline estimates for single and double-door garages

Estimates are based on a new garage and include labour costs, but exclude additional costs like a concrete driveway, extra storage space, security systems, and garage design costs. Garage door styles can vary greatly in cost, with sectional garage doors costing more than hinged doors. For example, a single sectional door can cost up to £3,000, while a double sectional door starts at roughly £2,700.

Timber Prefab Garage

Palmako Roger XL Double-door timber garage with windows (6m x 5.3m)

A prefabricated garage is a factory-made kit that allows for DIY assembly. They are delivered in panels or sections and come with instructions to be assembled on-site. The timber-frame can be shiplap, log-lap, or composite cladding. They can be factory-painted and treated to prevent damage from external elements (such as weather, rodents, and insects). 

Check with the manufacturer whether they supply the garage doors and windows.  Sometimes this isn’t the case, and homeowners are left with unexpected bills. Also, the supplier often provides assembly services, which will speed up the build and ensure that things are done right. Garage foundations should be laid before assembly, and you can check with the supplier what kind of base will be suitable for your garage. 

Pre-fab wooden garage construction costs

• Single: £3,500 - £10,000
• Double: £8,000 - £20,000

Expert insight: Do I need planning permission for a wooden garage?

Steel/Metal Garage

Steel or metal garages are made of galvanized steel or metal and are manufactured from panels or frames. These can be delivered to the site as kits or modular sections and are fixed to a prepared concrete foundation. Installation can be completed within a few days rather than weeks, making steel or metal garages a popular option in the UK.

Metal garage build costs are the cheapest upfront option, especially for basic vehicle storage. Like timber garages, they bypass planning permission if they meet the standard criteria, but if you’re installing drainage, electrics, and water in the garage, you may need building regulations approval (this applies to all types of garages). Entry-level models will not be insulated and are designed purely to weatherproof your vehicle, but the project can be completed at minimum cost. 

Metal prefab construction costs

• Single: £5,000 – £16,000
• Double: £9,000 – £28,000

Lower-end costs include basic components and finishes, while higher-end costs can include insulation, security systems, lighting, and storage solutions. 

Traditional masonry garage

Masonry garages are built by contractors on-site from the ground up. They are built on concrete foundations, using blockwork and brickfacing. This option is more expensive because the homeowner often requires the structure to model the materials of the main house, and this takes longer than the timber or steel prefab options. 

It also involves a much longer build time, multiple trades and higher labour input. However, the main drawcard is that it delivers a permanent structure that is long-lasting and durable. 

Contractors charge per square metre for this type of building, and ground conditions, as well as roof type, cause the pricing to vary considerably. From a cost-value perspective, masonry garages offer better long-term value, particularly at resale, and it might be helpful for homeowners to view it as a capital investment rather than a utility purchase. 

Masonry garage construction costs

• Single: £10,700 - £36,500
• Double: £19,300 - £60,000+  

An attached garage, sometimes called a garage extension, shares a wall with the main house. This can reduce the costs of the garage project. However, you will need to get planning permission for this kind of add-on to your primary residence.  You are looking at a 10% - 25% reduction in costs, depending on the design of your garage. 

Garage Foundation/Base

The most common base for domestic garages is a concrete slab foundation. However, a strip foundation plus suspended floor can be used where ground conditions dictate. Slabs measure 100-150mm for light garages (one vehicle), and 150-200mm for heavier vehicles, and workshops with heavy tools. Mesh or rebar is often recommended to ensure stability and load-bearing capacity. 

Garage foundation cost

• Single: £2,400 - £4,560
• Double: £3,500 - £6,500  

Garage roof options

A primary factor affecting the garage price is the type of roofing you want. Flat roofs tend to be cheaper than pitched roofs on masonry buildings, with a pitched tiled roof being the most expensive (premium) option. While roof costs are included in the overall price of a garage build, this cost breakdown gives you an idea of how different roof types affect what you’ll pay. 

Garage alternatives

Palmako Robert XL Carport (5.6m x 7.3m)

If you’re finding the cost of building a full garage restrictive, and don’t want to store items in your garage or use it as a conversion later on, then you could consider a carport. A carport is a cost-effective way of sheltering your car from the elements while reducing costs. Timber or metal frame carports can be delivered to the building site for assembly, and usually do not require planning permission. 

Our Palmako experts compared the costs of a carport vs a garage, and this is what they found:

• Carports vs Garage: What’s really worth building?
• How much does a carport cost? Guide to pricing and options.

Conclusion

Building a garage in the UK can cost you anywhere between £3,500 for a prefabricated garage and £80,000 for a highly customised, multi-area double garage. The most cost-effective options are prefabricated timber or steel kits with flat roofing. The timeline for their assembly is mere days instead of weeks, and they do not require contractors (although some suppliers will provide assembly teams). 

Once you have made a preliminary decision about size and type of garage, obtain at least three quotes from highly-rated suppliers.  You can also contact our Palmako experts, and they will be happy to discuss your needs and help you choose a garage (or carport) that works for you. If you prefer, you can browse through our garages and carports catalogue first. 

FAQs: How much does it cost to build a garage?

1. Is it cheaper to build or buy a garage?

In the UK, it is generally cheaper to buy a garage than to build one, but prices can vary according to region. Basic prefab garage kits can be purchased for £1,000–£8,000, with a single prefab kit starting at £3,500, and a double costing on average £7,700. A single traditional brick build often ranges between £30,000–£36,000, making it significantly more expensive. 

2. How much would it cost to build a 6x6m garage in the UK?

In the UK, this would be considered a large garage with double doors. The final cost is dependent on the material, roofing, electrical outlets, and base, but you can expect to pay £1,200 – £1,500 per m². This price includes everything linked to the project, including labor and materials. For example, a 40 m² bespoke garage with a pitched roof would cost £43,000 (roughly £1,075 per m²). 

3. How long does it take to build a garage?

Prefabricated options have faster assembly times than masonry garages. For a prefab kit, it can take between 1-8 weeks to custom-build the garage, and between 3-10 days to assemble the kit. Masonry garages can often take between 6-16 weeks to complete, with detached double garages taking the longest. Weather, contractor availability, and material lead times affect build times. 

References:

• https://www.checkatrade.com
• https://www.trustedbuilders.co.uk