Cost of building a garage in the UK
Building a garage in the UK typically costs £12,000–£25,000 for a single garage and £20,000–£40,000 for a double garage. Prefabricated concrete sectional garages start at £4,000–£8,000; a custom brick-built double garage with integrated storage or a room above can exceed £50,000.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up driveway installation cost in the uk, house extension cost in the uk and extension cost per m² in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Prefab concrete sectional (single) | £4,000–£8,000 |
Prefab concrete sectional (double) | £7,000–£14,000 |
Timber frame garage (single) | £8,000–£16,000 |
Brick-built garage (single, flat roof) | £12,000–£22,000 |
Brick-built garage (single, pitched roof) | £15,000–£28,000 |
Brick-built double garage | £20,000–£40,000 |
Double garage with room above | £40,000–£65,000 |
Labour costs
Labour is 40–50% of a brick-built garage. Groundworks, bricklaying, roofing and electrics dominate.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Groundworker / foundations | £2,000–£5,000 |
Bricklayer | £4,000–£10,000 |
Carpenter / roofer | £3,000–£7,000 |
Electrician (lights, sockets, door) | £500–£1,200 |
Plasterer / decorator (if room above) | £2,000–£5,000 |
Materials costs
Materials include concrete slab, blocks, bricks, timber, roofing, doors, windows and electrics.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Concrete slab foundation | £2,000–£5,000 |
Blockwork / brickwork | £3,000–£8,000 |
Timber (roof structure, stud walls) | £2,000–£5,000 |
Roofing (flat felt / pitched tiles) | £1,500–£5,000 |
Garage door (up-and-over / sectional / roller) | £800–£3,000 |
Windows, electrics, insulation | £1,000–£3,500 |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Construction type — prefab is cheapest; brick-built is most durable.
- ·Size — single vs double vs with room above.
- ·Roof type — flat roofs are cheaper; pitched roofs last longer and look better.
- ·Foundation depth — clay soil or sloping ground increases groundwork cost.
- ·Location — London and South East add 20–30%.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Use a prefabricated concrete sectional garage for the lowest cost and fastest install.
- ·Attach the garage to the house to share a wall and reduce build cost.
- ·Use a flat roof with EPDM rubber rather than pitched tiles for budget builds.
- ·Buy the garage door directly and have the builder fit it.
- ·Get three fixed-price quotes from FMB-registered builders.
Permission and regulations
A detached garage can be built under permitted development if it stays within outbuilding limits — for example, a maximum eaves height of 2.5m and overall height of 2.5m when within 2m of a boundary, and not in front of the house. Attached garages are treated as extensions.
A detached garage under 30m² of floor area often does not need building regulations approval if it has no sleeping accommodation and is built far enough from the boundary or of non-combustible materials. An attached garage generally does need approval.
Budget items people forget
Power and lighting, a new driveway or crossover, drainage for the roof, and removing spoil from foundations are all common extras. Ask whether the quote includes the door, guttering and electrics.
Brick vs prefabricated
Concrete sectional and timber kit garages are much cheaper and quicker than a brick-built garage, but add less to a property's value and are harder to convert into living space later.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need planning permission for a garage?
- Often not under permitted development if it meets height, volume and boundary rules. Always check with your local planning department.
- Does a garage add value to a house?
- Yes — a single garage typically adds £10,000–£20,000; a double garage £20,000–£40,000, especially in urban areas with parking pressure.
- How long does it take to build a garage?
- A prefab sectional garage: 1–2 days. A brick-built single garage: 2–3 weeks. A double with room above: 6–10 weeks.
- Can I build a garage myself?
- A keen DIYer can erect a prefab or timber frame garage. Brick-built garages need professional bricklayers, roofers and electricians.
- Is a garage conversion cheaper than building new?
- Yes — converting an existing garage to a room costs £8,000–£18,000, far less than building new.
Sources & how we estimate
Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.
- Planning Portal — Extensions
- GOV.UK — Party Wall etc. Act 1996 explained
- GOV.UK — Building regulations approval
- Planning Portal — Do you need permission?
- ONS — Construction output price indices
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