Extensions & Conversions · Updated 2026
Cost of building a garage in the UK
Typical range£12,000–£40,000· garage
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
Indicative price ranges (UK, GBP)
| 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.
Labour line items
| 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.
Materials & fittings
| 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.
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.