Adding a Garage to Your Property: What Are Your Options?

Do you need more parking and storage?

Adding a garage ranks as one of the most beneficial and worthwhile upgrades for any property. A garage provides a convenient place to park, extra storage space, and can also add significant value to your home.

The thing is…

Garage quality and type can vary significantly. There are many options to consider when adding a garage to a property, from traditional brick builds to modern prefabricated options. Price, build standard, and installation duration can differ among the various styles.

Better still? Eighty-five percent of buyers view garage storage space as a must-have feature.

This means adding a garage isn’t just a luxury. It is a smart financial commitment for the future.

In This Guide

• The Main Types of Garages Available
• Why Concrete Garages Are Worth Considering
• Attached vs Detached: Which Is Right?
• Key Factors Before Making a Decision
• Getting Started With Your Garage Project

The Main Types of Garages Available

When looking at concrete garages for purchase, you have several durable choices available. Understanding the distinctions between each kind is essential for making the right choice.

Let’s break it down…

Traditional Brick-Built Garages

Brick garages are the traditional option and have been built for generations. This method of garage building uses traditional construction methods to build the structure on-site from scratch.

It permits extensive personalization and can be styled to match the current home.

The downside…

Expect a long time to build if you go this route. Brick garages take the longest to construct. Several weeks of building work, noise and disruption are normal. The cost is also usually the highest.

Prefabricated Concrete Garages

Prefabricated garages are the modern alternative to traditional building. As the name suggests, a prefabricated garage is manufactured in sections off-site and assembled on your property.

Pre-made concrete garages are increasingly the top selection for a growing number of house owners. Why? The prefab concrete option offers:

• Faster installation time (frequently finished in one day.
• Cheaper costs overall compared to brick
• Strong durability and weather resistance
• Less disruption to day-to-day life

The individual concrete panels are precision-manufactured, resulting in consistent build quality. Most garage companies provide various dimensions and designs to suit different homes.

Metal and Steel Garages

Metal garages are the budget option and are a popular choice for this reason. They are easy to install and provide sufficient protection for a vehicle.

You won’t get as much added property value from a metal structure, however.

Metal also suffers from higher levels of condensation and may not look as nice as other materials, depending on your neighbourhood.

Timber Garages

Wooden garages can add a natural and traditional appearance that works well with rural properties. Maintenance levels are higher compared to concrete, but the appearance can be worth it.

The main issue with timber? The on-going upkeep and repair costs can soon mount up. There is also a chance of weathering damage from climate exposure over time.

Why Concrete Garages Are Worth Considering

Concrete garages are fast becoming the most popular option available.

Ask yourself…

When it comes to concrete garages for sale, the benefits are stacked up in their favour. Concrete is an extremely sturdy material needing little upkeep and offering excellent durability. Concrete garage manufacturers often offer 10-year warranties or more on their structures.

The value proposition is hard to beat. Research from Angi shows that the addition of a garage can add between $12,800 and $33,200 to property value. That’s an ROI of between 75% and 85%.

Impressive, right?

Concrete garages also offer greater security than lighter-weight alternatives. The robust construction helps to deter break-ins and protects valuable vehicles and equipment stored inside.

Attached vs Detached: Which Is Right?

This is a primary choice you must make when adding a garage.

Attached Garages

Attached garages connect directly to the main house structure. This can be handy, particularly if you often enter and exit your vehicle during poor conditions. You don’t have to endure harsh weather anymore.

The attached route is also slightly cheaper to build as the garage shares a wall with the existing property. It also simplifies having a connecting door from the home into the garage.

The drawback? Planning permission considerations can be higher, and it can impact the property layout significantly.

Detached Garages

Detached garages are entirely independent structures, separate from the dwelling. This is an advantage, because it offers more options for where to put it and how big to make it.

A detached garage can also be used for multiple purposes more easily. Workshop, home gym, storage unit…the list goes on. Detached structures are often much easier to get approved for planning reasons, too.

Research shows a detached garage can add up to 5% to property value depending on size and quality.

Key Factors Before Making a Decision

Before you decide, there are several important points to think about.

Budget

The cost for the different types of garages can vary by several thousand pounds. Metal garages start at a few thousand pounds, while a custom-built brick garage can easily run into tens of thousands. Prefabricated concrete garages are typically in the mid-range and offer great value for money.

Planning Permission

Some garage installations will need planning permission, others won’t. Generally, smaller garages under a certain size and height can fall under permitted development rights. Always check with the local council first.

Foundation Requirements

All garages will need a concrete foundation to sit on. Standard concrete bases are used and should be professionally laid by a contractor for best results. Some garage suppliers include foundation work in the installation price.

Access and Positioning

Think about the driveway and the access route from the road to the garage. The driveway position, turning space, and door clearances are all important. The wrong positioning can make daily access very frustrating.

Future Use

Parking is not the only use for a garage. Storage, workshops, or hobby spaces are also common uses for a garage. Opting for a slightly larger garage now may pay dividends in the future.

Getting Started With Your Garage Project

So, you want to start the garage journey?

It usually works like this:

1. Assess needs – Understand size needs and how the garage will be used
2. Research options – Compare different types of garages and suppliers
3. Get quotes – Request a detailed quote from multiple providers
4. Check permissions – Ensure you know planning requirements from local authorities
5. Prepare the site – Arrange for the foundation work to be done if needed
6. Schedule installation – Book in the build/delivery date for the garage

Reputable garage suppliers will offer a free site survey and no-obligation quotes. It’s always worth taking advantage of these to ensure you are getting an accurate quote and the right product for the property.

Wrapping Things Up

A garage is one of the most practical home improvements you can add to a property. You have many options to choose from when adding a garage, from DIY prefabricated builds to custom-made brick structures.

Prefabricated concrete garages for sale are one of the best options. Concrete is durable, weather-resistant and requires very little maintenance.

Concrete garages are also often more cost-effective than brick-built options and can be installed in just a day. These types of garages offer the security and weatherproofing vehicles need while still adding value to the property.

The trick is to pick a garage type that suits your specific needs, budget, and property style. It is worthwhile to research thoroughly and get several estimates to secure the best possible result.

Whether you need more parking space, a workshop, storage, or a little bit of everything… A quality garage is an investment that will keep on giving for many years to come.