How Much Does It Cost To Build A Garage? A Guide to Adding a Garage
Building a garage delivers many benefits to Australian homeowners, whether they need vehicle protection, storage space or workspace convenience. A properly designed garage gives both practical advantages to ownership and substantive increases to your property valuation.
Before sketching floor plans and comparing roller doors, you need to understand actual pricing factors. The construction price for Australian garages will differ broadly based on garage sizes, materials selection, geographic location, and custom design choices, which can easily increase costs between states by thousands of dollars.
This guide provides complete information about the cost to build a garage, including distribution of prices by type across Australian states, together with essential cost determinants, along with methods to save money during construction. The guide helps you prepare events with assurance by defining the costs required to construct different types of garages and parking spaces.
Average Garage Building Costs in Australia
Single Car Garage (Basic)
- Cost: $20,000 – $35,000
- Simple vehicle structures built with basic materials, including minimal features, exist for one car.
Double Car Garage (Basic)
- Cost: $30,000 – $55,000
- The basic two-car garage design includes motorised doors as an optional feature along with standard finishes.
Custom Double Garage
- Cost: $50,000 – $90,000+
- The combination of custom-made features alongside better materials selection and improved visual appeal results in this design.
Garage with Workshop or Studio
- Cost: $60,000 – $120,000+
- Additional storage areas exist in these spaces, which support activities such as creative work and hobbies while including electrical and plumbing features.
Detached Brick Garage
- Cost: $40,000 – $80,000
- Construction professionals prefer this lasting solid structure because it matches brick houses and handles fires exceptionally well.
Prefab Steel Garage (DIY Kit Only)
- Cost: $5,000 – $20,000
- The DIY garage kit comes with the structure itself but does not include foundation or installation services. This makes the price affordable for builders who want to construct their garage.
Key Factors That Influence Garage Building Costs
Size and Layout
- The dimensions of a structure determine most of its construction expenses. The cost of constructing a large facility stands higher because it needs additional materials in combination with extensive labour and longer construction time.
- A single garage measures around 3 meters by six meters as an enclosed space for parking one vehicle in properties with limited space.
- Double Garage (approx. 6m x 6m): Suitable for two cars or one car with additional space for storage.
- Triple Garage or Extended Depth design enables adaptable functionality by allowing space for both a workbench and storage elements, and trailer parking.
Construction Materials
- Your garage will acquire both its lifespan and overall appearance and budget directly from the materials you select for construction.
- A brick or block construction provides long-lasting durability while maintaining an attractive appearance, especially when combined with a brick structure of the surrounding house. Higher labour together with material expenses drive up the overall cost of this structure.
- A combination of Temple construction with exterior sheathing is an economical solution that retains flexibility together with structural strength. You can finish the material with Colorbond weatherboard and PVC as well as standard Colorbond.
- Steel (Prefabricated) Garages represent a quick installation alongside providing customers with the lowest price point. People who live in rural areas find this structure practical, yet it tends to provide limited design possibilities.
Foundation and Site Preparation
- The overall project expenses heavily depend on how the site environment shapes up.
- Costs increase if:
- The blocked property demands sloping adjustments followed by site levelling procedures.
- Existing structures need demolition.
- The site suffers from unstable soil as well as poor drainage.
- Building a concrete slab foundation by itself will cost $100–$150 per square meter yet its final price depends upon foundation depth and additional steel support.
Electrical and Plumbing
- You should budget for utility expenses when planning to use the garage beyond the storage of vehicles.
- Basic electrical installations incorporating power outlets and lighting will run from $1,000 to $2,500 in total costs.
- The expense of plumbing installation includes sink installation or toilet installation between $2,000 and $5,000+, according to the location of water mains.
- Insulation and ventilation work requires a budget of $1,500 to $4,000, which depends on size and material choice.
Garage Types and Their Costs Explained
Attached Garages
- The price is lower because attached garages require already-existing walls from the house.
- The connection of utilities through shared walls between the house and garage lowers construction expenses through simplified installation procedures.
- Multiple structural elements need less construction, thus attached garages built more quickly.
- People who desire a direct passage from their home to the garage will find this option beneficial.
Detached Garages
- More expensive due to needing all four walls and standalone foundations.
- Incoming structures close to property borders should follow stricter guidelines which can specify the installation of fire-resistant wall construction.
- Offers more flexibility in layout and location on your property.
- These structures serve both workshop purposes while offering extra privacy.
Prefabricated Garages (Steel Kits)
- Affordable and fast solution for basic garage needs.
- Various packages start at $5,000, but professional installation will cost between $5,000 and $15,000 more.
- Experienced builders can construct this without issues, while you need to confirm with your local council first throughout the process.
- People in rural areas and regions build these garages because they are simple to move and construct.
Council Approvals & Permits (Australia-Wide)
Construction permits usually apply to most garages unless they are small, stand far from borders or need plumbing systems. You’ll likely need approval if:
- The garage installation area exists either within the boundary limits or close enough to encounter boundary regulations.
- The structure features dimensions bigger than what the regulations allow for.
- Plumbing installations such as toilet systems and sink systems are provided for a garage.
Typical costs include:
- Development application fees: $200 – $2,000+
- Certifier or engineer fees: $1,000 – $3,000
You must contact your local council or hire a private certifier before construction because late consultation or approval can lead to penalties and eventually force modifications to the building plans.
Garage Build Cost by State
Throughout Australia, you can expect the cost to build a garage to change according to where you reside plus the current labour market costs and how availability of materials are and your local government requirements. The following information displays typical garage construction expenses throughout Australia's states and territories.
New South Wales (Metro Areas)
- The construction of garages in metropolitan NSW, especially Sydney, enjoys the status of being the most expensive building project due to elevated labour and real estate expenses in the region.
- Estimated cost: $35,000 – $75,000
Victoria
- The construction expenses in Melbourne, as well as its nearby suburbs, are lower than Sydney's prices, thus remaining substantial.
- Estimated cost: $30,000 – $70,000
Queensland
- Generally more affordable, especially in regional areas. The construction costs in Brisbane fall within the central part of price rates.
- Estimated cost: $25,000 – $65,000
Western Australia
- The construction prices in Perth match up with those in Victoria, while labour expenses and building materials remain at a reasonable level.
- Estimated cost: $30,000 – $60,000
South Australia
- Building expenses in Adelaide, along with regional South Australia, remain lower than what the eastern states of Australia charge.
- Estimated cost: $25,000 – $55,000
Tasmania
- The building of garages remains affordable in this area, but overseas materials may elevate expenses throughout remote locations.
- Estimated cost: $25,000 – $50,000
Northern Territory
- The combination of isolated locations and delivery difficulties pushes the overall construction expenses higher, even though population densities are reduced.
- Estimated cost: $30,000 – $60,000
Australian Capital Territory
- Canberra garage construction expenses fall among the highest levels in the nation, just behind Sydney and Melbourne.
- Estimated cost: $35,000 – $70,000
How To Proceed with Your Garage Construction
The process of developing a valuable project follows these essential actions before construction:
- Your local council needs to receive specific approvals regarding boundaries, together with zone regulations, so verify if your area complies with these requirements.
- Schedule your design steps by thinking about space size and vehicle dimensions, and future uses of the garage area
- Your budgeting process should begin with expense prediction and a preparedness fund covering 10–15% of project costs.
- When searching for licensed builders, obtain at least three quotes and verify their references, together with pictures from completed work jobs.
- Proper planning combined with strategic decisions enables homeowners to develop the finest home improvement through building a garage.
Tips for Saving Money When Building a Garage
Keep the Design Simple
You can limit the design to basic layouts, standard rectangular shapes or typical roof profiles to save money. A standard rectangular garage design based on a simple pitched roof costs less to construct and takes a shorter period for development. The complexity of designs leads buildings to require additional materials and staff who demand greater engineering expenses.
Choose Affordable Cladding
Builders should consider cheaper exterior finishes, including Colorbond steel and timber panels, in addition to weatherboard instead of traditional brick or rendered options. The options offer reliability as well as sophisticated looks at costs below those of brick walls and other masonry finishes.
DIY Where Possible
You should take on little projects alone to decrease the expenses related to labour charges. For example:
- Painting the interior
- Installing insulation batts
- Assembling shelving or basic storage
The execution of these tasks does not need professional assistance and results in cost reduction.
Use a Garage Kit
The prefabricated garage kit provides an inexpensive option for constructing easy designs. You can buy garage kits less expensively than bespoke construction while receiving the necessary components within the package. The ability to put the kit together through your talents or by someone in your network can result in enormous savings.
Get Multiple Quotes
A wise practice consists of obtaining at least three project quotes from professional builders who hold valid licenses and installation experience. Reading multiple price quotes enables you to understand actual market rates accurately while preventing excessive spending. Choose an option beyond cheap because you also require verification of professional credentials, together with customer reviews and previous project performance records.
Is Building a Garage Worth It?
Building a garage turns out to be both useful and economical if you follow appropriate construction methods. Having a garage is a necessity that most homeowners in Australian suburbs must have. A garage provides lasting convenience and peace of mind because it serves as a storage area and workshop space and shields vehicles from weather elements.
Regardless of location, a well-made functional garage will make your home more marketable to property seekers through its value increase. Research shows that property value increases between $20,000 and $60,000 or more based on your suburb location and block measurements, along with construction quality standards of the built garage. Urban property owners especially look favorably upon secure parking and extra storage possibilities because accessible street parking is scarce in these areas.
Adaptations beyond simple parking become feasible when dealing with garages. Property owners enhance their space by installing workbenches and home gyms or setting up studio or office spaces, which increase functional aspects of their residence without requiring a complete home expansion.
Conclusion
The cost to build a garage ranges across a broad scale, starting at $20,000 for standard prefabricated units but reaching beyond $100,000 for extensive customised constructions, including power systems and luxurious finishes. The final price of your garage construction will be determined by project elements, including design scale, material selection and construction site location, alongside self-done work involvement.
