January 25th, 2025

The cost of building a garage continues to be influenced by rising material prices, labour rates, and regional variations across the UK. Whether you’re looking to build a small single garage or a spacious double garage, understanding the costs involved is essential to avoid cost overruns.

 

In this guide, we’ll provide a detailed comparison of four popular garage types: single garage with a flat roof, single garage with a pitched roof, double garage with a flat roof, and double garage with a pitched roof. This guide also includes regional rate comparisons across the UK, along with building costs per square metre.

 

Building A Garage Construction Cost Calculations

 
In our calculations, we applied a consistent methodology across different regions. The cost comparisons assume the garage is an extension to an existing dwelling, not a new detached structure. These cost excludes the installation of appliances and EV chargers.

 

The typical sizes of garages in the UK are:

 

• Single – 10 x 18 feet (3m × 5.5m, with a gross external area of 16.5m2)
• Double – 18 x 18 feet (5.5m × 6m, with a gross external area of 33m2)

 

We have used both of these measurements to calculate the costs in this article.

 

In terms of build specification when using our BuildPartner pricing tool, our pricing calculator gives you three broad options (which can be revised by item at a later point):

 

• Low spec is a basic finish; e.g. Leyland, Everest, Wickes.
• Standard spec is a standard finish; e.g. Dulux, Hamilton, Slim Line.
• Premium spec is a high-spec finish; e.g. Farrow & Ball, Fine Line, Siemens.

 

To keep this comparison simple, we have chosen standard spec in all our cost estimations. 

 

In addition to this, we have also provided three different benchmarks to show the range you can expect amongst different contractors. These are:

• Low benchmark – smaller companies are generally lower cost but less specialised and with low project management function; good for low/mid-spec projects and tight budgets.

• Mid benchmark – medium-sized companies offer a balanced mix of cost-effectiveness and specialisation; good for mid-range projects for effective execution within moderate budgets.

• High benchmark – larger companies generally have a higher cost base but can handle a wide variety of specialist tasks; good for mid/high-spec projects and project management.

 

In short, contractor pricing varies due to factors such as expertise, location, and project intricacies.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Flat Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Single Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£34,642	£37,791	£40,941	£2,100	£2,290	£2,481
Greater London	£36,188	£40,465	£45,089	£2,193	£2,452	£2,733
Inner London	£37,152	£41,431	£45,381	£2,252	£2,511	£2,750
Midlands	£33,738	£36,805	£39,872	£2,045	£2,231	£2,416
North England	£32,837	£35,822	£38,808	£1,990	£2,171	£2,352
Northern Ireland	£33,418	£36,522	£39,566	£2,029	£2,213	£2,398
Scotland	£33,357	£36,390	£39,422	£2,022	£2,205	£2,389
South East	£36,025	£40,282	£44,212	£2,183	£2,441	£2,680
South West	£33,961	£39,293	£43,126	£2,130	£2,381	£2,614
Wales	£32,782	£36,656	£39,285	£1,987	£2,222	£2,381
Average	£34,410	£38,146	£41,570	£2,093	£2,312	£2,519

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a flat roof:

• It costs 11% more to build a garage in London than in other regions.
• The minimum cost is £32,782, and the maximum cost is £45,381.
• The total average cost is £38,042, or £2,308 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Single Garage With A Pitched Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a single garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Single Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£41,399	£45,163	£48,927	£2,509	£2,737	£2,965
Greater London	£43,858	£49,041	£54,502	£2,658	£2,972	£3,303
Inner London	£44,837	£50,017	£54,799	£2,717	£3,031	£3,321
Midlands	£40,239	£43,898	£47,556	£2,439	£2,660	£2,882
North England	£39,233	£42,800	£46,367	£2,378	£2,594	£2,810
Northern Ireland	£39,568	£43,082	£46,673	£2,393	£2,611	£2,829
Scotland	£39,644	£43,248	£46,851	£2,403	£2,621	£2,839
South East	£43,495	£48,635	£53,380	£2,636	£2,948	£3,235
South West	£40,587	£47,114	£51,711	£2,554	£2,855	£3,134
Wales	£39,040	£43,654	£46,910	£2,366	£2,646	£2,843
Average	£41,190	£45,665	£49,767	£2,505	£2,768	£3,016

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £39,040, and the maximum cost is £54,799.
• The total average cost is £45,451, or £2,763 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Flat Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a flat roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Double Garage With Flat Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£47,969	£52,330	£56,690	£1,454	£1,586	£1,718
Greater London	£48,484	£54,214	£60,139	£1,469	£1,643	£1,822
Inner London	£50,304	£56,249	£62,413	£1,524	£1,705	£1,891
Midlands	£46,603	£50,839	£55,076	£1,412	£1,541	£1,669
North England	£45,307	£49,426	£53,544	£1,373	£1,498	£1,623
Northern Ireland	£46,036	£50,338	£54,533	£1,395	£1,525	£1,653
Scotland	£45,930	£50,105	£54,280	£1,392	£1,518	£1,645
South East	£50,094	£56,014	£61,479	£1,518	£1,697	£1,863
South West	£46,968	£54,549	£59,871	£1,423	£1,653	£1,814
Wales	£45,153	£50,489	£54,183	£1,368	£1,530	£1,642
Average	£47,285	£52,455	£57,221	£1,433	£1,590	£1,734

All costs exclude VAT.

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a double garage with a flat roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £45,153, and the maximum cost is £62,413.
• The total average cost is £52,530, or £1,585 per square metre.

 

How Much Does It Cost To Build A Double Garage With A Pitched Roof?

 
Here’s a table showing the average building costs of a double garage with a pitched roof for a standard-spec project in the UK:

Double Garage With Pitched Roof	Total Average Build Cost			Average Cost Per Sq Metre
	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark	Low Benchmark	Mid Benchmark	High Benchmark
East Anglia	£58,327	£63,630	£68,932	£1,767	£1,928	£2,089
Greater London	£62,074	£69,410	£76,858	£1,881	£2,103	£2,329
Inner London	£63,422	£70,761	£77,536	£1,922	£2,144	£2,350
Midlands	£56,574	£61,717	£66,860	£1,714	£1,870	£2,026
North England	£55,123	£60,135	£65,146	£1,670	£1,822	£1,974
Northern Ireland	£55,523	£60,456	£65,494	£1,679	£1,832	£1,985
Scotland	£55,628	£60,685	£65,742	£1,686	£1,839	£1,992
South East	£61,551	£68,825	£75,540	£1,865	£2,086	£2,289
South West	£57,132	£66,529	£73,020	£1,803	£2,016	£2,213
Wales	£54,766	£61,238	£65,894	£1,660	£1,856	£1,997
Average	£58,012	£64,339	£70,102	£1,765	£1,950	£2,124

All costs exclude VAT.

 

Here’s what the data shows for the cost of building a single garage with a pitched roof:

 

• The minimum cost is £54,766, and the maximum cost is £77,536.
• The total average cost is £64,151, or £1,964 per square metre.

 

How Long Does It Take To Build A Garage?

 
Based on a typical timeline, it would take approximately 4.5 weeks to build a garage with an average of two tradespeople, with an estimated breakdown by project stage of:

• Demolitions: 0.5 days 
• Foundations and substructure: 6.5 days
• Steel and structural supports: 0.2 days
• External wall structure and lining: 9.1 days
• Roof structure and coverings: 1.4 days
• External windows and doors: 1.5 days
• Drainage and pipework: 1 day
• Wiring and fuseboards: 0.3 days
• Wired appliances: 0.5 days
• Ceiling preparation and finishes: 0.5 days
• Wall preparation and finishes: 1.2 days

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Garage

 
So, how much does it cost to build a new garage in the UK? That depends largely on where you are building. If you’re building a garage in London, it will cost you an average of 11% more. Based on the four different types of garages covered in this article, you can expect building a garage to cost on average (when using a mid-benchmark contractor):

• Single with flat roof – £38,146, or £2,312 per square metre
• Single with pitched roof – £45,655, or £2,768 per square metre
• Double with flat roof – £52,455, or £1,590 per square metre
• Double with pitched roof – £64,339, or £1,950 per square metre

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

 

Start your free trial with BuildPartner today to get the most accurate estimate of your construction project.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost To Build A Garage

 
Here are answers to common questions about the cost of building a garage.

What additional costs should I budget for when building a garage?

 
When building a garage, consider the costs of adding an electric vehicle (EV) charger, which typically ranges from £800–£1,500. Upgrading or paving the driveway to provide smooth access can cost anywhere between £1,000–£5,000, depending on the materials used. Additionally, if you need to adjust access to a public road, installing a dropped kerb can cost £1,000–£2,500. 

Do I need planning permission to build a garage in the UK?

 
In the UK, garages under 30 square metres often fall under permitted development and require no planning permission if they meet specific criteria (e.g., height limits, no sleeping accommodation).  
 
Boundary rules (e.g., Party Wall Act) may apply if the garage is built close to property lines. Additionally, restrictions for conservation areas or listed properties may require further permissions. Always check with your local planning authority for specific requirements.
 
For more information, see our related article which covers planning permission.
 

Will building a garage affect council tax band?

 
While adding a garage doesn’t automatically increase your council tax, your local council or the VOA  (Valuation Office Agency in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors in Scotland) might reassess your property after the addition—although this is extremely rare. 
 

What is the average daily rate for builders in the UK?

 
Builders typically charge £150 to £300 per day, while specialist trades (electricians, plumbers) may charge £200 to £400 per day. Check out our latest article on our blog for more information about the rates of different trades by region.