How Much Does It Cost To Build A Garage In 2026? A UK Guide

March 31st 2026

For architects and contractors, budgeting a garage project isn’t just about footprint, it’s about understanding how materials, finishes, and site-specific factors impact the overall cost. 

 

Whether you’re looking to build a small single garage or a spacious double garage, understanding the costs provides early-stage cost feasibility, giving your client a practical starting point for budgeting.

 

In this article, we provide a detailed comparison of four popular garage types (single and double, flat and pitched roofs) along with regional rate variations and costs per square metre across the UK.

Building A Garage Construction Cost Calculations

In our calculations, we assume the garage is an extension to an existing dwelling, not a new detached structure, and 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, which 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	£35,718	£39,940	£43,836	£2,165	£2,421	£2,657
Greater London	£40,022	£44,751	£49,803	£2,426	£2,712	£3,018
Inner London	£36,726	£42,497	£44,857	£2,226	£2,576	£2,719
Midlands	£34,451	£38,522	£42,280	£2,088	£2,335	£2,562
North England	£39,202	£43,835	£48,112	£2,376	£2,657	£2,916
Northern Ireland	£34,856	£37,078	£41,713	£2,060	£2,247	£2,528
Scotland	£35,723	£39,945	£43,842	£2,165	£2,421	£2,657
South East	£40,409	£45,184	£49,592	£2,449	£2,738	£3,006
South West	£34,646	£39,876	£43,766	£2,161	£2,417	£2,652
Wales	£33,631	£37,605	£40,326	£2,038	£2,279	£2,444
Average	£36,538	£40,923	£44,813	£2,215	£2,480	£2,716

All costs exclude VAT.

 

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

 

• The minimum cost is £33,631, and the maximum cost is £49,803.
• The total average cost is £40,758, or £2,470 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	£42,815	£47,875	£52,545	£2,595	£2,901	£3,185
Greater London	£47,458	£53,067	£58,929	£2,876	£3,216	£3,571
Inner London	£44,345	£51,151	£54,195	£2,688	£3,100	£3,285
Midlands	£41,096	£45,953	£50,436	£2,491	£2,785	£3,057
North England	£46,091	£51,538	£56,566	£2,793	£3,123	£3,428
Northern Ireland	£41,313	£43,745	£49,213	£2,430	£2,651	£2,983
Scotland	£42,527	£47,552	£52,192	£2,577	£2,882	£3,163
South East	£47,863	£53,520	£58,741	£2,901	£3,244	£3,560
South West	£41,383	£47,702	£52,356	£2,585	£2,891	£3,173
Wales	£40,106	£44,845	£48,216	£2,431	£2,718	£2,922
Average	£43,500	£48,695	£53,339	£2,637	£2,951	£3,233

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 £40,106, and the maximum cost is £58,929.
• The total average cost is £48,551, or £2,940 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	£54,344	£60,621	£66,415	£1,647	£1,837	£2,013
Greater London	£56,645	£63,340	£70,204	£1,717	£1,919	£2,127
Inner London	£50,872	£59,105	£62,153	£1,542	£1,791	£1,883
Midlands	£47,654	£53,286	£58,484	£1,444	£1,615	£1,772
North England	£55,289	£61,823	£67,854	£1,675	£1,873	£2,056
Northern Ireland	£48,234	£51,151	£57,545	£1,462	£1,550	£1,744
Scotland	£49,580	£55,440	£60,849	£1,502	£1,680	£1,844
South East	£57,279	£64,048	£70,297	£1,736	£1,941	£2,130
South West	£47,958	£55,375	£60,778	£1,453	£1,678	£1,842
Wales	£46,393	£51,875	£55,703	£1,406	£1,572	£1,688
Average	£51,425	£57,606	£63,028	£1,558	£1,746	£1,910

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 £46,393, and the maximum cost is £70,297.
• The total average cost is £57,353, or £1,738 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	£60,558	£67,715	£74,321	£1,835	£2,052	£2,252
Greater London	£68,051	£76,094	£84,203	£2,062	£2,306	£2,552
Inner London	£62,572	£72,377	£76,492	£1,896	£2,193	£2,318
Midlands	£57,857	£64,695	£71,007	£1,753	£1,960	£2,152
North England	£65,889	£73,676	£80,864	£1,997	£2,233	£2,450
Northern Ireland	£58,172	£61,429	£69,108	£1,706	£1,861	£2,094
Scotland	£60,033	£67,128	£73,677	£1,819	£2,034	£2,233
South East	£68,695	£76,813	£84,307	£2,082	£2,328	£2,555
South West	£58,292	£67,366	£73,938	£1,826	£2,041	£2,241
Wales	£56,338	£62,996	£67,822	£1,707	£1,909	£2,055
Average	£61,646	£69,029	£75,574	£1,868	£2,092	£2,290

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 £56,338, and the maximum cost is £84,307.
• The total average cost is £68,749, or £2,083 per square metre.

 

Summary Of The Average Cost To Build A Garage

So, how much does it cost to build a new garage in the UK? 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: £40,923, or £2,480 per square metre
• Single with pitched roof: £48,695, or £2,951 per square metre
• Double with flat roof: £57,606, or £1,746 per square metre
• Double with pitched roof: £69,029, or £2,092 per square metre

 

Last year, we ran the numbers on these same garage builds to the exact same specification, and since then, prices have seen an average increase of around 7.7%. 

 

Please remember that all costs exclude VAT.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Cost To Build A Garage

These frequently asked questions cover key considerations and costs for building a garage, helping architects, contractors, and homeowners plan effectively.

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

Beyond the base construction, costs can vary depending on your specifications. Common extras include drainage relocation; connecting the garage roof to the existing house roof; matching soffits and fascias; brickwork, plaster, and paint over any removed or altered windows; and the installation of side doors (access from the main building into the garage).

 

Additionally, garage doors can vary massively in cost depending on size and whether they are manual or electric, and other considerations such as installing EV charge points can add further to the budget (up to around £1,500).

 

You should also budget for a suitable driveway and landscaping to ensure the garage can be used effectively. Some homeowners take the opportunity to relocate the boiler to free up additional space.

 

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

Many garages fall under permitted development, meaning you usually don’t need planning permission if the garage is detached, single-storey, under 4 meters in height for a pitched roof (or 3 meters for a flat roof), and doesn’t cover more than 50% of the property’s total garden area.

 

Permission is usually required if the garage is too close to boundaries, typically within 2 meters of a neighbour’s property line. It’s always best to check with your local council before starting.

 

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. 

The stages that take the longest are constructing the external wall structure and lining (about 9 days), laying foundations and substructure (around 6.5 days), and demolitions and site prep. 

Everything else, like roof structure, windows and doors, drainage, wiring, and finishes, typically take less than two days each.