How Much to Build a Double Garage

Thinking about adding a double garage to your home and unsure what it will cost in the UK This guide explains realistic price ranges for different double garage types, what affects the budget and how to plan costs with confidence

Introduction
A double garage is one of the most practical additions you can make to a UK home. It can provide secure parking for two cars, extra storage, workshop space or even the foundations of a future conversion. However the question most homeowners ask first is simple. How much does it cost to build a double garage

The answer depends on several factors. Size, construction type, whether it is attached or detached, the quality of materials, roof design, site conditions and whether you choose basic shell construction or a fully finished interior. This article walks through typical UK cost ranges, explains the options for brick, block, timber and prefabricated double garages and sets out planning, building regulation and practical considerations.

By the end you will have a clear understanding of how much it costs to build a double garage in the UK and what you should consider when setting your budget.

What A Double Garage Is
A double garage is a garage wide enough to accommodate two vehicles side by side. In UK terms a common internal size for a functional double garage is around 5.5 to 6 metres wide by 5.5 to 6 metres deep. Some developers build smaller but many homeowners find that under about 5.2 metres wide a double garage becomes tight for modern cars.

Double garages can be

Attached to the house
Detached and free standing
Integral within the footprint of the house
Built in brick and block
Constructed from timber frame and cladding
Supplied as a prefabricated concrete or steel unit

They can have a single wide garage door or two separate doors. Roofs are typically tiled or slated pitched roofs or flat roofs finished with felt, GRP or single ply membranes.

Who A Double Garage Is For
A double garage suits many types of homeowner

Families with two cars who want secure parking
Homeowners short on storage space who want room for bikes, tools and garden equipment alongside vehicles
Tradespeople needing space for tools and a van
Homeowners planning for a future conversion into a home office, garden room or annexe
People who value car protection from weather or potential vandalism
Buyers who want to add value and kerb appeal to their property

Even if you do not always keep two cars inside, a double garage provides far more flexibility than a single garage.

Key Cost Factors When Building A Double Garage
Several core elements influence the final cost of a double garage in the UK

Size and footprint
Attached versus detached
Structural method and materials
Roof design
Foundations and ground conditions
Doors windows and access
Level of internal finish
Location and labour rates

The following sections break down each of these.

Size And Footprint
Larger garages cost more in materials and labour. Many UK homeowners choose approximate external dimensions of 6 by 6 metres or slightly larger to provide comfortable space. Increasing width or depth increases brickwork, roof area and slab size which all push up cost.

Attached Versus Detached
An attached double garage that connects to the house may need more structural work and integration with the existing building. It may need fire separating construction and careful detailing where it meets the house. A detached double garage usually has simpler detailing but may require more external works such as a longer driveway or paths.

Construction Type
Broadly you have four main options

Traditional brick and block construction
Block with render finish
Timber frame with cladding
Prefabricated concrete or steel units

Traditional brick and block double garages usually sit at the higher end of the price range because of labour time and material cost but they tend to blend best with the main house and are durable. Timber frame garages can be cheaper particularly for open fronted or cart lodge styles although fully enclosed insulated versions sit closer to masonry prices. Prefabricated double garages are often the most cost effective for basic storage and parking.

Roof Design
A simple mono pitch or flat roof usually costs less to build than a pitched tiled roof. However pitched roofs often look better match the house and provide storage space in the roof void. Complex roofs with hips dormers or high quality slate finishes sit at the upper end of cost.

Foundations And Ground Conditions
Costs rise if your ground conditions are poor. For example if you need deeper foundations due to clay or tree roots or if the site is sloping and needs excavation and retaining walls. Simple level sites with good bearing ground and straightforward strip foundations are more cost effective.

Doors Windows And Access
A double garage with a single large sectional or roller door can cost less than two separate doors but premium insulated doors add significantly to the budget. Side personnel doors, uPVC windows and glazed units all add to cost but improve usability.

Level Of Internal Finish
You can choose a basic shell or a fully finished space

Bare block walls and concrete floor
Plastered walls
Painted floor
Insulation to walls and roof
Power points and lighting
Heating for workshop or gym use

A simple uninsulated shell is cheaper but less comfortable. If you think you may convert or heavily use the garage in future it can be wise to invest in insulation and basic finishes from the start.

Typical UK Cost Ranges To Build A Double Garage
Actual prices vary with market conditions but you can use ballpark ranges for budgeting. Figures below assume a roughly 6 metre by 6 metre double garage on a straightforward site.

Prefabricated Double Garage
A simple prefabricated concrete or steel double garage usually starts around

Seven thousand to twelve thousand pounds for supply and basic installation for a double width unit with limited customisation

Timber Frame Double Garage
A timber frame double garage with a pitched roof can range from

Twelve thousand to twenty five thousand pounds depending on

Whether it is open fronted or enclosed
The roofing material
The quality of cladding and joinery
Whether there is a room in the roof

Brick And Block Double Garage
A traditionally built brick and block detached double garage with a pitched tiled roof typically sits in the range of

Twenty five thousand to forty thousand pounds for a basic uninsulated shell with a concrete floor and standard up and over doors

If you add high quality facing brick, insulation, electric sectional doors, internal plastering, extra windows and electrical installation the total can rise to

Forty thousand to sixty thousand pounds or more

Attached Double Garage
An attached double garage which ties into the main house can cost slightly more than a detached version of similar size because of extra structural work and detailing. You might expect

Thirty thousand to fifty thousand pounds for a well specified attached double garage

Fully Insulated High Specification Garages
If you build the double garage to near habitable standards with full insulation in floor walls and roof plastered interiors high quality windows and doors and services for potential future conversion costs can approach or exceed

Fifty thousand to seventy thousand pounds depending on location and finish

These ranges are intended as guides. Detailed quotes from local builders will always provide the most accurate picture.

Planning Permission And Building Regulations
In England and Wales some double garages can be built under permitted development rights if they meet certain conditions on size height and position. However many double garages exceed these limits so planning permission is often required especially in conservation areas or for attached structures.

Building regulations normally apply as the structure is more than a simple outbuilding. Foundations, structural stability, roof design, fire separation where attached to the house and drainage all have to meet current standards. If you intend to insulate and run electrics this will also fall under the regulations.

In Scotland and Northern Ireland rules differ so you should always check with the local authority or planning portal before starting work.

Real World UK Examples
A homeowner in a suburban cul de sac might choose a simple detached brick and block double garage at the end of the drive with a pitched roof and two up and over doors. With straightforward access and services nearby they may receive quotes around thirty to thirty five thousand pounds for a basic shell with power and lighting.

A rural property owner might commission a timber frame double garage with an open front and storage room above. With oak effect posts, clay tiles and a quality finish the project could cost between thirty five and fifty thousand pounds.

A new build homeowner with an integral single garage may add an attached double garage extension to the side, forming a new hallway and utility area as part of the project. Because this involves structural alterations and integration with the existing house the cost may sit in the forty thousand to sixty thousand pounds range.

Key Costed Elements In A Double Garage Project
To understand where your money goes it helps to consider the main elements separately.

Groundworks and foundations
Concrete slab or oversite
External walls and structure
Roof structure and covering
Garage doors
Windows and side doors
Electrics and lighting
Internal finishes and insulation
Driveway changes, drainage and external works

On a standard brick and block double garage each of these may represent a noticeable percentage of the total. For example groundworks and foundations might be fifteen to twenty percent of the budget. Roof structure and tiles another fifteen to twenty percent. Doors and windows ten to fifteen percent.

Ways To Manage And Reduce Costs

Choose A Simple Shape
Rectangular garages with straightforward gable roofs are more cost effective than complex L shaped designs or hipped roofs.

Avoid Over Specifying For Storage Use
If the garage is mainly for parking and storage you may not need full insulation and plastered interiors. Blockwork with a painted finish can be perfectly adequate.

Compare Door Options
A single wide sectional or roller door can cost less than two separate doors and can be more convenient. If budget is tight a basic up and over steel door is cheaper than a high specification insulated sectional door.

Plan Services Efficiently
Running electrics and lighting at the build stage is far cheaper than retrofitting. Plan where sockets, lights and external power points should go from day one.

Consider Future Use
If there is a realistic chance you will convert the garage in future it can be cost effective to over specify now with better insulation and a stronger slab. Retrofitting later is more disruptive.

Do Some Work Yourself
Non structural tasks such as painting internal walls, installing shelving and fitting storage can be tackled as DIY if you are confident and have time.

Hidden And Often Overlooked Costs

Planning and design fees
Structural engineer input for beams or unusual foundations
Building control fees
Upgrades to drainage if you add a utility area
Driveway widening or resurfacing
Upgrading the main consumer unit if you add significant electrical load

These costs can collectively add thousands to the final figure so they should be included in early budgeting.

Timeframe To Build A Double Garage
A straightforward detached double garage in brick and block might take

Two to four weeks for groundworks and foundations including curing time
Two to four weeks for the structure and roof
A further one to two weeks for doors, windows, electrics and finishing

So overall you might expect six to ten weeks depending on weather, labour availability and specification. More complex or attached schemes can take longer.

When A Double Garage Makes Financial Sense
A double garage can add value to a home, especially in suburban or rural locations where parking and storage are prized. It often appeals strongly to buyers with multiple vehicles or hobbies that need protected space.

The project makes most sense where

You plan to stay in the property long term and will benefit from the extra space
Local property values support the investment
The garage improves the layout of the plot and parking
There is a realistic possibility for future conversion that can further increase value

If your street is dominated by homes without off street parking, building a double garage may deliver a strong resale advantage.

Conclusion
The cost to build a double garage in the UK varies widely but most homeowners can expect to invest somewhere between the low tens of thousands for a basic prefabricated or simple timber unit and upwards of forty to sixty thousand pounds for a high quality brick and block or fully insulated structure. The final figure depends on size, construction type, roof, finishes and how close you want the space to be to habitable standards.

By understanding the key cost drivers and planning your specification carefully you can design a double garage that fits your budget and delivers long term practical value. With realistic expectations and a clear scope of work, a double garage can be one of the most useful and versatile additions to your home.