How much is it to build a garage yourself?

Answer 1

Depends where you are in the world.

In my location, Southern Alberta, anywhere from $8,000-$15,000.

In my case? I'm applying for my own building permit. I'm doing my own concrete pad (excavating, grading, gravel, and having ready made concrete brought in for $1,600). I'm putting up the siding myself. I'm installing the tar paper and roof shingles myself and the eaves-through and etc.. I'm also digging up the trench for my electrical and natural gas lines from my house to the detached garage.

I'm hiring a tradesman for each of the following: Framing, running the electrical, running the natural gas (both electrical and gas permits are purchased by electrician and plumber and billed back to me), installing the over head furnace/heater which I am purchasing separately, installing the garage door.

End result? I'm purchasing a Garage Package from local home hardware store. 22'x28' garage with 2' apron and 6" curb walls. 2x6 construction, space saving trusses (think attic storage/crawl space). 60amp service, natural gas service. 36" man door, 2 standard garage size windows. Siding and shingles to match house. Total height 15' maximum.

Garage builder estimates (have received 6 in total all about the same cost): $31,000.

Building it my way as stated above my estimate is around $14,000.

Hope this helps. If you don't own your land and live in a city or town check your local zoning laws for your lot. There will be a maximum allowed height limit. You may not be approved for an above cold room or mother-in-law suite if you were to want one. You might be limited, for example, to a 22'x24' maximum size. Get a real property report by a surveyor so as to use all available space without intruding on or over your property line. You should have received this type of report when you purchased your home or land/lot. Your neighbors could wait until you completely finish building before filing a formal complaint to the city/town/county then you're hooped. You would either have to purchase from your neighbor the intruded land or literally move your garage. As for saving money with an electrician or plumber check your building permit office. My office states you must be a certified electrician to install electricity and the same with gas line-certified. I know how to install it but don't have certification-chose a different career.

I'm told the general rule of thumb regarding surveyors reports is unless property lines are legally changed by the city, or purchased by a neighbor, that report is etched in stone. If nothing has changed since accepting your copy from the home purchase that report should still be OK. So inquire to your land use office.

I'm no expert and not a licensed tradesman. I am sharing my results of my own research in building my detached garage with above specs.

There is also more affordable option versus traditional steel, vinyl and wooden carports. These are "portable garages". A portable garage can provide vehicle protection from hail, snow, blizzarding snow and damaging UV rays at a fraction of the cost of more expensive materials in wood, metal and vinyl .

Consisting of an all "steel frame" and covered with a "canopy top made from a polyethylene" fabric material.

You might have seen these around the city being utilized for vehicle, rv or boat storage. They come in a complete "diy package" and cost around $450.00 for a discount model, and can quickly add up to a few thousand. Of course, depending on the size and quality of the portable garage brand.