Labour costs for a double garage

[TROOPER88]

Hi
I need a double garage built to store/work on cars. I will probably build a Westfield in time so need an suitable garage.

I had an architect draw some plans: 6 meters deep (20 foot) by circa 8 meters wide (26 foot), single double door with a couple of windows; I am sure you get the picture.

I want it to match the brickwork of the house so will source the bricks myself. If I was to source all the materials myself does anyone know what the labour charge may be to build it??

The site would need to be cleared (bushes), suitable foundations laid and so forth.

I am guessing that with a couple builders doing it it would take 6-8 weeks to complete?

Were based in Middlesex.

Any advice given is much appreciated; we plan on getting 3 quotes.

Thanks

[edo]

Take however long you think it will take and double it would be my first advice. Mainly as builders ALWAYS disappear for a few days here and there.

I'd guess £12k all said and done?

[TROOPER88]

I was hoping to get the materials for circa 6-7k and a give a builder circa 8-10k to build it.

Not sure if these figures are even realistic?

[GreigM]

I wouldn't say you're a million miles away - I had a complete double not dissimilar built about 4 years ago and it was 10K all-in (including materials).....but I'm substantially further north than you

[TonyF]

Hi,
If you allowed for around 5.5k for labour to build the garage your other expenses would consist of;

Labour for clearing site ( depends how much to clear really but at £200 per day per man you could probably work that out for yourself )
Then theres digging foundations... (again, labour rate per man + concrete)
Materials to build garage; sand /cement / cement mixer / bricks / blocks to build from concrete to DPC then roof works etc + garage door and windows etc.

All in all I would allow 12-14k.

Hope this helps.

[Vixpy1]

If you go for one of the timber garages, its alot cheaper.

[A Scotsman]

Vixpy1 said:

If you go for one of the timber garages, its alot cheaper.

Actually that's not a daft idea. There's some really good ones available now. Friend of mine has one and he thinks it's a lot warmer than his other concrete block one.

[edo]

TROOPER88 said:

I was hoping to get the materials for circa 6-7k and a give a builder circa 8-10k to build it.

Not sure if these figures are even realistic?

Seems fair to me. I (the builder!) just built a 3 bay oak tiled garage for £20k ish all in. (Once site was ready and the slab was done).

[geeteeaye]

A Scotsman said:

Vixpy1 said:

If you go for one of the timber garages, its alot cheaper.

Actually that's not a daft idea. There's some really good ones available now. Friend of mine has one and he thinks it's a lot warmer than his other concrete block one.

Yep and you can get a double garage 18' x 18' for £3.3k and put up for £370, very reasonable! http://www.regencytimberbuildings.co.uk/timber_gar...

[Vixpy1]

geeteeaye said:

Yep and you can get a double garage 18' x 18' for £3.3k and put up for £370, very reasonable! http://www.regencytimberbuildings.co.uk/timber_gar...

Remember the base, budget 1 or 2K for that

[irodger]

No idea of labour rates for Daan Saarf, but thought I'd chip in with a few points.

Now is a good time for the customer, as builders don't have the option to pick and choose jobs due to the housing market slump. Not as many houses being built means lot's of builders looking for any work they can get to keep them ticking over, hence good prices and deals for the customer. Get a few quotes and don't be surprised if they vary wildly!

Be wary of "too good to be true" quotes... they usually are and may end up costing more than you expect. Also, wait 'til the better weather is here. Brickies and joiners don't work in the cold and rain so it'll take less time overall if they get a good run at it in the summer.

If you don't mind getting your mitts dirty, help out as much as you can. A labourer will cost upwards of £100/day for a builder to hire, so if you can do as much clearing etc before they come in then you'll save a bit. Same with hiring skips etc, get your own then the builder can't over charge you for it.

Someone mentioned wooden garages. In Scotland, most free-standing structures like sheds, gazeebos and wooden garages don't require full planning permission and building control regs, so this can save funds too, but I'm not sure on English rules.

HTH

Edited by irodger on Friday 25th March 22:22

[TROOPER88]

Thank you very, very much for all those who have offered information and made a contribution.

I will get a few quotes and take it from there. I dont mind getting my hands dirty so could muck in a bit to save some cash.

I will get the quotes next week and definately let you know what they are.

Cheers

[andymach23]

I've looked into steel sectional garages before. Granted, they are not as easy on the eye as a brick built effort, but they are pretty cheap, easy to self assemble, maintenance free and last very well.

from a random google...

http://www.autobuildltd.co.uk/garages.asp

ETA

These look alright and some prices listed on the site. Looks like 3K could get something decent...

http://www.qualitysteelbuildings.co.uk/

Edited by andymach23 on Friday 25th March 22:40

[TROOPER88]

Hi
Had a builder round yesterday who we saw building a garage locally.

Two quotes, first is for the build and all materials: £18,600

Labour only: £11,000

Does not include garage door or council fee for a drop kerb.

I will get two more quotes and go from there. Our budget is much closer to £15k

[Dontlift]

A Standard single garage would be around 5-7k

so your quote of 18 looks about right

[unpc]

Mine at a similar size is running at between 19-25k as it's joined to the house and has to be piled. Piling alone is 7k. I had loads of quotes too

[steveobes]

Building one at mo, 8m x 4 keep inside to 30sq mts and you dont need building regs,but build garage with cavity ie 2 skins of brick or thermo blocks otherwise it will always feel damp

[TROOPER88]

With regard to building planning consent, I have looked at the Government portal website and it states that as long as you are not taking up more than 50% of your garden and height to the eaves does not exceed 2.5 meters you do not need any planning permission.

I did contact the council a few months ago to make sure access was permitted from the road we plan to use and it is not an issue.

[Prince Jefri]

TROOPER88 said:

Were based in Middlesex.

Where are you based now?

[TROOPER88]

Prince Jefri said:

Where are you based now?

Near Walton on Thames