A Complete Guide: How to Build a Garage from Scratch Step by Step

If you're worried about your vehicle being damaged by rain, snow, hurricanes, or other extreme weather, if you have a lot of things and no place to store them, or if you want to increase the value of your home, building a garage is a great option.

This article will explain in detail how to build a garage from scratch at a low cost. If you're ready, keep reading!

Factors to Consider before Building a Garage

Building a garage is not a small task. Before you start, you need a detailed plan and make sure to list everything you need to consider. Here are a few things to think about to ensure your project goes smoothly:

Placement

First, you need to decide where to place your garage. Do you want a detached garage or one that is connected to your house? A detached garage needs to be a certain distance from your home and will usually cost less. On the other hand, a connected garage allows you to enter your house directly from the garage, making it more convenient, but it will cost more. Additionally, if you choose a connected garage, you need to consider the overall style of your home. It shouldn't look out of place, but a well-designed attached garage can increase your home's value.

Size 

The size of your garage depends on how many vehicles you have and the available land space. You also need to think about whether you want to use the garage for storage or other purposes, in addition to parking your vehicles. Once you have thought about these things, you can plan the size of your garage. For example:

• One car: at least 12 feet wide and 20 feet long.
• Two cars: at least 20 feet wide and 20 feet long.
• Three or more cars: at least 30 feet wide and 20 feet long.

Note: If your garage will also be used for other purposes, like a storage room, workshop, or game room, you will need to make more space when planning your garage.

Permits and Zoning Laws

Before building your garage, you need to check local laws and regulations and get a building permit. You also need to understand the local electrical codes. Make sure your garage follows all rules, including garage door size, materials, and electrical wiring, to ensure it meets the

Cost

Before building your garage, you need to set a budget. This will determine the materials, structure, and design of your garage. All your decisions later on should align with your budget. The cost of building a garage depends on the materials and contractors. Generally, a single-car garage costs between $10,000 and $30,000, while a double-car garage costs between $15,000 and $50,000, or even more.

DIY vs. Hiring Contractors

First, you need to decide if you want to build your garage yourself or hire a contractor. These are two very different options. If you choose to DIY, it may take a lot of time and effort to do everything. Also, if you're not a professional, there could be safety risks. So, I suggest outsourcing some tasks, like laying the foundation. When looking for subcontractors, it's a good idea to consult with several contractors to discuss prices, plans, and more. You should also consider their experience and reputation. Choosing a well-established company can help ensure the quality of your garage.

Drawing Design

Before starting the construction, you need a complete design plan. You can find a basic design online and add the elements you need, like electrical wiring, doors, windows, roof, columns, cabinets, etc. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to design the plan for you.

Tools and Materials

Before you start, you need to make a list of the tools and materials you'll need for building the garage. The main tools you'll likely need include a nail gun, compressor, cordless drill, saw, tape measure, level, wrench, hammer, ladder, and more. You should also create a detailed list of materials. You can usually find material lists online, or you can visit a local hardware store, where they may provide a standard list of materials for garage construction.

In short, a complete and detailed plan will help you build your garage more efficiently. Of course, if you're worried about any issues with your plan, you can consider consulting an architect or engineer to help design and draw up your garage plans.

Prepare the Construction Site

Once you have your garage building plan ready, you can start the work. First, prepare the construction site by clearing away any obstacles in the area where you'll be working. Then, mark out the garage area. If possible, put up a fence around the construction zone to avoid affecting others.

Build a Strong Foundation

Before building the garage, you need to "lay the foundation" to make it more stable. Typically, we pour a concrete slab as the garage foundation. It's best to hire a professional contractor for this job. The steps include: foundation, concrete walls, backfilling, and flooring.

Note: The poured concrete slab may take up to a week to fully cure. You should plan for clear weather and allow enough time for the foundation to set.

Frame the Garage

Once the foundation is complete, you can start building the garage frame. The most common materials for building a garage are wood, steel, brick, and concrete. Choose the right materials for the overall frame and support columns, then fill in with insulation. For the specific framing technique, you can choose the best structure based on your needs and the advice of your subcontractors.

Assemble the Walls

Once the garage frame is built, you can start constructing the walls. Leave a vertical column every 16 inches. When building the walls, make sure to leave space for doors and windows. You can also install window sills, lintels, and door headers to make it easier to install doors and windows later. When building the walls, you need to consider local laws, regulations, and environmental factors. For example, if the weather is cold, use materials with good insulation. If the area is damp, choose materials that are resistant to corrosion and moisture.

Build the Roof

Once the frame and walls are in place, you can start installing the garage roof. First, install the ceiling beams, cross beams, and rafters. Then, lay a waterproof membrane on the top of the walls. After that, install the roofing materials, starting from the eaves and working upwards. This includes the roof panels, wind and rain-resistant materials, and shingles.

Alternatively, you can pre-assemble the roof structure on the ground and then use a crane to lift it onto the garage roof. After that, install the roofing materials and shingles.

Add the Siding and Exterior Finishing

The exterior of the garage is finished by installing the outer wall sheathing and siding. The sheathing is usually made of plywood or OSB boards, covered with house wrap. For the siding, you can choose materials like vinyl, wood, or metal. If your garage is attached to your house, it's best to use siding that matches your home's. Finally, seal all the openings with caulk.

Install Access Doors and Windows

Install the maintenance door and windows where you have left space for the door and window headers. Follow the installation instructions for the doors and windows you purchased, step by step. Use a level to make sure the doors and windows are both level and vertical. After installation, test them to make sure they open and close properly, and that the locks work. Ensure everything is secure and sealed.

Install the Garage Door

The garage door is very important for your garage. You need to open and close it every time you enter or leave, so it gets a lot of use. A good sectional garage door provides safety, insulation, and protection against wind and cold. Common types of garage doors include steel, aluminum, and aluminum-glass doors, with steel doors being the most widely used.Steel garage doors require almost no garage door prevention and maintenance.

The installation steps for a automatic garage door should be followed exactly according to the Xufeng Garage Door installation instructions. Here are the steps:

Step 1 Prepare the Opening Space

Preparing the opening space, check headroom, backroom and side room needed.

Step 2 Assemble the Vertical Tracks

Assemble the vertical track and flag bracket

Step 3 Assemble the Horizontal Tracks

Assemble the horizontal track and connect to the Curve track. 

Step 4 Assemble Torsion Spring System

Splice the tubular shaft, the shaft coupler, the garage door spring, etc. 

Step 5 Install Door Panel

Take the panel with the seal as the bottom panel, install all door panels one by one.

Step 6 Tighten the Torsion Spring

Tighten the torsion spring by turning the winding cone toward the ceiling.

Step 7 Fix the Steel Cables

Hang the steel cable on the bottom bracket, and then drop behind the side hinges up to the cable drum. 

Step 8 Install Lock and Handle

The bolt lock should be installed to the left or right vertical track.

Step 9 Install Seals

Install the side seals.

Step 10 Check the Sectional Garage Door

After the garage door is installed, check whether it is operating normally.

Plumbing and Electrical Work

Once all the doors, windows, and the garage door are installed, you can begin the interior finishing. Follow your design plans to install plumbing and electrical wiring. For safety, it’s best to have professionals handle these installations.

Check the Garage

After building your garage, carefully check everything, including the electrical wiring, sealing, ventilation, and waterproofing. It's best to have a professional inspect it before you start using the garage.

Conclusion

In short, building a garage from scratch is not an easy task, but when you finish, you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

As long as you plan and prepare properly, having a beautiful, valuable, and affordable garage and garage door is not difficult. When designing, remember to prioritize functionality, durability, and safety.

Xufeng Door wishes you the best of luck with your garage building project!

FAQ

Is it cheaper to build or buy a garage?

The cost of building a garage depends on the materials and contractor you choose. Generally, a single-car garage costs between $10,000 and $30,000, while a double-car garage costs between $15,000 and $50,000, or even more. The cost of buying a garage depends on the design and materials, but it's usually cheaper than building one, with prices ranging from $4,000 to $15,000. So, building a garage is more expensive, but it offers more customization options and features than buying one.

Which garage construction is the cheapest?

Column construction is one of the simplest and most economical ways to build a garage.

Can you build a garage by yourself?

If you have a good plan, permits, proper design, and equipment, building a garage yourself is possible. However, it can be time-consuming and tiring, and safety might not be guaranteed. For more technical steps, it's best to leave them to professionals.

What Value Does a Garage Add to a Home?

Typically a single garage can add 5-10% to the value of your property, and a double garage can add up to 20%.