20 July 2004 · Sharon Winson
Planning your sectional building: the basics
Before your sectional garage or building goes up, four things deserve ten minutes each: neighbours, design, security and lighting. Here's the checklist.
Before a sectional building goes up, four things are worth settling: tell your neighbours, plan how the building will look and sit on the plot, think about security, and position any lighting considerately. None of them takes long, and together they prevent almost every problem we've seen a new garage cause in over 45 years of installing them.
Should you tell your neighbours before building a garage?
Yes — even when no permission is needed. Most sectional garages fall under permitted development (our guide to planning permission for concrete garages covers the exceptions), so legally you may owe the neighbours nothing. Practically, a two-minute conversation over the fence before the delivery lorry arrives keeps goodwill and heads off disputes about boundaries, light and views. Long-standing government planning guidance says the same thing, and it's advice we repeat to every customer.
How should you plan the design and position?
Think about how the finished building will look from the house, the street and next door — not just whether it fits. A garage that suits the property helps when you sell; one that fights it does the opposite. Choose the roof style and finish with the house in mind (brick-effect fronts and uPVC fascias help a concrete building blend in), mark the footprint out with pegs and string before committing, and leave sensible access around the building for maintenance and gutters.
Does a new garage create any security risks?
It can, in a way people rarely consider: a flat or pent roof placed under a first-floor window can become a climbing aid, and any new building creates a hidden corner of the garden. Position the building away from upstairs windows where you can, fit a good lock — and treat the garage as part of your home security, because it will soon hold bikes and tools worth stealing. Your local police force's crime prevention officer will give free advice specific to your property.
What about outside lighting?
A light on or near the garage is worth having — it makes the building usable on winter evenings and deters thieves. Domestic light fittings don't normally need any planning consent, but position and angle them so they light your path and door rather than a neighbour's bedroom window. A downward-angled fitting or a motion sensor usually keeps everyone happy.
Get these four settled and the rest is straightforward: a level concrete base (our base laying service can handle it), delivery, and installation by our own teams — most standard buildings go up in around a day. If anything about your site is unusual, ask us; we supply around 1,100 buildings a year and we've almost certainly seen your situation before.
Do I need planning permission for a sectional building?
Usually not — most garages and sectional buildings under 30 square metres, sited behind the front of the house and within height limits, fall under permitted development. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the main exceptions.
Do I have to tell my neighbours about a new garage?
There's no legal duty when permitted development applies, but telling them before work starts is strongly recommended — it prevents most boundary and light disputes before they begin.
What preparation does the site need?
A sound, level concrete base slightly larger than the building, with clear access for delivery and installation. Nucrete can lay the base as part of the job.
How long does installation take?
Most standard sectional buildings are installed in around a day on a prepared base, by Nucrete's own installation teams.