2 November 2023 · Sharon Winson
What is the cheapest way to build a double garage?
Concrete sectional, brick, block or timber? We compare all four ways to build a double garage — honestly, pros and cons — to find the cheapest that lasts.
The cheapest way to build a double garage is almost always a concrete sectional building. Factory-made panels are delivered and assembled on your base in around a day, cutting out the weeks of on-site labour that make brick and block builds expensive — and the finished garage needs next to no maintenance for decades.
Why is a concrete sectional double garage the cheapest?
With a concrete sectional double garage, the expensive part of construction — building the walls — happens in a factory, not in your garden. Nucrete casts the panels in our Bradford factory, delivers them, and our own teams bolt the building together on your prepared base, typically in around a day. You pay for hours of installation rather than weeks of bricklaying.
The trade-offs are honest ones. Bare concrete panels are plainer than brick, though brick-effect fronts and uPVC fascias close most of the gap. And like any unheated outbuilding, a concrete garage can suffer condensation without ventilation or insulation. Neither changes the economics: for a permanent double garage, concrete sectional is the value option, and every Nucrete price includes VAT, delivery and installation.
How much more does a brick double garage cost?
A brick double garage is the most expensive route. It's built by hand on site, so you're paying for skilled labour over an extended build, plus scaffolding and weather delays. What you get in return is the classic matched-to-your-house look and real durability — though even brick needs occasional repointing over its life. If the budget question matters enough that you're reading this, brick is rarely the answer.
Is a block-built double garage a good middle ground?
Concrete block construction costs less than brick because blocks are bigger and faster to lay, and the walls offer good thermal mass and longevity. But bare blockwork isn't a finished look — most block garages need rendering or cladding, which adds the cost back. It still involves a full on-site build, so it doesn't get close to a sectional building on price or speed.
Are timber double garages cheap?
Timber double garages vary enormously with the quality of the wood — a cheap softwood building and a heavy oak frame are different products at different prices. Timber looks natural and is easy to modify later, but it demands regular treatment and won't match concrete or brick for lifespan. Factor maintenance into the true cost before calling a timber building cheap.
What should you decide before you build?
Two things. First, how the space will actually be used — cars, workshop, storage, or some mix — because that decides the size and doors you need, and going slightly bigger now is far cheaper than replacing an undersized garage later. Second, whether your site needs planning permission; most don't, but our guide to planning permission for concrete garages covers the exceptions. For the numbers themselves, our concrete garage prices page gives exact double garage prices for your postcode area — VAT, delivery and installation included. And for a breakdown of everything that goes into the build, see how much it costs to build a double garage.
What is the cheapest double garage that will last?
A concrete sectional double garage. The panels are factory-made and installed in around a day, the building needs minimal maintenance, and every Nucrete garage carries a 10-year structural guarantee.
Can a concrete double garage look like brick?
Yes. Brick-effect fronts and uPVC fascias are available across the Nucrete range, so the garage blends with your house without the cost of a full brick build.
How quickly can a concrete sectional double garage be built?
On a prepared base, most double garages are installed in around a day by Nucrete's own installation teams.
Do concrete garages get condensation?
Any unheated outbuilding can. Good ventilation prevents most of it, and insulation options are available if you plan to spend time working in the garage.
Do I need planning permission for a double garage?
Usually not — most garages under 30 square metres that sit behind the front of the house fall under permitted development. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the main exceptions, so check first if either applies.