New Garage Building - Considerations and Planning
Within the Sheffield and Rotherham areas it seems that people who park their cars on street have seen increases in vandalism and theft. This has prompted a lot of people to consider the option of having a garage built to protect their vehicle. There are a number of considerations that you need to make before starting your new garage project. You need to research it to find out how much space you have and if you have the required access. You need to investiate the costs involved, wether you have the necessary skills or wether you should bring in a builder to build your new garage.
Realistically you can get your garage built one of two ways. Your first option is to buy a pre-fabricated garage from one of the many suppliers throughout the UK. The other option available to you is to hire a garage builder to build one for you from the ground up.
If you prefer to purchase one of the pre-fabricated garages on the market,
you should obviously shop around for the most competetive quotes. You will need to decide on the type of garage you want and provide the retailer with accurate measurements so they can supply a building that will meet your requirements. In all cases a suitable concrete base will be required for the garage to stand on.
The bespoke option when thinking about a garage is to get a builder to build one for you. Within the UK this option is usually slightly more expensive than the pre-fabricated option but you do get the garage exactly as you want it, build to your own specification
It is important to find a garage builder that comes with good references to that you can be sure that you are going to get a good job. An great way to find good tradesmen is to ask your friends and neighbours to recommend someone they might have used in the past and what the costs were so that you know what to expect.
The cost of building your garage will vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as the style selected, that materials uses and wether planning permission is required or not. Also there are options such as electric and even plumbing in some cases which could potentially add to the cost.
Make sure you always shop around with different suppliers to ensure you're getting the best price. If you're using a reputable builder make sure to get a quote in writing before they commence work and the cost should not rise above this.
Will I need planning permission if I add a garage or carport to my property?
For already constructed garages which you buy ready-made, the law defines them as pre-cast concrete sectional garages and states that in the majority of cases you do not need planning permission, as they are deemed temporary structures. However, that need not necessarily apply to your specific building, so to be on the safe side contact your local authority planning office to discuss if you require planning or not.
Your local council will be able to tell you if your garage project will require planning permission and they should be able to advise you of any planning and building control costs.
In summary, you should do your research. Take accurate measurements and confirm with the council before undertaking any building work. Once you have decided what you require, either shop around for the best priced pre-fabricated buildings or find a recommended local builder who will deliver your garage project at a reasonable price.
