The Cheapest Way To Build A Garage – Builder Explain

Having a garage is a great investment that every house should have. Since every household today has a car, having a garage is a convenient way to park your car and to have extra room for storage outside the house. While some modern garages can be expensive, there are also ways to build a very cheap one.

Many think that a garage is a complicated project to build, but today, easy construction methods allow you to build it much easier than before. In this article, we’ll talk about the cheapest way to build a garage and how you can do it. So, let’s start.

What Is The Cheapest Way To Build A Garage?

So, What Is The Cheapest Way To Build A Garage? The most cost-effective way to build a garage is by using a pole (post-frame) construction method. Using a post-frame construction method to build a garage it can cost you between $10 to $30 per square foot, compared to other methods where the average cost is between $40 to $70 per square foot.

When determining the most cost-effective garage construction method, start by setting a clear budget. Some individuals might only require a modest space for storing items like mopeds or bicycles, while others may desire a larger area to accommodate a workshop and car parking.

Here are the two most common methods that you can use to build a cheap garage.

Building Method	Cost to Build	Complexity	Quality
1. Pole (post-frame) Garage	$10 to $30 per sqft	Easy	Good
2. Stick-built Garage	$49 per sqft	Medium	Very Good

Below, we will explain which methods are used in building home garages and the best and cheapest ways to build one for your home.

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Building Your Dream Garage

The first thing you need to consider when you build a garage is how much money you are willing to spend. Some people are satisfied with having only storage space for basic things like bicycles, mopeds, etc., while others want a modern garage to park a car and have a workshop. No matter what option you choose, do your homework on how much it can cost you so you don’t get surprised at the end.

So, let’s start with the things you need to know before building your garage.

Things To Know Before Building a Garage

• Plan Your Construction

Pre-planning is the first step you need to take before you decide to build a garage on the cheap. You need to know exactly what materials you will need and what are the measurements of the area where you will build your garage. Nothing will cost you more money than some unexpected situation that was not planned from the very beginning.

Make a detailed plan of exactly what you plan to do (the recommendation is to do a blueprint of a garage). Make a list of all the materials you will need. See where you can find quality materials such as cheap wood, screws, windows, siding, and other needed equipment.

• Find Cheap Labor

When it comes to building a house or garage, the second most expensive part is labor. If you can find someone that you can hire to do a good quality job, and at the same time at an affordable price, that would be great. Since you are building the garage for yourself to save money, try recruiting some of your friends and family to help you during the construction process.

However, remember that these people must have some experience in construction work. You don’t want them to be there just to hang around and distract you from building the garage. Having friends and family during construction is desirable because they will do their best and work hard to help you build your garage. But if you don’t have that option, you’ll need to hire professionals who know what they’re doing.

• Bargain Hunt

What is also recommended before embarking on garage construction is to look for stores that offer great discounts. If you buy everything from a small lumberyard and local store, you can get a cheaper deal on everything and save up to 20% compared to some larger stores.

Although you will have to buy some materials and tools in other big stores because you will not find everything in one place, it pays to save on every discount offered. Your job is to find the best deal for your construction materials and tools. When it comes to equipment, you can find very quality and cheap tools Here on Amazon.

Two Most Used Methods To Build A Cheap Garage

Here, we will present you two of the most used methods to build a cheap garage that will last. These methods are used all over the world and have proven to be very safe and effective.

1. Pole (Post-Frame) Garages

The Pole (post-frame) garages are one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to build a garage. This method is superior to traditional stick-built methods and is considered the cheapest way to build a garage.

A pole building is a method where laminated wood posts are placed to hold out the frame of the garage. This type of construction forms a bare-bones structure, which supports the garage’s load when there is a strong wind or when it snows. The garage is covered with metal panels that are holding the whole construction together.

There are a lot of benefits if you decide to build a pole (post-frame) garage. The first major benefit is that it has a low foundation cost. When building a garage, this is the first real investment that people are required to make, and it makes up about 10-15% of the total cost.

Note! This method does not require to have poured concrete foundation.

Post-frame garages require you to place the posts deep inside the ground for stability (no concrete slab is required). Another great advantage of pole constructions is that they build much faster than stick-built garages. This is because much less material is needed in this construction process, allowing you to build your garage much quicker.

Building storage for a post-frame method is much easier because you don’t need to have load-bearing interior walls. Instead, you have a lot more options, because you have a wide-open space where you can park multiple cars, and store your lawn equipment and tools. Therefore, having these benefits with a pole garage gives you almost endless possibilities.

Here, you can see a great YouTube video where it is shown how to build a post-frame garage.

When it comes to how much this will cost you, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Building a pole (post-frame) garage should cost you anywhere between $10 to $30 per square foot (this refers to the cost of the material). If you decide to hire professionals, the overall cost will be slightly higher.

2. Stick-Built Garage Kit

A Stick-built Garage is a model where the wooden garage is constructed entirely or largely on-site. When using the stick-built construction method, you must have a fully poured concrete foundation. Some people don’t like a pole (post-frame) building method and they opt for a more traditional stick-built approach.

While this is a costlier solution than a post-frame building method, you can buy kits with all the necessary materials to build a garage for a decent fee. Some people will find that buying a kit is not the way they want to build their garage, there are also those who opt for this option. The choice is all yours.

Note! This method does require you to have poured concrete foundation.

For this reason, many people opt for this method because it offers them much more flexibility. Therefore, if you find yourself in a problem during construction, your contractor can easily find a new solution that can be applied.

But the downside when it comes to the stick-built method is that it will cost you significantly more than building a pole (post-frame) garage. The average cost of building a stick-built garage is around $49 per square foot, while the average cost of building a single-car garage is around $7.500 to $14.300, which is much more if we compare it to a pole garage.

What Is The Most Cost-Effective Way To Build A Garage?

For most homeowners planning to DIY their own garage, we recommend a post-frame building method for a couple of reasons:

• The post-frame method has the greatest value over time of the building
• You have the option to choose the design you want
• It’s the most affordable upfront investment (of these two methods)
• A post-frame method requires less people, and it’s easier to build

Now that we have listed all these benefits of the post-frame construction method, you may be wondering, ‘what about stick-build method’? This method is also quite often used to build a garage, but it isn’t a cheap option. Next, we will look at the pros and cons of these two building methods.

2 Popular Ways to Build A Cheap Garage: The Pros and Cons

Having gone through the methods you can use to build your garage and are still unsure which one to choose, let’s look at these two popular methods and see their pros and cons.

1) Pole (Post-Frame) Construction

Pole (post-frame) construction is a popular building method seen on pole barns everywhere. One of the advantages that this post-frame method is best known for is its fast installation process, cost-effectiveness, and exceptional durability. Let’s take a look at its pros and cons.

Pros: 

• It is a very affordable building method
• Possibility to choose size, features, design, and more
• Own a choice of materials that you trust to support your garage
• Fast and safe construction that is designed to last

Cons: 

• You’ll need to put together the building design
• Need to source your own materials

2) Stick-Built Garage

A stick-built garage method is used if you plan to build a garage that matches your home. However, it is a more complicated and expensive method than post-frame construction.

Pros: 

• You can easily match the design of your garage to your home
• Good quality construction and durable building option

Cons: 

• A little bit costlier building method than the post-frame method
• If you opt to build an attached garage, you’ll need a contractor
• You will need more materials than for the post-frame method
• Construction will take longer and may require more people

Now that we have seen all the pros and cons of these methods, we can say that the pole (post-frame) construction method is the most affordable way for your DIY project of building a garage. I can say that a traditional stick-built method is an option, but most DIY homeowners will agree that this is the lengthiest and most costly choice.

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FAQ: People Also Ask

Final Thoughts

After reading this article, I hope that you now have a much better understanding of how much it will cost you to build your own garage. Your garage’s size, design, and material will determine how much it will cost you. If you have a tight budget, you must fit into those options.

There is also an option to use cheaper timber frames instead of concrete. Whatever you decide, you need to make a detailed plan before getting down to business to know exactly what awaits you and how much it will cost you. I hope this article helped you, and if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us.