How much does it cost to build a new garage in Australia?

WORDS: Joanna Jefferies

Building a new garage is not only good for protecting your car, but it can also provide loads of storage, a workshop, space for a home gym or a laundry. New garages come with a price tag of as little as $30,000 and at the high end can push the $100,000 mark. You will need a building permit to build a garage and consent costs will vary across States. There is a vast range of add-ons you can make to a standard new garage and so we’ve explored what a basic, mid-range and high-end budget can offer.

Garage on a basic budget $40,0000 to $50,000

A standard garage size is 3.5 metres by six metres, which is called a single ‘bay’. For a basic budget, you’re looking at a standalone garage, rather than one connected to your home, which would require more extensive engineering, design and consents. Refresh Melbourne consultant Paul Cree says for a single garage your price range will be $30,000 to $40,000 which includes “brick walls, metal roof, no internal linings for finishes, a manual door [and on a] concrete slab”.
Regardless of the size, it’s important to consider what your garage will be used for. If you are going to park your car in it, consider how big your car is. Big Aussie cars can be as long as 5.5metres and as wide as 1.9metres and while they will fit in a single garage there won’t be much room for anything else.

Garage on a mid-range budget $55,000 - $75,000

Paul says in the mid-range you can expect a “double garage, brick walls, tiled roof, sealed concrete floor, workbench and storage”. As per a single garage, you can cost out a double garage (two bays) by the square metre (7 x 6 metres). You would include an automated sectional door, which is a step up from a roller door. You may want to line your walls with plasterboard or plywood for a more ‘upscale’ finish.
In this price range, you might also include a single garage that is connected to the house. If you are building a garage that is connected you’ll want to consider potential future uses or alternative uses of the space, for example, if you oversize the garage it could be used for a children’s playroom, or if you raise the roof pitch, it could be suitable for extra bedrooms down the track.

You may want to line walls to upscale the look of your garage and this can be done easily with plasterboard or for a more utilitarian look, with structural plywood.

Garage on a high-end budget $75,000+

A high-end garage is likely to be three or more car spaces and can have multiple use spaces. Paul says at this level walls will be lined and downlighting installed, and you may want to include a “tiled roof or balcony above, polished concrete floor, workbench with custom cabinetry for storage, games area, audio system and reverse cycle air conditioning” – basically your options are limitless.
In a high-end space, you’ll want to be connected to utilities, both water and power, and you may want to include a bathroom.
To upscale the look of your garage, carpet is an excellent option. Carpet specifically designed for garages is essential and there is a choice of colours across different brands, but nowhere near the same variety as household carpet. Dark colours are the most popular – and practical – due to dirt tracks or oil leaks. The beauty of garage (polypropylene) carpet is that it can be vacuumed for regular maintenance or hosed down if there’s a mess. Garage carpet costs around $70 per lineal metre.

It’s glued directly to concrete and won’t adhere to painted surfaces, so if your garage floor is painted the paint will need to be sanded off.
Another option for a high-end garage on a tight site is a vehicle turntable. These are typically 4m – 5.5m in diameter (for one or two vehicles) and can be installed inside the garage if needed. The turntable is constructed on a level, reinforced concrete pad 100mm below the finished driveway level and is operated by remote control from within the vehicle. As a guide, a single turntable will cost around $20,000.

Every high-end garage will need excellent storage options that are designed for garage storage - places to mount bikes, custom tool storage and bespoke workshop systems, so make sure you leave enough space so that when your cars are in there you have space to move and access storage.
Lastly, don’t forget access for all your toys – if you have an oversized boat, for example, you’ll need to customise a tall entrance to your garage with a bespoke garage door.

Get in touch with Refresh to discuss your garage conversion.

For more information on how you can achieve a basic, mid-range or high-end looking garage, contact your local Refresh Renovation expert today!
*Costs are rough estimates and are subject to change. For a fixed-quote accurate to your specific project, please consult your local Refresh Renovations specialist. All Refresh Renovations franchises are independently owned and operated.
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