Planning your garage

Building a garage is always a profitable investment. In addition to offering sheltered parking space for one of more vehicles, a garage will also greatly increase your storage space and can be a great workshop for your do-it-yourself projects.

Get a free plan for a garage as well as the list of required materials for this project. For viewing and printing, you will need to use Acrobat Reader software.
Plan G-10A (pdf 1.5 M)
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Laws and Bylaws
Dimensions
Construction guide
Construction costs
Quotes to secure

Laws and Bylaws

As with any large project, check local building code and permit requirements before beginning work. As a rule, the documents required for building a garage are the construction plans and a plot plan indicating the location or the planned construction project on your land.

Dimensions

Before you get started, you will need to choose the size of your garage according to your needs. A single garage should be at least 20 ft (6.1 m) long, measured from the inside of the front wall to the inside of the back wall and 11 ft 6 in. (3.5 m) wide. The minimum width for a double garage should be 18 ft 3 in. (5.55 m). If you're planning on putting in a workbench or using your garage to store bicycles, tools or firewood, you should build a longer garage.

Construction guide

With plans, municipal permits and a detailed list of the required materials in hand, you're now ready to begin construction of your garage. To help you along, we have prepared two checklists outlining the various steps you should follow to see your project to a successful conclusion.

For a project that includes a garage with a superimposed room or a garage with extension, you should estimate costs ranging between $35 and $40 per square foot for the garage, while the room - bedroom, reading room, etc. - will cost you about $50 per square foot.

Construction costs

  • General costs
    • plan and estimate (consult the Plans Department)
    • construction permits (to be obtained from your municipality)
    • mortgage or loan (if required)

  • Demolition, excavation and back filling
    • demolition, excavation and back filling
    • demolition (trees, fences, etc.)
    • preparation of ground (remove anything that could get in the way during excavation
    • excavation
      • removal of top soil
      • removal of earth

    • filling with gravel and compacting

  • Form setting
    • foundation
      • footing
      • wall (anchoring to foundation wall of house)
      • back filling (preferably with sand)

  • Iron work
    • lintels
    • framing

  • Framing and carpentry
    • lumber (spruce, plywood, etc.)
    • roof trusses (to be ordered in accordance with the plan)
    • installation of asphalt shingles
    • pouring of concrete for garage floor

  • Insulation
    • fibreglass
    • vapour barrier
    • eaves troughs

  • Windows, doors, hardware
    • windows
    • garage door

  • Plumbing, ventilation (optional)

  • Electricity (optional)

  • Exterior siding
    • aluminum, vinyl, treated wood (your preference)

Quotes to secure

  • Excavator
    • ground preparation
    • excavation
    • back filling

  • Form setter

  • Rough carpenter
    • base structure
    • framing
    • roof trusses

  • Shingler

  • Electrician

  • Bricklayer (if required)
    • outside walls

  • Outside wall installer
    • outside walls

  • Outside wall installer (depending on type of siding selected)
    • wood
    • vinyl
    • aluminum

  • Doors and windows manufacturer and installer
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