Double garage for old building - consideration of options / variants

Hello everyone,

we would like to build a double garage on our property behind the house. We have already researched various types of garages on the internet (especially precast concrete garages and plastered steel garages).

The location is particularly problematic for precast concrete garages. The driveway to the garage is about 3 meters wide to reach the planned installation site behind the house. This practically means that a truck with the prefab garage will probably not be able to drive up the driveway. However, this has not been finally clarified yet. Inquiries (including to Rekers and Zapf) are still ongoing.

It is especially important to us that our two cars can be parked safely. The garage should be as dry as possible, and electricity should also be installed. Among other things, an older collector's car is to be parked in the garage ;) Of course, the garage should be as durable as possible.

We have set our sights on the company GEWA for the plastered steel garages. But with this type of garage, you often read about moisture problems on the internet. We are still unsure whether this is a good long-term solution. Certainly advantageous would be that assembly at the desired installation site would be hassle-free, as the garage is delivered in individual parts or modules.

Another option would certainly be to build the garage with masonry, which, according to various websites, is the most expensive option. Is that really the case? How should we proceed with this option? Is a drawing from an architect absolutely necessary? Or is this only recommended if a building permit is required?

Regarding the building permit, we have already informed ourselves. We were given the following information:

Garages and covered parking spaces (carports)
- up to 50 m² floor area (including roof overhang)
- up to an average wall height of 3.20 m or
4 m ridge height

Note: According to the garage regulation, a parking space of at least 2.50 m width and 5 m length must be present in front of garages. Exceptions are only allowed in coordination with the building supervision authority.

We will probably not exceed 50 m² floor area...

We would be very happy to receive opinions/tips/experiences. At the moment, we are still absolutely unsure which type of garage is best suited and, above all, feasible. Thank you in advance.

Best regards
Ebi

You are doing yourself a huge favor if you illustrate your words meaningfully. By the way, I read in your profile that you come from RLP. There is the Bimsfertigbau Hoffmann (in Neuwied-Heimbach), they make prefabricated garages built on site from pumice slabs, even bordering on non-right-angled property corners. I know several examples, all of which are still in perfect condition even after five decades.

Is a drawing from an architect strictly necessary? Or is it only recommended if a building permit is required?

- up to 50 m² floor area (including roof overhang)
- up to an average wall height of 3.20 m or
4 m ridge height
We probably won't exceed 50 m² floor area...

Hello Ebi

Bigger is better!
In case you do exceed the 50 m²: Applying for a building permit is not that hard at all. You don’t have to be an architect for that.
And for that size, I would have the masonry done or do it myself. If you take responsibility yourself and get one or two masons to help, it will certainly stay under 5,000 euros. Putting in some electricity is not a big deal.
Oh yes: Remember to think about ventilation.

Steven

Hello everyone,

Thank you already for your feedback and the first tips. Please excuse the late response.

I have added a (non-professional) sketch and attached a few photos to show the basic conditions. I have already contacted the company Hoffmann Garagen for both a large space garage and a double garage. The price range (including electric gate, a side door, and the electrical package) is between 32 - 35 TEUR.

A galvanized steel garage, which would also be plastered, is about 20 TEUR for similar dimensions (6.50 x 6.50). However, we definitely tend towards something robust and durable and would certainly feel better with a concrete or pumice garage. Setting up a precast concrete garage (e.g., from Rekers Beton or Zapf) will probably be difficult since no truck could drive up the access road (3 m wide) to the planned parking space.

From my research on the internet, brick garages are much more expensive than precast concrete garages, or have I overlooked something? The question regarding masonry is also whether a bricklayer can simply build a garage in our desired dimensions without architectural plans? Or do I have a wrong idea here?

How do you estimate the garage costs? Are the above prices within range? Would we be better off cost-wise with masonry?

Thanks for your help!

Regards
ebi

I once added a (layman's) sketch along with a few photos to illustrate the basic conditions.

It frightens me that you yourself haven't even noticed that in your thought experiments you apparently completely ignore the terrain conditions. In my opinion, the photo series clearly shows that every garage here would be a crazy idea. So rather do not tear down the carport; you won't get anything better here.

What are you trying to tell me with that? In what way would the terrain be a problem? In terms of the slope?