Complete Guide to Building a Garage
- coraliefortin076
- Jul 1
- 5 min read
Building a garage is both a functional and strategic project. It provides better protection for vehicles, increases storage space, and enhances property value. Whether it's for parking your car, installing a workshop, or creating a multipurpose space, building a garage requires careful planning. At Plan Maison Québec, we understand the importance of a well-designed plan that complies with current standards, meets your specific needs, and integrates seamlessly into your residential environment.
This guide takes you step by step through the process of completing your garage project, from the initial planning to the final finishing touches, including municipal regulations, cost estimates, and project coordination.
Assess your needs before starting
Before starting construction on a garage, it's essential to clearly identify your needs. A garage can be designed to:
accommodate one or more vehicles
be attached to the house or completely detached
heated or unheated
with or without a second floor
The choice depends on your lifestyle, the space available on your property, your budget, and the intended use of the space.
Some people simply want winter shelter for their vehicle, while others want a hybrid space that can serve as a workshop, recreation room, or even a home office. At Plan Maison Québec, we help you define these priorities to create a garage plan perfectly suited to your needs.
Choosing the type of garage
The garage's layout is crucial. An attached garage is often preferred for its direct access to the house, which is very practical in winter. It also offers some cost savings, as it can share part of the structure or foundation of the existing house. Conversely, a detached garage offers greater flexibility, both in terms of location and size, and sometimes allows for the avoidance of major renovations to the house.
A single garage is suitable for homeowners looking for a functional, low-cost solution, while a double garage is more suited to families or people with multiple vehicles or equipment to store. Plan Maison Québec designs all these types of garages, taking into account your aesthetic preferences, the constraints of the site, and current municipal bylaws.
Obtaining building permits
Like any construction project in Quebec, a garage requires a building permit issued by your municipality. This administrative step is mandatory and crucial. It involves submitting several documents, including detailed plans for the garage, a site plan, and compliance with local planning standards.
These standards may vary from one municipality to another, particularly with regard to setbacks, maximum height, authorized surface area, and the types of materials accepted. At Plan Maison Québec, we assist you with all these administrative procedures, ensuring that your application is complete, compliant, and approved quickly.
Prepare the ground and pour the foundations
Once the permits have been obtained, the first step on the construction site is to prepare the ground. This includes excavation, leveling the ground, and sometimes backfilling. These operations ensure the stability of the future construction and help prevent problems with infiltration or soil movement. Next comes the pouring of the foundations. For a residential garage, a concrete slab is often chosen.
This solution is simple, economical, and effective, especially if you're considering a heating system integrated into the slab. The cost of this slab can vary depending on the surface area, but it averages between $27 and $30 per square foot. At Plan Maison Québec, we advise you on the most appropriate type of foundation based on your soil and how you plan to use your garage.
Build the garage structure
Once the ground is ready and the foundations poured, construction of the structure can begin. This phase includes raising the walls, installing the roof frame, and installing the exterior cladding. The choice of materials plays an important role in both aesthetics and the durability of the structure.
Wood is widely used in Quebec due to its flexibility and natural insulation properties, but options such as vinyl, steel, or brick are also available depending on your budget and preferences. Each material has its advantages, whether in terms of strength, cost, maintenance, or appearance. At Plan Maison Québec, we ensure the garage structure is aligned with the architectural style of your home for a cohesive and professional finish.
Install essential systems
A garage can be a simple shelter or a living space in its own right. In the latter case, it is essential to integrate mechanical systems such as:
electricity
heating
plumbing.
The electrical system includes lighting, wall outlets, and often a motorized garage door.
If you want a heated garage, radiant heating integrated into the slab is particularly popular in Quebec because it ensures even heat distribution. This type of heating represents an investment, but it is very effective, especially for garages used year-round. In the case of a habitable garage or one equipped with a workshop space, adding a water point or sink may also be appropriate.
Finalize with interior and exterior finishes
The finishing touches are the final step of the project, but they're far from secondary. Good thermal insulation helps maintain a stable temperature inside while reducing energy consumption. Insulation materials must be chosen based on the garage's intended use and installed in compliance with current standards. Once the insulation is installed, the walls can be covered with drywall, wood panels, or another decorative material.
The ceiling can also be designed to provide overhead storage. The floor can be treated with epoxy paint for greater durability and easier maintenance. Outside, the choice of siding and the installation of doors and windows complete the aesthetic and functional appearance of your garage. Plan Maison Québec offers plans that already incorporate these elements so you can have a complete vision of the project from the start.
Realistic cost estimation
Budget is a determining factor in a garage construction project. It varies depending on the size, type of structure, materials chosen, and design complexity. On average, a 12-by-20-foot single garage costs between $37,000 and $55,000 for rough construction, while a turnkey version can cost up to $72,000. For a 22-by-20-foot double garage, prices range from $87,000 to $132,000, depending on the finishes and added equipment.
These amounts generally include the foundation, structure, basic electrical work, and standard finishes. At Plan Maison Québec, we establish accurate estimates from the design stage, in collaboration with our construction partners, to avoid any surprises during construction.
Understanding municipal regulations
Building a garage is not something to be done blindly. Each municipality in Quebec imposes specific building regulations, particularly regarding the distances to be respected between buildings and the property lines, the maximum authorized height, and permitted uses. Generally, a garage must be located at least one to two meters from the side line of your property, and several meters from the street.
Furthermore, some municipalities prohibit the addition of a habitable floor above a detached garage. Thanks to its in-depth knowledge of local requirements, Plan Maison Québec ensures that all plans comply with current regulations, which speeds up the permit process and secures your investment.
Conclusion: Make your garage project a reality with Plan Maison Québec
Building a garage is a complex process that requires technical knowledge, detailed planning, and strict compliance with municipal regulations. It's not just a matter of design or materials, but also of harmonious integration into your environment and legal compliance. At Plan Maison Québec, we put our expertise at your service to design a garage plan that meets your expectations, while respecting your budget and your municipality's constraints.
Whether you want a single, double, attached, or detached garage, with or without heating, our team is here to guide you. By working with Plan Maison Québec, you benefit from precise, personalized plans designed in compliance with Quebec standards.
Do you have a garage project in mind?
Comments