We are currently looking for an excavation contractor for our house with a slab foundation and want to have the garage prepared at the same time. The garage will be built later because the funds simply won’t be available right now.
At first, I thought it would be enough to just cover the garage area with gravel. However, I have now read that there are different types of foundations depending on the manufacturer, and I’m not sure what the best preparation would be.
The garage is planned to be 4.3m x 6m (14 ft x 20 ft), but we haven’t decided on a manufacturer yet. It should fit one car, two bicycles, and a small electrical distribution box.
Can I just have a strip foundation installed now and it will work later, or is it only proper to prepare the foundation once I know exactly which garage will be purchased?
The same applies to the carport, which will be on the other side of the house but is planned to be built somewhat earlier. We want to build it once the house is finished and we have more clarity on the finances. Again, nothing specific has been chosen yet, but it will be aluminum. Maybe we should already decide on one and prepare the base accordingly?
At first, I thought it would be enough to just cover the garage area with gravel. However, I have now read that there are different types of foundations depending on the manufacturer, and I’m not sure what the best preparation would be.
The garage is planned to be 4.3m x 6m (14 ft x 20 ft), but we haven’t decided on a manufacturer yet. It should fit one car, two bicycles, and a small electrical distribution box.
Can I just have a strip foundation installed now and it will work later, or is it only proper to prepare the foundation once I know exactly which garage will be purchased?
The same applies to the carport, which will be on the other side of the house but is planned to be built somewhat earlier. We want to build it once the house is finished and we have more clarity on the finances. Again, nothing specific has been chosen yet, but it will be aluminum. Maybe we should already decide on one and prepare the base accordingly?
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Bierwächter14 Jul 2025 23:53We are increasingly leaning toward the Hoffmann Bims garage. Requesting the foundation plan is a great idea—I think that's how we'll proceed.
Drainage is already noted, and I will have it installed as much as possible.
A 100mm (4 inches) empty conduit to the garage is already planned. The cables will be installed later as a DIY task.
Thanks for the responses.
Drainage is already noted, and I will have it installed as much as possible.
A 100mm (4 inches) empty conduit to the garage is already planned. The cables will be installed later as a DIY task.
Thanks for the responses.
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wiltshire15 Jul 2025 18:25We experienced this situation ourselves and so did our neighbors in the terraced housing development we moved into in 2001. First, gravel was laid, and later the garage was delivered, which worked perfectly, even directly attached to the house. The garage supplier took care of the foundations. Before that, there was simply gravel.
Based on this experience, I would not do anything initially.
Based on this experience, I would not do anything initially.
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Bierwächter17 Jul 2025 20:26wiltshire schrieb:
The garage supplier installed the foundations. Before that, there was just gravel.
Based on this experience, I wouldn’t do anything yet. I think we probably have to do it that way too. I would have liked to at least have the gravel laid to the correct height.
Today, we received the quote from Hoffmann Garage. It was a similar shock to our first earthworks quote (€40,000). A 4.3m (14 ft) x 6m (20 ft) single garage with a door and window is €32,000. I will definitely look elsewhere first since that is outrageously expensive. We will leave out the window anyway, but that’s only about €500.
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wiltshire17 Jul 2025 20:58Bierwächter schrieb:
4.3m x 6m (14ft x 20ft) single garage with door and window €32,000. I will definitely look elsewhere first, that is outrageously expensive.I haven’t bought one in a long time, but that also sounds too expensive to me. From a technical standpoint, modern cars no longer need the protection of a garage. Bikes, grills, garden tools, and similar items don’t require such an expensive enclosure; there are other ways to store them.
If you have a special automotive treasure, of course, that’s a different matter.
Someone nearby is selling used prefabricated garages. I saw how someone simply covered one with weathered battens for a modern look.
Basically, I prefer carports with storage rooms, both in terms of appearance and cost. They offer much more flexibility for personal customization, often with relatively low expenses while still looking stylish.
Basically, I prefer carports with storage rooms, both in terms of appearance and cost. They offer much more flexibility for personal customization, often with relatively low expenses while still looking stylish.
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