ᐅ Precast Concrete Garage, Garage Made from Lightweight Concrete Blocks – Experiences?

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a provider for my future garage.

I would like to build the garage as a detached structure next to our house and preferably have everything handled by a single company. Ideally, the garage should have external dimensions of 3.5 x 7m (11.5 x 23 feet). Since I plan to store my tools, my Vespa, and my classic car inside, the garage should offer as good an indoor climate as possible.

I have requested quotes from Rekers, Zapf, Hoffmann, Concept Beton, and others. I have also tried to find an affordable offer for a solid masonry build.

Currently, my budget is between €17,000 and €18,000. I would like to spend less if possible, but that seems difficult. I have spent several days researching different providers and weighing the pros and cons of precast concrete garages and other options.

Hoffmann appears to meet all my requirements. The 3.5 x 7m size fits well within my budget, but only with standard door, standard window, and standard garage door. I am willing to accept this compromise. They offer a garage made of pumice concrete with a complete floor slab. I would upgrade the electrical package and motorized door opener at a later time. I really need to stick to my budget.

With Zapf, I could get a garage of the same size for €3,500 less. This would include a sectional door, standard door and window, motorized opener, and electrical package. However, I have read many negative reports about indoor climate issues, cracking, and similar problems.

Is this still the case? Most of the complaints I found are older. Many customers report problems and difficulties with claims and defects.

Has anyone had experience with Hoffmann?

MarkusHell schrieb:

Has anyone had experience with Hoffmann?

You can find my posts about Hoffmann garages, for example from a few days ago https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/breite-garage-carport-buendig-am-haus-mit-anbau-fertiggaragen.43217/#post-571406, most quickly by searching the forum with the keyword "Bimsfertigbau".

I come from the area near Hoffmann and know many Hoffmann garages well, including some very close from direct neighbors. I also own one myself, among others, a (masonry) Bims garage. In this region, there are also AGO (steel, no longer building garages), Rasselstein (concrete modular units, also no longer active), and Plötner (concrete). If you count Hoffmann as a provider of prefabricated garages, these companies each hold roughly a quarter of the market share here.

Except for rental purposes (then Plötner), I only recommend Hoffmann, as I am by far most convinced by their long-term quality. Their construction method has unique advantages that, in my opinion, explain the long-term durability (other prefabricated garages, especially double garages, suffer from the drawback of being made in multiple parts).

Personally, I generally prefer single doors. If the garage length allows for maneuvering after driving through—so that a vehicle can occasionally be parked in the middle of a double garage for repairs—the central post is not an issue in practice. Also, with single doors, you don’t have to open both sides even if you only want to drive through one side. Single doors are often significantly cheaper as well. Furthermore, I find it “luxurious enough” to have a motorized door opener only on the side of the daily-use parking space.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/

11ant schrieb:

You can find my posts about Hoffmann garages, for example from a few days ago https://www.hausbau-forum.de/threads/breite-garage-carport-buendig-am-haus-mit-anbau-fertiggaragen.43217/#post-571406, most easily by searching the forum with the keyword "Bimsfertigbau."

I am from near Hoffmann and know many Hoffmann garages, including several from immediate neighbors, and I personally own a (masonry) Bims garage myself. In this region, there are also AGO (steel, no longer building garages), Rasselstein (concrete room cells, also no longer active), and Plötner (concrete). If you count Hoffmann as a prefabricated garage manufacturer, the mentioned companies each hold about a quarter of the local market share. Except when renting out (then Plötner), I recommend only Hoffmann, whose long-term quality convinces me by far the most. Their construction method offers unique advantages that, in my opinion, also explain the long-term durability (other prefabricated garages have the drawback of being multi-part structures when built as double garages). Personally, I generally prefer single doors. If the length allows for an offset after passing through, so you can occasionally position a vehicle in the middle of a double garage for repairs, the center post is not a practical issue. With single doors, you also don’t have to open both sides even if you only want to drive through one side. In addition, single doors are often significantly cheaper. Also, I find it “luxurious enough” to have a motorized door opener only on the side of the everyday vehicle parking space.

Thank you very much for your reply @11ant

I have really read a lot now and I am sure that the Bims option is the better one. Of course, the price is a difference.
I can get a fully equipped 3x7m (approximately 10x23 ft) Zapf with a sectional door etc. turnkey for just under €12,000.

With Hoffmann (now, however, half a meter wider), I am at almost €19,000. But that includes a swing door and less expensive window/door.

I need to sleep on it again. In the end, I am building the garage for the next 30–40 years, and it seems that Bims can really deliver on that...

Thanks anyway for your help!

MarkusHell schrieb:

Zapf offers a fully equipped 3×7 m (10×23 ft) unit with sectional door, turnkey, for just under 12,000 euros.
At Hoffmann (now half a meter wider) I’m at just under 19,000 euros.

If you look closely, the reason for the nominally large price difference will probably become clear. 12k is almost a bargain for current “premium prices,” and 19k is a fair price accordingly. There are almost no Zapf units in this region, but this is probably explained by the proximity to Plötner. I immediately recognize a Hoffmann; I see many of them in perfect condition, even after 40+ years without any maintenance needed.

MarkusHell schrieb:

However, it’s a swing door.

That is proven technology, and as a man well over 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) and only moderately unathletic, I don’t experience any practical disadvantage day to day. If I ever have back pain, though, when the spring’s dead center is crossed while swinging it, I get some idea why more petite people might prefer sectional doors. You could ask if they would install a sectional door you provide yourself, or what the credit would be for omitting it.

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https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/