ᐅ Garage – The Challenging Choice of Building Materials and Contractors
Created on: 17 May 2020 01:45
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Eugen D.Hello everyone,
First of all, let me briefly introduce myself.
My name is Eugen, I am 30 years old. My wife and I are planning, or rather in the middle of preparations, to build a house. The construction start date will probably be next year in June. Everything regarding the house is currently settled. If that changes, you will probably hear more from us on that topic.
The actual question concerns the construction of a garage. We live near Nuremberg. Unfortunately, we did not find anything suitable in the search, and we apologize if this topic was posted in the wrong subforum.
Since we do not have the possibility to build our own garage by masonry, we decided to go with a prefabricated garage.
We have obtained several quotes. The dimensions are 6 x 9 meters (20 x 30 feet). Due to the size, we received different prices. One provider quoted about 38,000 euros, including a large sectional door in the color of our choice, electric operation, a side door, and a window, also in our preferred color, as well as electrical installation. However, crane costs are not included and would be charged extra depending on the actual effort. The strip foundation is included in the price.
Another provider, also offering a precast concrete garage, quoted around 39,000 euros, with crane costs included.
We also have an offer for just under 36,000 euros. This garage is made of pumice stone blocks and, instead of strip foundations, comes with an 18 cm (7 inches) thick cast concrete slab. It also includes the large door and electrical installation.
Whether the excavation is done by the builder or the company is not yet clarified in any offer, so this is not included in the evaluation.
Our question mainly concerns the choice of building material. Would you prefer concrete or pumice stone? Do you have experience with garages made from these materials and could you perhaps recommend a company?
Most reviews about all manufacturers seem to be mostly negative, often criticizing customer service, with concrete garages having issues like roof leaks or cracks in the walls.
Perhaps someone here has already gone through this decision, hopefully made the right choice, or even knows a good company that could build a garage with a hipped roof (since the house will also have one) for this price. Ideally, also near Nuremberg.
If you have any further questions, I am happy to answer them, preferably publicly so that everyone in the forum can benefit. Otherwise, feel free to contact me by private message.
Best regards and have a great weekend
Eugen
First of all, let me briefly introduce myself.
My name is Eugen, I am 30 years old. My wife and I are planning, or rather in the middle of preparations, to build a house. The construction start date will probably be next year in June. Everything regarding the house is currently settled. If that changes, you will probably hear more from us on that topic.
The actual question concerns the construction of a garage. We live near Nuremberg. Unfortunately, we did not find anything suitable in the search, and we apologize if this topic was posted in the wrong subforum.
Since we do not have the possibility to build our own garage by masonry, we decided to go with a prefabricated garage.
We have obtained several quotes. The dimensions are 6 x 9 meters (20 x 30 feet). Due to the size, we received different prices. One provider quoted about 38,000 euros, including a large sectional door in the color of our choice, electric operation, a side door, and a window, also in our preferred color, as well as electrical installation. However, crane costs are not included and would be charged extra depending on the actual effort. The strip foundation is included in the price.
Another provider, also offering a precast concrete garage, quoted around 39,000 euros, with crane costs included.
We also have an offer for just under 36,000 euros. This garage is made of pumice stone blocks and, instead of strip foundations, comes with an 18 cm (7 inches) thick cast concrete slab. It also includes the large door and electrical installation.
Whether the excavation is done by the builder or the company is not yet clarified in any offer, so this is not included in the evaluation.
Our question mainly concerns the choice of building material. Would you prefer concrete or pumice stone? Do you have experience with garages made from these materials and could you perhaps recommend a company?
Most reviews about all manufacturers seem to be mostly negative, often criticizing customer service, with concrete garages having issues like roof leaks or cracks in the walls.
Perhaps someone here has already gone through this decision, hopefully made the right choice, or even knows a good company that could build a garage with a hipped roof (since the house will also have one) for this price. Ideally, also near Nuremberg.
If you have any further questions, I am happy to answer them, preferably publicly so that everyone in the forum can benefit. Otherwise, feel free to contact me by private message.
Best regards and have a great weekend
Eugen
We received 12 quotes from all the major manufacturers and had discussions with most of them. I have never experienced in any industry competitors speaking so negatively about each other. Initially, everyone wanted to emphasize how terrible the others supposedly were.
I find your prices a bit high. Major cost drivers are the foundations, which they estimate at 4,000 to 6,000 euros (about $4,300 to $6,500). We will handle those ourselves since strip foundations generally don’t require much effort. Another cost driver is the crane fees.
In the end, we chose a Zapf garage for three reasons. The first advantage is that they apparently have a “patented” car crane that can operate from the inside, eliminating the need for an additional crane. Also, our prefab house company works with them, which gave us a good sense of security. Finally, they offered the best price-performance ratio; we are now paying 27,500 euros (about $29,700) for a 7x9 m (23x30 ft) garage with a 5.50 m (18 ft) door, in our desired color, including a door and electrical fittings.
I find your prices a bit high. Major cost drivers are the foundations, which they estimate at 4,000 to 6,000 euros (about $4,300 to $6,500). We will handle those ourselves since strip foundations generally don’t require much effort. Another cost driver is the crane fees.
In the end, we chose a Zapf garage for three reasons. The first advantage is that they apparently have a “patented” car crane that can operate from the inside, eliminating the need for an additional crane. Also, our prefab house company works with them, which gave us a good sense of security. Finally, they offered the best price-performance ratio; we are now paying 27,500 euros (about $29,700) for a 7x9 m (23x30 ft) garage with a 5.50 m (18 ft) door, in our desired color, including a door and electrical fittings.
Eugen D. schrieb:
Would you prefer concrete or pumice stone?You’re writing from Bavaria—how do you know about pumice and are you considering it for your garage?https://www.instagram.com/11antgmxde/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bauen-jetzt/
11ant schrieb:
You write from BY, how do you know about pumice and think about it for your garage? Hello,
By comparing different options and doing some research, I came across it. Since you also have to provide the postal code to the manufacturer when making an online inquiry, I assume they would have informed me if it was outside their service area. That is why we included it in the shortlist.
Hello Libero5,
Thank you for your reply.
We are aware that the main cost drivers are the foundations, but since we don’t have the time or possibility to do them ourselves, we are accepting the additional expenses. If I add the 6000 euros to your offer, the total price of 33,000 euros is reasonable. For our complete package, the same manufacturer is asking for 39,000 euros, and I don’t understand why, especially since your garage is even larger.
We have a 6x9 meter (20x30 feet) garage with a sectional door in anthracite, a window, and a door. Electrical installation is also included.
May I ask which company you are building with? Ours also works together with Zapf.
At the beginning, we received an offer for a double garage directly from the company. However, that was not an option because the central wall is simply removed, but approximately 70cm (28 inches) of wall remain at the front and back. Also, a double door was not possible at all.
Then I contacted Zapf and requested offers through the construction company. The representative from Zapf understood that we are building with the construction company and agreed to send the offer to them. Now I am receiving an offer from the construction company under their name, with their garage model, but customized with our wishes and dimensions. Maybe I should just contact Zapf directly to find out the reasons for the price differences.
I also read that you have already made payments. Does that mean you are still in the planning and construction phase and have no experience yet regarding installation, weatherproofing, and similar aspects?
Best regards,
Eugen
Thank you for your reply.
We are aware that the main cost drivers are the foundations, but since we don’t have the time or possibility to do them ourselves, we are accepting the additional expenses. If I add the 6000 euros to your offer, the total price of 33,000 euros is reasonable. For our complete package, the same manufacturer is asking for 39,000 euros, and I don’t understand why, especially since your garage is even larger.
We have a 6x9 meter (20x30 feet) garage with a sectional door in anthracite, a window, and a door. Electrical installation is also included.
May I ask which company you are building with? Ours also works together with Zapf.
At the beginning, we received an offer for a double garage directly from the company. However, that was not an option because the central wall is simply removed, but approximately 70cm (28 inches) of wall remain at the front and back. Also, a double door was not possible at all.
Then I contacted Zapf and requested offers through the construction company. The representative from Zapf understood that we are building with the construction company and agreed to send the offer to them. Now I am receiving an offer from the construction company under their name, with their garage model, but customized with our wishes and dimensions. Maybe I should just contact Zapf directly to find out the reasons for the price differences.
I also read that you have already made payments. Does that mean you are still in the planning and construction phase and have no experience yet regarding installation, weatherproofing, and similar aspects?
Best regards,
Eugen
At 39,000 euros, I would strongly recommend considering solid construction. But make sure to compare validly; for example, a hip roof is naturally a cost driver that probably isn’t included in the calculation for the prefabricated garage.
You should also ask the company that is building the foundations for the house. Your prices are likely due to the small scale involved.
You should also ask the company that is building the foundations for the house. Your prices are likely due to the small scale involved.
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