A garage is like a house for your beloved car. Without it, your car can be harmed by external factors. Here is how you can set up a safe place for your car.

A car is a prized possession for many car owners, and it is of high priority to keep our vehicles in the best condition all the time. Apart from regular car check-ups and proper usage of the car, having a garage to park your car is one of the most crucial things you can do to protect your cars. 

Why should you build a garage for your car?

A garage can help to limit the impact of the outside weather on your car. Exposure to rain, sun, or snow might take a toll on your car’s condition, damaging car parts and affecting our car’s performance. 

A well-maintained car not only lasts longer, delivers stable performance over time but also saves you a good amount of money for repair and replacement. It also keeps the resale value of the car high. 

In addition, a garage is also considered a helpful solution to secure your valuable asset from theft, robbery, or vandalism. 

To conclude, if you want to protect your cars, it is necessary to build a space, ideally a proper garage to keep them away from the unwanted damages caused by one of the above reasons.

To avoid damaging your car, it is important to build a garage 

How to build your own garage

There are various ways to create a garage, depending on your budget, your available space, and needs. A garage can be as simple as an empty space within your house that can fit the size of your car or as exquisite as a detached garage equipped with all the tools and devices for car maintenance.

Depending on how you want your garage to be, you can set up a simple garage on your own or hire construction workers to build a building unit for your car to conveniently park. 

Here are a few things that you should consider to figure out a suitable plan for your house.

Types of garages

There are two major options for you to consider when setting up a parking space for your vehicles:

• Proper garage: It is usually an enclosed structure with walls constructed around the space. A regular garage usually doubles as a storage space where you can keep your gardening tools or other miscellaneous things. Most of the time, it is built as a part of the house. There are also standalone garages that are detached from the main house. 
  If you have space around the house or within your house, you can consider expanding the house plan to make room for a garage. With an enclosed structure, this option offers better protection and security for the vehicles.
• Carport: Carports are made of metal and usually located separately from the house. Unlike the garage, carports mostly include a roof and four poles to support the construction. They are usually open on four sides. An open structure makes it easier and more convenient to park your cars. On the downside, it doesn’t guarantee the highest level of protection for your vehicles. Aesthetically speaking, carports do not look as good as garages.

Size of your garage

Another factor that determines how you build your garage is the size and number of your cars. If you only have one car, a small single-car garage that fits the size of your car is enough. 

Typically, a regular five-seater hatchback or compact sedan can easily fit into a standard single-car garage that measures around 3-4 meters by 2-2.5 meters. However, if you have a bigger car like an SUV, you will need a larger garage to fit the size of your car. For example, a Mitsubishi Philippines, like the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, can require at least a 5-meter long garage. 

When building a garage, it is recommended to take into consideration the future possibility. Do you or your family plan or want to buy more cars in the future? If yes, you probably should leave some space for the upcoming vehicles. 

You should also consider if you want a multi-functional garage that can serve as a storage space. If the answer is yes, then you should add some extra space to the floor plan (if possible). 

Construction material

The next step in designing a garage building plan is to choose the construction material. Here are some popular material options for your consideration 

• Steel: It is a popular choice for many car owners when building their garage. This material is favored over other choices thanks to its qualities like durability, cost-efficiency, and low maintenance. 
• Brick and concrete: Bricks and concrete are widely used to construct houses. Being highly durable and strong, it is an ideal material to build a garage to keep your car.
• Wood: Wood might not be as durable as other manufactured materials. However, it is highly customizable and can be affordable. It also introduces a natural and rustic look for your garage.
  Aluminum- Aluminum-framed garages can stand the hard weather condition without getting rusted or corroded. It also offers a modern and industrial look for your house.

Garage door types

A garage door is needed to complete your garage building project. Depending on your preferred function and look, you can choose one door type for your garage.

• Roller doors
• Sectional garage door
• Hinged garage door

How much does it cost to build a garage in the Philippines?

The cost of building a garage can vary, depending on different factors, like the size, materials, or functions of your garage. Here are some basic expenses that can be required for building a garage:

• Footing
• Column
• Formwork
• Painting
• Electrical and lighting
• Labor work

On average, a Phillipino homeowner can spend somewhere around Ph 80,000- Ph 150,000 for a garage. The actual number can be higher or lower in some cases. 

If you can make it a DIY project, you can save a lot of money to pay for labor. But it is only if you are familiar with basic construction work. Elsewhere, it is highly recommended to rely on a professional to build your garage.

Building a garage can take from a few days up to two weeks to finish. In the meantime, make sure that you have a safe place to keep your car. Do park your car nearby the construction work to avoid scratching your car exterior.