Who Do You Hire to Build a Garage?
Hire a general contractor or dedicated garage builder to build your garage
![A detached garage on a sunny day](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/detached-garage-sunny-day-1347501851.jpg?impolicy=leadImage)
![A detached garage on a sunny day](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/detached-garage-sunny-day-1347501851.jpg?impolicy=leadImage)
Adding an attached or detached garage to your property can provide a lot of value, not only for you while you live there, but also in terms of property value if you ever go to sell your home. While DIYing a garage build is sometimes possible, most homeowners hire a professional to get the job done correctly. But who do you hire to build a garage?
Usually, you’ll look for a general contractor or garage builder who holds a contractor’s license and is fully insured to get the job done.
Benefits of Hiring a General Contractor for a Garage Build
The cost to build a garage will be higher if you call in a general contractor to build your garage than if you DIY the work, but paying a bit more for a professional is worthwhile for a few reasons:
They’re licensed to carry out building projects.
They’re typically fully insured, protecting you from legal issues.
They can subcontract out work like plumbing and electrical to other certified professionals.
They can pull the necessary permits for your garage project.
They will have familiarity with local building codes.
A general contractor should hold a general contracting license, which means they can legally carry out most of the garage build themselves or with their team. That includes everything from pulling the required permits and pouring the foundation to constructing walls, installing your roof, and securing the space with doors and windows. They can also bring in certified plumbers and electricians if necessary.
Without a general contractor, you may need to hire a variety of professionals to complete different parts of the job, like concrete workers, roofers, and door and window installers. Doing so can be time-consuming and might end up being more expensive.
Can I DIY Building a Garage?
![A man submitting a garage’s building permits](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/man-submitting-building-permits-598308127.jpg?impolicy=leadImage)
It’s usually possible to build a garage yourself, but the work is extremely challenging, parts of the job can be dangerous, and mistakes can cost you a lot of time and money. Some things you’ll need to be careful to avoid when DIYing a garage build include the following:
Failing to pull building permits for your project
Failing to keep your new home addition fully up to code
Pouring the foundation too thin or unlevel
Installing the roof, doors, and windows incorrectly, which could lead to water damage
Compromising your home’s structural stability if you build an attached garage
Failing to abide by laws pertaining to setbacks and building height, which could mean you’d have to knock down your garage and start over
Even if you plan to build your garage yourself, you still need to hire professionals like a plumber and electrician if you want a partially finished or fully finished space. Adding plumbing and electrical wires to any building requires additional building permits, and most municipalities mandate that certified professionals pull them. It’s also illegal in many areas to do this work yourself, even if you have a professional pull the permits for you.
Instead of building your garage yourself, you can save some money by doing some of the finishing work yourself if you’re comfortable with it, like finishing the floor, adding insulation and sheetrock, and painting. You could also feasibly convert a carport to a garage yourself, as the hard work will already be done. You might consider having a carport built and then enclosing it yourself.
Can I Hire a Garage Builder to Build My Garage?
Yes, you can hire a dedicated garage builder to build your garage or carport. In fact, companies that solely build garages use general contractors to get the work done. The only difference is that the general contractor on the team focuses solely on garage construction rather than general construction work.
A garage builder will still hold a general contractor’s license, so you’re technically hiring the same professional. They might just have more experience with garage construction, in particular.
How Do General Contractors Build a Garage?
![A man building a garage](https://media.angi.com/s3fs-public/man-building-garage-485317420.jpg?impolicy=leadImage)
When you hire a garage builder near you, they will start the garage building process by pulling permits for your construction project. This may require blueprints first, depending on where you live. Once permits are pulled, they’ll follow the general steps detailed below:
Excavate and level the land
Pour the foundation
Construct the walls
Frame out the roof
Add sheathing to the exterior walls and roof
Add roof shingles
Install windows and doors
Install siding and exterior trim
If you want a finished garage, your contractor may then take the following steps as well:
Have plumbers and electricians install utilities
Install insulation and drywall
Spackle and paint
Install the flooring
Install interior trim and finish work
Install interior light fixtures, switches, and outlets
Install interior plumbing fixtures
Close out the building permits