- March 13, 2025
Are you in need of extra space for parking and storing household equipment? If so, a single car garage might be the answer. From additional storage space to a protective spot for your car or a versatile workshop, one car garage caters to various needs.
When considering your options, you will come across two main choices – a prefab parking garage or a custom-built one. But which one should you choose? Each has its own pros and cons that you must consider before buying. Here, we’ll help homeowners to understand the difference between these options so they can make an informed decision.
What Is A Prefab Metal Garage?
Definition: A prefabricated metal garage consists of pre-made parts that are assembled on-site. These parts are manufactured off-site in a controlled environment and shipped to your location for installation.
Pros Of Prefab Garage
Quick Assembly: Since prefab parking garages are made in parts off-site with a predetermined installation guide, they are easy and fast to assemble on-site. Simple designs can take about half a day to a few days to install.
Lower Upfront Cost: These are mass-produced with standard designs in factories, which reduces prefab metal garage prices, making them a cost-effective parking shelter.
Simplified Process: Using pre-made sections makes planning and construction easy and quick, so you don’t need a detailed plan on-site.
Consistency: Prefabricated metal buildings are made in a controlled environment, which ensures consistent quality and strict adherence to the standards. Add weatherproofing to your metal building to improve its functionality.
Easy To Relocate: If you need to move the garage, prefab options are usually easier to disassemble and relocate.
Cons Of Prefab Garage
Limited Customization: Even though there are various designs available, the custom features are limited compared to custom ones.
Quality Depends On Manufacturer: The quality of materials and construction can vary with manufacturer.
Standard Size: Prefab parking sheds come in standard sizes that may not suit or fit everyone’s needs.
Site Prep: While the prefab steel garages are pre-made, you will still need to prepare the site and level it before construction.
What Is A Custom Single Car Garage?
Definition: A custom one car garage is designed and made from scratch to meet specific needs and tastes of its owner. This process involves designing, planning the layout, and selecting materials. Lastly, the construction process must be managed to make sure the finished garage matches the homeowner’s vision and needs.
Pros Of Custom Garage
Full Customization: You have complete control over design, materials, and features, allowing you to install a garage that meets your exact needs. You can increase the size to add storage hacks for a 1-car garage.
Quality Control: With custom-built design, you can select 12-gauge, 100% galvanized steel framing that is robust and offers higher strength and durability than standard frames. This ensures the construction meets & exceeds local building/ zoning laws.
High-Quality Material: Custom garages come with high-quality material, which may include warranties on workmanship, frames, panels, and rusting. This ensures long-lasting material.
Perfect Fit: With customization, you can design a parking space that fits the exact dimensions of your lot, making them ideal for non-standard size spaces or unique property layouts.
Match Home Aesthetics: By adding colors that match your home and horizontal panels that give a look of wooden panels, you can enhance the overall look of your property.
Added Value: A well-designed one car garage creates a seamless addition and adds significant value to your property.
Cons Of Custom Garage
Initial Cost: Custom metal garage prices can be $15 to $45 per sq. ft., depending on location and features. There are many factors affecting metal garage pricing, such as size, style, roof pitch, additional lean-tos, walk-in doors, gutter, etc.
Construction Time: Since custom-built parking garages are complex, installation can take more time than prefabs.
Complexity: You may be required to coordinate with architects, contractors, and local building authorities for permits and inspections.
Professional Installer: Building a custom steel garage requires a professional installation team, as a metal building is as good as its installation. At Viking Metal Garages, we provide shipping and installation service included with our final quote for your ease.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing A Single Car Garage
What Is The Size Of A Single Car Garage? You can opt for a prefab standard size 12×20 or choose a slightly bigger size, like 18×20, to accommodate a home office, workshop, or storage. The additional space will let you store some of the must-have tools for car maintenance.
How Much Is A Single Car Garage? The cost of a 1-car garage will depend on size and features. For example, an 18×40 metal garage with 1;4 ft. height starts at $12895. It has a vertical roof, a roll-up door, and a walk-in door. It is fully enclosed with corrugated horizontal panels on the side and end walls.
Time: If construction time is your priority, then prefab garages are worth considering as they can be installed quickly and ready for use without causing less interruption in work.
Customization: A custom-built metal garage is ideal for those looking to add custom features for an enhanced look and increased functionality.
Permits And Regulation: This will depend on many factors, such as how big is a single car garage, what its installation location is, and what type of local climate conditions are common in that area.
Site Preparation: Both custom and prefab parking structures need proper site preparation. You can choose a foundation type for a metal garage based on the primary purpose of the building.
Make The Right Choice For You
Quick Comparison Between Prefab Vs. Custom Steel Garage
| Prefab Garage | Factors | Custom Garage |
| Less | Cost | More |
| Quick | Installation Time | Longer |
| Limited | Design Options | Many |
| Fast & Easy | Planning & Permits | Requires More Planning |
| Depends On Manufacturer | Durability | Higher |
| Good | ROI | Better |
Examples Of When To Choose Prefab Vs. Custom Garage
- Quick and Budget-Friendly Solution: Prefab single-car garage
- Specific Design Need: Custom 1-car garage
- Tight and Unusual Shape Lot: Custom single-car garage
Checklist To Follow For Choosing Prefab/ Custom Steel Garage
- Budget
- Timeline
- Features
- Local Climate
- Local Regulations
- Available Lot Area
- Size Required
- Future Needs
Make The Right Choice For Your Single-Car Garage Needs
As you have seen above, both prefab and custom garages have their advantages and disadvantages. If you need a cost-effective, quick, and simple solution, a prefab steel garage might be the best choice, while if you have specific requirements and prefer high-quality materials that blend perfectly with your property, a custom garage would be ideal. For a free quote on your prefab or custom design garage, call (704)-741-1587 today!
Alabama