Garage & Garage Box - Prices, Variants & Planning Assistance
For many homeowners, having their own garage is more than just a parking space for their car. It reliably protects vehicles from weather, theft, and damage, creates additional storage space, and sustainably increases the value of a property. At the same time, building or buying a garage is an investment decision where costs can vary greatly depending on the design.
But how much does a garage really cost in Switzerland? What types of garages are there, and where are the most important price differences? This guide gives you a compact, realistic overview of garage costs, explains the key influencing factors, and shows you examples of what budget you should expect.
Garage, garage box or carport – what are the differences?
Before we talk about numbers, it’s worth making a clear distinction:
● Garage: fully enclosed structure with walls, roof and door
● Garage box: prefabricated, enclosed garage (e.g. made of concrete, sheet metal or wood)
● Carport: open shelter with a roof, usually without side walls
This article deliberately focuses on garages and garage boxes, as they offer significantly greater protection and are structurally different from carports.
How much does a garage cost?
The costs for a garage vary greatly depending on the construction method, material and design. While simple garage solutions can be realized for just a few thousand francs, solidly built garages with individual planning can be significantly more expensive. The following price ranges give you a realistic orientation for single garages in Switzerland – including installation, but without garage door and special equipment.
Cost overview by garage type
Wooden garage
Wooden garages are among the cheapest options. They are usually delivered as a kit and assembled on site. They have a natural look, but require regular maintenance.
● Single garage material: CHF 2,000 – 5,000
● Labor: CHF 1,500 – 2,500
● Foundation: CHF 2,000 – 3,000
● Total costs: approx. CHF 5,000 – 9,000
● Suitable for: budget solutions, outbuildings, rural areas
Sheet metal or metal garage
Metal garages are robust, quickly assembled and weather-resistant. They are particularly suitable where a simple and functional solution is required.
● Single garage material: CHF 2,500 – 5,500
● Labor: CHF 1,800 – 3,500
● Foundation: CHF 2,000 – 3,000
● Total costs without foundation: CHF 5,000 – 9,000
● Total costs with foundation: CHF 6,000 – 10,000
● Suitable for: quick implementation, low maintenance
Prefabricated concrete garage
Prefabricated concrete garages are industrially prefabricated and assembled on the construction site. They offer high stability at moderate costs.
● Single garage material: CHF 5,000 – 9,000
● Labor: CHF 1,500 – 2,000
● Foundation: CHF 1,500 – 2,000
● Total costs: approx. CHF 8,000 – 12,000
● Suitable for: long-term use, good value for money
Solid garage (brick)
The highest quality, but also the most expensive solution. Solid garages are individually planned and built on site. They can be optimally integrated into the house.
● Single garage material (bricks): CHF 2,000 – 3,000
● Labor: CHF 6,000 – 9,000
● Foundation: CHF 1,500 – 2,500
● Total costs: approx. CHF 12,000 – 16,000
● Suitable for: new buildings, value increase, maximum service life
Additional costs that almost always arise
Regardless of the garage type, you should include the following items in your budget:
Foundation (if required)
Costs: approx. CHF 1,000 – 1,500
Garage door (calculated separately)
● Simple up-and-over door without drive: from approx. CHF 2,500
● With electric drive: from approx. CHF 3,000
● Rolling doors, swing doors, sectional doors: from CHF 3,500
● Rolling doors, swing doors for double garage: from CHF 5,000
● Retrofitting a door: + approx. CHF 1,500
Note: Garage doors are often offered separately – especially for prefabricated and solid garages.
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What factors influence the cost of a garage?
The total costs of a garage are made up of several components. Depending on how large, individual or technically demanding these are, the final price can shift significantly upwards or downwards. If you know the most important cost drivers, you can budget realistically and avoid expensive surprises.
Size and number of parking spaces
A single garage is usually significantly cheaper than a double garage, but the costs do not increase proportionally. Foundation, planning and construction preparation cause fixed costs, which are only partially higher for a larger garage. Therefore, a double garage is usually cheaper than two separate single garages. In addition, the interior height also influences the price – for example, if space for roof boxes, bicycles or storage space is planned.
Construction method and material
The choice of material has a major influence on acquisition costs, service life and maintenance. Wooden garages are inexpensive and quick to assemble, but require regular maintenance. Metal and concrete solutions are more durable and require less maintenance, but are more expensive to purchase. Solid brick garages offer the highest stability and increase in value, but are also the most expensive option.
Foundation and subsoil
In most cases, a concrete foundation is required that can permanently support the weight of the garage and the vehicle. Difficult soil conditions, sloping locations or poor load-bearing capacity significantly increase the effort required for earthworks. Existing floor slabs or already paved surfaces, on the other hand, can save costs, provided they are statically suitable. The foundation is often underestimated, but makes up a relevant part of the total costs.
Location and accessibility
The location of the garage primarily influences the assembly and construction costs. Narrow access roads, steep slopes, lack of space for construction machinery or long transport routes make the work more difficult and extend the construction time. Inner-city locations or densely built-up properties also often lead to higher costs. The better the construction site is accessible, the more efficient and cheaper the garage can be realized.
Equipment and additional requests
Additional equipment can significantly increase comfort, but noticeably affect the budget. Windows, side doors, thermal insulation, electrical connections, lighting or preparation for e-charging stations cause additional costs. Design wishes such as roof greening or the integration of a photovoltaic system also have an impact on the price. If you decide early on which extras are really necessary, you can keep costs under better control.
Do you need a building permit for a garage in Switzerland?
In most cases: yes.
In Switzerland, garages are considered structural systems that influence the appearance, the use of the property and, under certain circumstances, the privacy of neighbors. Therefore, a building application is generally required for garages that are permanently connected to the ground.
Whether a permit is required depends, among other things, on:
● Size and height of the garage
● Distance to neighboring properties
● Zoning regulations of the municipality
● Construction method (temporary vs. permanent)
Even prefabricated garages, concrete boxes or pre-assembled metal garages are not automatically exempt from approval if they stand on a foundation or are permanently installed.
Important: Anyone who builds without a permit not only risks fines, but in the worst case scenario, the dismantling of the garage at their own expense. It is therefore strongly recommended to ask the responsible building authority before starting the project or to involve the garage builder in the clarifications. Many providers actively support their customers in submitting the building application.
What does a garage realistically cost?
The costs for a garage range within a broad but easily calculable framework, depending on the construction method, material and equipment. Simple garage solutions can be realized from around CHF 6,000, while high-quality, solidly built garages can quickly cost CHF 20,000 or more.
The pure construction costs are not the only factors that are decisive for a good investment, but also factors such as service life, maintenance effort, comfort and long-term increase in the value of the property. If you define your needs early on, realistically assess additional requests and compare several offers, you can save several thousand francs – without compromising on quality or functionality.
Tip: Get several comparable offers before making a decision. This way you can recognize price differences, hidden additional costs and find the solution that best suits your budget and your property.
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