An Attached Garage or a Detached Garage – That is the Question

Garages are a great investment, adding value to your property. Most people want a garage to protect their vehicles from theft, vandalism and weather, while also providing much needed storage. detached garage

There are two types of garages – a garage that is attached to the house or one that is a standalone structure in the yard. Each option has advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered before deciding on which way to go.

What’s Possible on your Property?

To decide on which type of garage to build, you’ll want to contact the City to see what your options are. All properties have setbacks which come into play with home additions (an attached garage) and standalone accessory structures (a detached garage). It may be that, based on your property, there is only be one viable option once the setbacks are taken into account. On some properties, a garage isn’t an option at all. Finding out what is and is not permitted on your property specifically is the first step.

An Attached Garage – Pros and Cons

The big advantage of an attached garage is that it’s connected directly to your house and typically you can access the garage from the inside house.

The downside is that it’s much more costly, time consuming and disruptive to undertake a home addition than it is to build a separate garage. An attached structure has different structural and foundation requirements than a standalone structure. For this type of garage, you’ll want to work with a general contractor with experience in home additions because modifications will need to be made to your home to accommodate the garage addition.

A Detached Garage – Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of a detached garage are opposite to those of an attached structure. The process is less costly, less time consuming and your house is untouched, so it’s not nearly as disruptive.

A detached garage is completed in under two weeks, from start to finish, whereas as an attached garage can take months, depending on the complexity of integrating into the existing house.

The drawback is that it’s not attached, though many people like having a separate “retreat” in the yard to get away from a busy household!

The Bottom Line

If both options are viable on your property, it really comes down to cost, preference, timelines and disruption.