How Much Does a Garage or Lifestyle Shed Cost in NZ?

Pricing is usually the first thing people want to know, and fair enough. Whether you’re after a simple single garage or a full lifestyle shed that pulls double duty as a workshop and storage space, the cost varies quite a bit depending on what you’re building and how you’re building it.

Here’s an honest breakdown of what we’re seeing across the industry in 2025, along with some thoughts on where people often spend more than they need to and where it’s worth investing properly.

Single Garage Cost in NZ

A single garage typically ranges from $25,000 to $40,000 for a standard build. The most common size is around 3.5m x 6m (roughly 21 square metres), though we often build them a little wider or deeper depending on what the space needs to do.

If you’re parking one vehicle and storing a few tools, a standard single garage does the job. But if you’ve got a boat on a trailer or a ride-on mower to squeeze in alongside the car, it’s worth sizing up from the start rather than wishing you had later.

Double Garage Cost NZ

A double garage in NZ typically sits in the $40,000 to $60,000 range for a solid mid-range build. That usually includes a concrete slab foundation, steel framing, automated garage doors, and basic electrical.

If you want insulation, plasterboard lining, running water, or custom finishes, expect to push past $60,000 - sometimes up to $80,000+ depending on the spec.

What affects the price of a double garage?

• Size and ceiling height

• Foundation type and site preparation

• Insulation and internal lining

• Garage door type (manual vs. automated, sectional vs. roller)

• Electrical and plumbing additions

• Building consent fees (if applicable)

Thinking About a Kitset Garage? Here’s What We’d Say as Your Builder

We get asked about kitset garage prices a fair bit, and we always give the same honest answer: they can look like a bargain upfront, but they often aren’t once you factor in everything.

The core issue is that kitset structures are off-the-shelf - they’re not designed for your specific site, your wind zone, your foundation conditions, or your council’s requirements. What looks like a straightforward install can turn into a series of costly adjustments and compliance headaches that eat into the savings pretty quickly.

But here’s what we’d actually encourage you to think about before going down that path: if you’re investing in a garage-sized structure, it’s worth asking what you actually want the space to do. Because for a lot of people we talk to, what they really want isn’t just a garage - it’s a lifestyle shed.

A Lifestyle Shed Might Be a Better Fit Than You Think

A lifestyle shed is essentially a custom-designed multi-use structure - and it’s one of the most popular things we build at Anchored Steel. The difference between a lifestyle shed and a standard garage is flexibility. Instead of a fixed off-the-shelf layout, we design it around how you actually use your space.

For a similar footprint and budget as a double garage, a lifestyle shed can give you:

• Covered parking for vehicles, trailers, boats, and recreational gear (quad bikes, jet skis, horse floats)

• A dedicated workshop or hobby space alongside the parking bay

• Secure storage for tools, rural equipment, and lifestyle gear - all in the same building

We’ve built lifestyle sheds for car enthusiasts who wanted a workshop next to their parking bay, for lifestyle block owners who needed covered storage for a tractor and a separate area for feed, and for people who just wanted a big, versatile space they could grow into over time.

The key advantage over a kitset garage isn’t just quality - it’s that you get a structure designed specifically for your site and your life. No compromises, no internal columns eating into your layout, and no wondering whether it’ll comply when the council comes to inspect.

Hot Rolled vs Cold Rolled Steel — What’s the Difference?

This is something most people don’t know to ask about until they’re deep into the process - but it does matter, and it’s worth a quick explanation.

At Anchored Steel, we work with both hot rolled and cold rolled steel, which means we can match the right material to your specific build rather than defaulting to whatever we happen to stock.

Hot rolled steel is better suited to larger structures with bigger spans and heavier loads, large farm sheds, commercial workshops, and industrial warehouses. It’s stronger over longer distances and gives you more clear-span flexibility.

Cold rolled steel works well for smaller, more compact structures like lifestyle garages, single and double garages, and storage sheds. It’s cost-effective and performs well at the scale most residential and lifestyle builds sit at.

The practical upside for you is that we’re not locked into one approach. We build what makes sense for your project, not what’s easiest for us.

Not Sure What You Need? Let’s Have a Chat

If you’re weighing up a single garage, double garage, or a lifestyle shed and want to know what makes sense for your site and budget, we’re happy to talk it through. No pressure, no jargon, just a straight conversation about what’s going to work best for you.

Get in touch with Anchored Steel in Cambridge. We build across the Waikato and central North Island.