Garage Sheds Guide: Costs, Sizes & Materials Explained

Getting a neat, secure space for your car and gear is easier than you think. Picture yourself at home on a sunny Queensland afternoon, opening a gleaming new garage shed – instead of tripping over tools and lawnmowers.

Garage sheds are more than just metal boxes; they’re the ultimate backyard sidekick, giving you space for cars, hobbies, or even a mini workshop. In this guide we’ll break down everything you need to know – from how big you can go to what it might cost and what to build it with.

You’ll walk away with real numbers, practical tips, and maybe even a laugh or two to keep things light.

Sizing Up Your Options

If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably shuffled a car into a too-small carport and thought, “There has to be a better way.” Garage sheds come in all shapes and sizes to fit your needs. A small single-car shed (around 3m×6m or 6m×6m) might house one car and some shelves, while a standard double (about 6m×9m) holds two cars plus some storage.

For real space, multi-bay sheds are the go – a 7.5m×9m three-bay shed (often called a triple) can fit three cars side by side, and a 9m×9m shed is basically a mini-warehouse. To put it in perspective:

Table: Typical garage shed sizes and ballpark costs in Australia.

Looking at those numbers, you’ll notice bigger sheds cost more. But they also fit more stuff – for example, a 7.5×9 (three-car) shed kit might start around $12–$20K, whereas the finished, fully-installed shed can run $26–$50K or more.

It might seem steep, but keep in mind that the “installed” price includes engineering, labour, and all the whistles (doors, windows, anchors, etc.). One nifty option for those who really need space is a triple garage shed. As the name suggests, it fits three vehicles (or doubles as a workshop plus two cars), and it’s sized around 7.5m×9m or 9m×6m depending on roof style and site. (More on these later!)

Counting the Cost: What You’ll Spend

Budgeting is the tough part, right? Let’s break down where your money goes and how much you’ll actually spend. A good rule of thumb: larger size + more features = higher cost, but location and local regulations matter too.

• Basic kit vs. turnkey build: If you’re handy, a shed kit lets you save on labour. A 6×9 double-car kit might cost around $8,500–$14,000 to buy. But if you want someone else to do it all (slab, build, doors, etc.), plan for roughly $18,000–$35,000 installed in Southeast Queensland. In coastal North Queensland (cyclone region), add ~15–35% extra for stronger frames and tie-downs.
  
• Concrete slab: Before you build the shed, you usually lay a slab. In QLD you should budget about $1,400–$2,800+ for a 100–120mm reinforced concrete slab. (Steeper sites or sloping yards can push this higher.) Even if you go with piers or a simple footing, expect a few thousand dollars on site prep.
  
• Doors and windows: A roller door costs a couple thousand, plus a motor is a few hundred more. Extra windows or a person door add to the tally. For example, a double roller door on a 6×6 garage is a big expense.
  
• Cyclone and compliance costs: In high-wind zones of QLD, you’ll pay extra for certified anchors and bracing. The same shed kit might jump by 15–35% to meet cyclone codes. You’ll also need engineer-signed drawings and a building certifier if your shed is large.
  
• Insulation & extras: If you want insulation (like foil roof blanket) to keep things cool, tack on another $500–$1,000. Shelves, cabinets, and electrical wiring all add extra dollars down the line. But those keep your tools safe and your workshop comfy!
  

In short, expect $10K–$20K for a small single garage (installed), $20K–$40K for a standard double, and $30K–$60K or more for a big triple garage installed. Think of it like a car purchase – more car (shed), more cash. The table above gives a quick idea for basic builds in non-rural areas.

Materials Comparison: Steel, Timber, Brick

What to build your shed with is a big decision. In Australia, steel is king for garages – mainly because it’s strong, affordable, and termite-proof. You’ll hear two steel names a lot: pre-painted steel (Colorbond) and galvanised steel (Zincalume). Colorbond is basically steel with a baked-on colour finish, while Zincalume is silver steel coated in an aluminum-zinc alloy (no paint). Here’s how they stack up:

• Painted (Colorbond) steel: This looks great (lots of colours to match your home) and reflects heat well if you pick light tones. It’s usually a bit more expensive upfront because of the paint layer. But the trade-off is UV durability and style. If you want a sleek, coloured finish and live away from the salty coast, this is the premium pick.
  
• Galvanised (Zincalume) steel: This is your budget-friendly warrior. It comes in a silvery grey finish and costs less than painted steel. It’s still corrosion-resistant (thanks to the zinc-aluminum coating), but doesn’t have colours. It’s a solid choice for inland Queensland sheds where heat reflectance is less of a concern. You might want extra insulation in the roof if you go this route in tropical areas.
  
• Timber frame with steel cladding: Some sheds use a timber frame with steel panels. This can look a bit warmer or more “custom”, but wood needs treatment. QLD has termites, so any timber must be termite-rated or on a physical barrier. This is less common for modern garages, but it’s an option if you prefer a more traditional structure.
  
• Brick or concrete block: Technically, a fully brick garage is a possibility (and very fireproof!), but that’s usually a custom build rather than a kit shed. If you want ultimate longevity and don’t mind building like a house, you could brick it out – but costs skyrocket compared to a metal shed.
  

In practice, we mostly recommend steel sheds in QLD. They stand up to the sun and rain, and modern steel sheds can come with 20-year warranties. Just remember: thicker steel (e.g. 0.48mm base metal) is stronger (and pricier) than thin 0.42mm.

Also, order light-colour roof panels or add foil insulation (Anticon blanket) to keep inside temps down on hot Brisbane days. (Pro tip: an insulated roof can cut inside temp by up to ~10°C.)

Designing Your Dream Shed: Roofs, Doors & Extras

Let’s talk features. This is where you get to make the shed your own. Consider:

• Roof style: Gable (peaked), skillion (single slope), or flat. Gable roofs give that classic look with extra height in the middle (great for ventilation and hanging hoists), but they cost a touch more and eat into height limits. Skillion (mono) roofs look modern and shed water quickly, but one side has low eaves. Flat roofs are cheapest and low-profile, but water drainage is tricky and heat build-up is worse. In QLD backyards, gable and skillion are most common. (Gable for car clearance, skillion if you want a unique style or easy solar panels.)
  
• Doors and openings: A roller door is a given for car access. Think about how many doors you need: two single roller doors side-by-side gives flexibility (each ~2.5m wide), or one big 5m door for trucks. Don’t forget a pedestrian access door, and maybe a window or two if you want natural light. Each extra door/window is an extra cost, but makes daily life easier.
  
• Insulation & ventilation: Queensland sun can turn a shed into an oven. We highly recommend a foil-backed insulation blanket (Anticon) under the roof to keep heat out. Whirlybird vents or gable vents are cheap ways to let hot air escape. The effort is worth it – working in a cooler workshop is way nicer.
  
• Gutters and stormwater: Rain comes fast in QLD’s wet season. Install gutters and downpipes on your shed so water drains safely into soakwells or storm drains. This prevents erosion around the base. It’s a small extra cost that avoids headaches later.
  
• Foundation: Plan for either a full slab or concrete piers. A slab gives a level floor for cars and helps deter termites (with proper flashing). If you opt for pad piers, ensure there’s termite-proofing and anchor bolts. This is a big safety step that your builder will insist on.
  

By mixing and matching these options, you’ll design a shed that not only fits your caravan or cars, but also feels like it was made for your block. Don’t forget safety – especially if you live near the coast, specify marine-grade fasteners and materials.

Permits & Queensland Regulations

Now, the not-so-fun but crucial part: permissions. The good news? In Queensland, small sheds can sometimes dodge the red tape. Under the Building Regulation 2021, a Class 10a shed (i.e., a non-habitable garage or carport) doesn’t need approval if all of the following apply:

• Footprint ≤ 10 m² (about a 3.2×3.2m area), and
  
• Height ≤ 2.4 m (average roof height ≤2.1m), and
  
• Longest side ≤ 5.0 m, and
  
• No impact on existing buildings or fences, etc.
  

In plain terms, if you’re building a very small garden shed or carport within those limits, you can often do it “as of right.” Brisbane City Council’s guidelines even spell out: “No approval is needed for a 10m² shed (2.4m high, 5m max side)”. Pretty handy!

However, most garage sheds are bigger (especially if they fit a car), so you’ll usually need to engage a private certifier and lodge a building application. You should check your local council, because some areas have extra rules (like planning codes or heritage overlays).

Our advice: always double-check before you buy or build. A quick tip – if your shed is under 56m² and below 3.6m high in a suburban zone, it’s usually OK with the Dwelling House Code, but larger sheds need approval or a development permit. In short, small one- or two-car sheds might slip through without fuss, but anything bigger should go through the right channels to avoid fines.

Maintenance & Local Tips

Your garage shed should last for decades if built right, but Queensland has challenges. First, termites. Yes, those little chewies will attack almost anything made of timber or brick. Ensure your shed’s footing includes a termite barrier (a hidden metal or concrete flashing).

It’s usually standard on a slab build, but if in doubt, ask your builder or certifier. Even a steel shed can have timber parts (like floor frames) that need protection.

Second, corrosion. QLD coastal air can rust metal fast. If you’re within a few kilometers of the ocean, tell your supplier – they’ll use higher-grade (C4/C5) coatings and stainless fixings. For inland builds, regular Colorbond/Zincalume is fine, but still rinse off salt or pool chemicals from time to time.

Third, heat and humidity. Pick light roof colours (Surfmist, Paperbark, etc.) to reflect sunlight. As mentioned, foil insulation is cheap insurance against boiling summer workshops. In humid areas, ensure good air flow so condensation and mold don’t set in.

Finally, stormproofing. If a cyclone or severe storm threatens, lock all doors and maybe have a plan (don’t leave out free-standing items in the shed). A well-built, anchored shed will ride out big winds – which is why it’s crucial to get those engineered plans and anchors right on installation day.

With a bit of care – cleaning gutters, checking sealant joints, and treating any nicks in paint – your new garage shed will serve you well through many Queensland seasons.

Conclusion

Building (or installing) a garage shed in Queensland is a big decision, but now you’ve got the lowdown. We talked sizes from cozy singles to sprawling triples, costs from ten-thousand-dollar kits up, and materials from sleek Colorbond steel to good-old galvanized iron.

We’ve covered roofs, doors, and even the pesky paperwork so you’re not caught off guard by the council. Most importantly, you know to balance your budget with your needs – maybe a double garage is all you really need, or perhaps a triple garage shed (9×7.5m) for ultimate space.

Now it’s your turn! Sketch a floor plan, pick some swatches, and chat with a local certifier. You could even try an online shed designer or sit down with a tape measure and an espresso. At the end of the day, the goal is a safe, tidy space that you actually love.

Whether you’re stashing off-season decorations, setting up a workshop, or protecting the wheels of your 4WD, the right garage shed will pay off in convenience (and peace of mind) for years to come.

What are you waiting for? Roll up your sleeves (figuratively!), pull out those plans, and turn that cluttered yard into something you’re proud of. Your perfect garage shed is out there – go make it happen.

Frequently Asked Questions