In this section we try to answer some of the questions people have when thinking about buying a garage, and also some questions they may have about the building they already own.
If you don't find the answers you're looking for here, don't hesitate to call us on 0800 316 6390 or send us an email, and we'll do our best to answer your questions.
- Do I need planning permission?
- What sort of base do I need?
- Can my garage be increased in size at a later date?
- Can you help me find a spare part for a garage I 'inherited' from previous owners?
- Help! I need a key!
- I already have a garage. Is it one you manufactured?
- Why are your garages better than your competitors?
- Where can I see one of your garages?
- How do I order?
- How long will I have to wait for my garage?
- Can I erect my garage myself?
Usually, in the majority of situations, no. Planning permission is not normally required due to the nature of our product, i.e. "portable sectional building" - providing the garage is within certain size limits which in turn are governed by the size and other aspects of your property. The usual criteria to meet to avoid planning permission are...
- The proposed garage is not in front of the building line.
- The proposed garage is under 30 sq. meters and under 70 cubic meters.
- Your property is not in a Conservation area or a listed building.
We can give guidance, but we suggest that you talk to your local planning officer if in doubt. Also recommended is the booklet: "Planning A Guide for Householders" by the Department of the Environment. It may be available in your local library.
You may need permission if you intend to use your garage for commercial use (e.g. a garage for a commercial vehicle or a workshop for a small business), or if it goes against original planning permission for the house. Note that we can provide plan and elevation drawings for your local authority planning department. Please contact us for details.
Useful link: Planning: A Guide for Householders
All our buildings require a concrete base on which to stand. You can get our standard base drawing here. The base on which the garage is to stand must be 6 inches (152mm) wider and longer than the external dimensions of the building itself. It must also be flat, level and square and this can be achieved by using shuttering and, as the concrete is poured in, by using a level board across the width of the base to tamp flush as you go.
Unfortunately, we do not provide a base-laying service. Should you require your base to be prepared for you, if you order your garage through one of our agents, they may be able to suggest a local contractor who can do this.
Thanks to our unique concrete panel systems, expansion is usually possible, especially lengthwise. Our pitched-roofed garages lend themselves to extensions to either the front or the rear, but a flat roofed garage using our post-and-panel system can only be expanded to the rear, with a maximum length of 24ft 8in (7518mm).
Please note, however, that specifications are liable to change over time - e.g. roofing materials may change, and therefore future extensions to your garage may not be straightforward. We would therefore recommend that you plan ahead and buy a bigger garage than you currently require, to allow for future needs.
We only supply parts for garages we manufacture. The first step to consider is whether your garage (or workshop/shed) is one that we made. If so, please also consider that often it would be far cheaper for you to get some items from a local builders merchant if possible, as anything we supply would obviously incur a carriage charge.
We can only supply keys for the garages we have sold. We have limited stocks of keys, so please call us to ascertain the availability of the key you require. Before phoning, please obtain the key number which is on the face of the lock.
We charge £10.00 per key.
We can probably help you to identify the original manufacturer of your garage. Before calling us, measure the width and height of the panels, and the height to the top of the wall. Also, note whether your garage has an apex or flat roof, and what the internal and external wall finish is.
We belive the quality of our garages far exceeds that of our competitors. Our Mayfair range of garages cannot be matched in specification. Features include:
- Thicker panels
- Five different finishes
- Stronger roof purlins and trusses
- 7ft high panels as standard
- Built-in structural redundancy (view example)
These features are also to be found on our Leofric "Banspar" range of garages - Cornwall, Avon, Worcester, Severn, Surrey and Sussex. For more information on all our concrete panel systems, click here.
On our agents and show sites page, many show sites listed have at least one of our buildings on display.
Our 'How to Buy' page tells you everything you need to know.
Typically, from the time we receive your order, delivery is 5 weeks for our Mayfair range.
Whilst we offer a complete erection service, for the enthusiastic DIYer, on many models, self-erection is an option. Owing to the skilled workmanship required to construct the tiled roof, we do not recommend self-erection for the Heritage or Windsor25/35 range.