Constructing a garage can be a big investment, but it doesn’t have to be. There are plenty of free DIY garage plans available online to choose from. Building your own garage can save money and allow you to customize it to suit your needs and style.
We’ve rounded up 9 free DIY garage plans to consider for your next garage building project. Whether you need a simple single car garage or want a large workshop garage with storage, you’re sure to find a design that fits.
Factors to Consider When Choosing DIY Garage Plans
When looking for the right DIY garage plans for your project, there are a few key factors to take into account:
Garage Size
Consider how much space you’ll need for parking vehicles, storing tools and materials, and working on projects. The most common garage sizes are:
- Single car – 12 x 20 feet or 240 sq ft
- 1.5 car – 18 x 20 feet or 360 sq ft
- 2 car – 20 x 20 feet or 400 sq ft
- 2+ car – 24 x 24 feet or 576 sq ft
Measure the vehicles you’ll be parking inside to ensure your garage will be large enough. Also account for workbenches, storage, and space to move around.
Garage Style
Common garage styles include:
- Attached – Connected directly to the home. Easy access and more secure.
- Detached – Stands alone, separate from home. Provides more privacy.
- Tandem – Two garages in a row. Allows more vehicles but less convenient access.
Consider how the garage will be situated on your property and your needs in choosing attached vs. detached.
Garage Height
Standard garage height is 8 feet, but taller heights of 9 or 10 feet are preferable if you’ll be storing lots of shelving or tall items. Make sure the plans specify the interior ceiling height.
Materials
DIY garage plans may be designed for wood frame construction or using prefabricated steel building kits. Wood is more customizable and often cheaper, but requires more skill. Steel kits are quicker, but limit layout options.
Features
Consider what features you’d like your garage to include, like windows, insulation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, storage options, workshop space and more. Look for plans that offer what’s important to you.
Keeping these factors and your needs in mind will help you select the perfect DIY garage plans for your next project. Now let’s look at 9 free options!
1. Simple 12×20 Single Car Garage
Image from FamilyHandyman.com
This free plan from Family Handyman provides a straight-forward design for a basic 12×20 foot single car garage.
With a simple gable roof design, this garage provides all the space you need for parking one vehicle and storing yard tools and materials. It’s an ideal starter DIY garage if you don’t need extra height or lots of bells and whistles.
The building instructions provide clear steps for framing the structure from the concrete slab up. Details like rafter spacing, beam sizing, and wall framing layouts are included in the plans.
Construction tips are also provided to help you build a square, level, and sturdy garage. The materials list tells you everything you’ll need from the ground up.
If your needs are minimal, this simple garage plan could be just what you need to park your car and store your stuff. And because the design is so straightforward, it’s a great option for a first-time builder.
Details:
- 12×20 feet (240 square feet)
- Gable roof with 1 foot overhangs
- 8 foot walls
- Single swing entry door
- No windows
- Overview of concrete slab requirements
- Step-by-step framing instructions
- Materials list
View and download the free plans here.
2. 20×20 Two Car Garage
Image from MyGaragePlan.com
This free plan from MyGaragePlan.com provides a two car garage measuring 20×20 feet. The gable-style garage features two overhead doors, allowing enough room to park two vehicles conveniently.
The detailed plans include floor plans showing overall dimensions, wall framing, header sizes for the garage door openings, and more. Elevations are provided for the front and side of the garage.
A structural overview discusses recommended foundation, floor, wall, and roofing construction to help you build a sound structure. There are also tips for proper garage door and opener installation.
With 400 square feet of space, you’ll have room for your vehicles as well as storage shelves, a workbench, or walk-in storage room. This versatile two car garage design can suit most homeowners’ needs.
Details:
- 20×20 feet (400 square feet)
- Gable roof with 12 inch overhangs
- Standard 8 foot walls
- Two 9×8 foot overhead doors
- Step-by-step plans and construction tips
Get this free 20×20 two car garage plan here.
3. 22×22 Two Car Workshop Garage
Image from TheGaragePlanShop.com
This two car garage design from The Garage Plan Shop takes a 22×22 foot garage and converts one bay into versatile workspace.
One bay accommodates a standard vehicle parking space with an overhead door. The other bay provides room for cabinet storage, a workbench, and additional storage options.
The detailed plans provide overall dimensions, floor plan layout, elevations, section details, and a framing plan. The materials list gives a breakdown of components like lumber requirements.
Turning one side of this garage into organized workspace allows you to maximize the space. It’s ideal for hobbyists or home-based businesses. Add custom cabinetry, electrical, plumbing, insulation or other features to suit your workspace needs.
Details:
- 22×22 feet (484 square feet)
- Gable roof trusses with 2 foot overhangs
- 8 foot walls
- One 10×8 overhead door
- Workshop space with cabinets and workbench
- Complete set of building plans
Access this free workshop garage plan here.
4. Lean-to Garage Addition Plan
Image from Pinterest
If you have an existing detached garage with one bay, this lean-to addition plan from BHG.com allows you to expand with a second garage door.
By building an addition onto the side of your garage, you can create a tandem two car garage without having to build an entirely new structure.
This plan provides overall dimensions for a 12×20 foot lean-to addition. Details are included for the foundation, floor, walls, and roof framing to seamlessly connect the addition.
Building onto an existing garage is often cheaper and easier than constructing a detached two car garage from scratch. And you can customize the addition to blend with the look and size of your current garage.
Details:
- 12×20 foot (240 sq ft) lean-to addition
- Gable roof with overhang to match existing garage
- Step-by-step plans for structure and finishing
- Overview of permitting requirements
- Material requirements and cost estimate
- Allows two car tandem parking
Get the free lean-to garage addition plans here.
5. 24×24 Two Car Garage with Apartment
Image from Pinterest
This two-story garage from Tuttletown.com includes a garage level and upstairs apartment or living space. It’s a great option if you want extra living area above your garage.
The 24×24 foot garage provides standard two car parking with two overhead door bays. An interior staircase leads up to the second level apartment with a suggested layout.
Plans include exterior elevations, floor plans for both levels, section drawings, and a suggested floor and roof framing plan. Details provide lumber dimensions for key components.
This garage could be customized to use the upstairs as a home office, recreational space, or separate living unit instead of just storage. It’s an ideal way to add usable living area to your property.
Details:
- 24×24 feet with two floors
- Lower level is two car garage
- Upper level is open 600 square foot studio apartment
- Staircase connects the two levels
- Complete set of detailed plans
Access the free two story garage/apartment plans here.
6. 30×30 Three Car Garage
Image from HomeFloorPlans.com
This sizable free garage plan provides parking for up to three vehicles with a spacious 30×30 foot size.
The front-gabled garage features three garage door bays, each 10 feet wide. The deep 30 foot depth allows room for storage cabinets along the back wall.
The plans include overall dimensions, floor plan layout, structural overviews, and construction details for the foundation, walls, and roof.
With 900 total square feet, you’ll have ample space not only for parking but also for serious hobby work, storage, and workspace. The three bay design offers flexibility as well.
Details:
- 30×30 feet (900 square feet)
- Three 10×10 foot garage door bays
- Front gable roof with 1 foot overhangs
- 8 foot wall height
- Full set of plans with dimensions and construction details
Get this free three car garage plan today.
7. Gambrel Roof Garage Plan
Image from FamilyHandyman.com
For a unique spin, consider this gambrel-style garage plan from Family Handyman, which features a barn-like roofline.
The 16×20 foot garage has a standard 8 foot garage door bay on the front. The interesting touch is the gambrel roof, which provides extra storage space.
The plans detail the roof framing including the gambrel truss system. They also provide step-by-step instructions for building the foundation, walls, and finishing details.
With the gambrel design, the roof transitions from steeper to more shallow, allowing space for an attic-like storage loft. This adds usable square footage without increasing the garage’s footprint.
Details:
- 16×20 foot interior dimensions
- Gambrel roof with storage loft
- 8 foot wall height
- Framing plans and step-by-step instructions
- Overview of permit requirements
- Professional construction tips
Get the free gambrel garage plans here.
8. Timber Frame Garage
Image from Pinterest
This unique timber frame plan from TimberFrameHQ.com provides a gorgeous exposed post and beam garage design.
The 26×26 foot garage features traditional timber framing with striking Douglas fir timbers and beams. Large exterior sliding doors allow natural light and an open feel.
The plans highlight the timber frame connections and joinery details. They also cover flooring, lighting, insulation, siding choices and more to complete the building.
Timber frame structures have an inherently beautiful look and solid, sturdy feel. As an added bonus, the exposed frame offers great opportunities to incorporate lighting or decor details.
Details:
- 26×26 interior dimensions
- Timber frame using Douglas fir posts and beams
- Exposed wood post and beam structure
- Sliding barn doors on front facade
- Full set of framing plans and details
Get this free timber frame garage plan here.
9. Pole Barn Garage Plans
Image from Pinterest
Pole barn construction uses posts embedded in the ground to support roof trusses, eliminating the need for foundation walls. This style from PoleBarnGuru.com provides a 30×40 garage using the pole barn technique.
Overhead trusses are supported by treated wood poles secured in buried concrete piers. This saves on material costs for foundation walls.
The plans provide all the details needed to assemble the pole barn frame, roofing, siding, doors, and other finishes. The open layout is customizable for parking, storage, or workshops.
Pole barns are quick to construct and provide an economical option for a DIY garage build. You have the flexibility to add doors, windows, and utilities however it suits your needs.
Details:
- 30×40 exterior dimensions
- 11 foot walls accommodate high vehicles
- Pole barn construction over concrete piers
- Customizable interior space
- Detailed instructions and material requirements
Access these free pole barn garage plans here.
Choosing the Best DIY Garage Plans
With this wide selection of solid free garage plans to choose from, you can find the perfect design to suit your driveway space, parking needs, budget and style.
Focus on identifying must-have features like size, height, layout, materials, and utilities to narrow down the options. Consider your climate as well. Lean-to and pole barn plans may be better suited to warmer environments.
Read plan details closely to ensure the building instructions are clear before getting started. Many of these plans provide framing dimensions, material requirements, tips and structural overviews to make your construction process smoother.
With well-chosen DIY plans as your guide, you can build the ideal garage to suit your space and needs. Then you’ll be ready to park your vehicles and have room left for storage, projects or an extra living space.
Careful planning is the first step to a successful garage building project. So review these top free options and choose plans for the perfect custom garage for your home and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Garage Plans (FAQs)
Here are some common questions people have about using free DIY garage plans:
What size garage do I need?
The most common garage sizes are 12×20 feet for a single car, 20×20 feet for two cars, and 24×24 or larger for a workshop or multi-vehicle garage. Measure your vehicles and account for maneuvering space to determine the ideal size.
How detailed are free DIY garage plans?
Quality free plans like these examples provide framing dimensions, step-by-step building instructions, material requirements, and construction tips. However, some free plans are very basic. Evaluate the level of detail before building.
What foundation is best?
A concrete slab on grade is typical for garages. The slab should be a minimum of 4 inches thick and reinforced with rebar. Gravel, piers, or stem walls are other foundation options. Choose plans with clear foundation details.
Should I build attached or detached?
Attached garages