4 Best Concrete Garage Suppliers to Compare for Vehicle Fit and Access in 2026
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Picture this. Your new concrete garage is assembled and the car rolls in. Then you open the driver door and find you can barely get out. The up and over door clips your roof box, while the mower and bikes have nowhere to go.
I am Robin Antill, and my advice is to shop by measurements first and brand second, especially if you are a UK homeowner buying in 2026.
Our top pick is 1st Choice Leisure Buildings for homeowners who want to see a garage before ordering. Its Sutton Green show site in Surrey allows that, alongside transparent pricing without registration and free professional assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions.
The British made steel reinforced precast range has flexible sizes, roofs, doors and finishes, with a 10 year structural guarantee subject to manufacturer terms. Lidget Compton is the strongest alternative for manufacturer specification detail; SDS Prefabricated Buildings is the strongest alternative for South West homeowners.
This guide covers the measurements that make a garage usable, then ranks 4 suppliers for vehicle fit and access. I compare size choice, clearance advice, base and delivery guidance, assembly, build quality and pricing clarity.
| Provider | Best for |
|---|---|
| 1st Choice Leisure Buildings | Seeing before you buy with free assembly included |
| Lidget Compton | Manufacturer level detail on construction and sizes |
| SDS Prefabricated Buildings | Homeowners in the South West wanting local coverage |
| White Rose Buildings | A full package quote including base and old building removal |
What to Look For
Brochure dimensions are a starting point. Compare how each supplier helps you avoid a tight fit, a blocked door or a failed delivery.
Size and Internal Dimensions
Ask for internal length, width and height. These show whether the car fits alongside storage and a workbench, with walking room left over. Nominal single and double garage sizes alone will not answer that.
Door Width and Clearance Support
Check the clear drive-through opening and the space needed to open car doors comfortably. Door types and driver egress deserve as much attention as the finish.
Base and Site Guidance
Precast garages need a suitable concrete base before delivery. To begin, ask for the manufacturer’s exact drawing, including dimensions, thickness, and level requirements. Then, arrange drainage outside the supporting area.
Finally, check if the package includes base laying. If it does not, you will need to arrange this yourself.
Delivery and Access Logistics
The delivery lorry needs sufficient width, height and turning space. Discuss gates, overhanging trees, telegraph poles and parking before ordering, rather than discovering a problem on delivery day.
Assembly and Guarantee
Check what assembly includes and its conditions. Free professional assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions saves finding separate fitters. A 10 year structural guarantee remains subject to manufacturer terms.
Pricing Transparency and Seeing Before You Buy
Prices and options should be accessible without registration. A showroom lets you judge eaves height, ridge height and door operation, while downloadable brochures and price lists help with comparison at home.
The 11 Measurements to Take Before You Order
Take a tape, notepad and helper. These 11 measurements cover the car itself, circulation and storage, plus the door mechanism and delivery route.
Vehicle Dimensions
1. Measure bumper to bumper, including any tow bar or bike rack. Add front and rear walking space when considering internal length.
2. Record width with mirrors folded and unfolded. This affects entry and where you can park while retaining room to exit.
3. Measure height including roof bars, aerial or roof box. Compare it with the clear opening and internal heights, allowing for door travel.
Clearance and Egress
4. Measure driver and passenger door projection at a comfortable exit angle on your drive. The same usable side space must exist inside.
5. Record front and rear circulation needs with the garage door shut, including any planned freezer, shelving or workbench.
6. Test egress beside a wall or second car if that reflects your intended layout. Check that you can step out without contact.
7. Check headroom for the up and over mechanism as well as vehicle height. Apex roofs add central height, but that does not establish usable door clearance.
Access and Delivery
8. Measure route width, height and turning space from the road, including gates, wall or hedge pinch points, branches and cables.
9. Identify legal, level stopping and offloading space, plus the panel carry route. Record slopes, soft verges, kerbs and shared drives.
Base and Site
10. Measure the available footprint and compare it with the manufacturer's base drawing. The supporting surface must be level, square and strong enough for the panels.
11. Record eaves, soil pipes, oil tanks, fences and boundaries. These affect door movement, gutter discharge and possible permitted development limits.
Garage Sizing Example for Family SUV
Consider an SUV that measures 4.7 m long and 1.9 m wide, excluding mirrors. The owner tests these clearances:
- Driver’s side: 0.9 m
- Passenger’s side: 0.6 m
- Front: 0.7 m
- Rear: 0.5 m
These allowances are examples, not universal minimums. Each side zone must accommodate both door opening and getting out of the vehicle. Avoid counting the same space twice.
The starting clear internal space is 3.4 m wide (1.9 + 0.9 + 0.6) and 5.9 m long (4.7 + 0.7 + 0.5). Adding a bench behind the car increases the required internal length. A 0.6 m deep bench brings it to 6.5 m, while keeping the rear walkway clear.
A narrower passenger-side allowance may work if passengers get out before the vehicle enters. However, this arrangement must suit the household’s needs.
Check the mirror width, entrance width, and approach angle separately. Also, measure the vehicle’s full height, including accessories. Compare this with the clear opening and the space required for the manufacturer’s door mechanism. A high roof ridge does not guarantee enough clearance to drive through.
Finally, compare your required internal dimensions with the supplier’s drawings, external footprint, and base specifications. A nominal 3.4 m × 6.5 m garage may provide less usable space inside.
Use this checklist to keep supplier discussions practical.
| Number | Measurement to Record | What Good Looks Like in Discussion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bumper to bumper length | Internal length that leaves walk around space front and rear |
| 2 | Width with mirrors | Internal width that lets you drive in centrally and still exit |
| 3 | Height with roof kit | Door opening height plus roof height that clears the mechanism |
| 4 | Door swing projection | Side gaps that allow doors to open to a natural exit angle |
| 5 | Front and rear circulation | Space to pass, store and work with doors closed |
| 6 | Egress beside wall or second car | Room to step out without hitting the next car or wall |
| 7 | Door gear headroom | Manufacturer’s mechanism envelope clear of the vehicle and storage |
| 8 | Route width, height and bends | A lorry route without pinches, low wires or impossible turns |
| 9 | Offload and carry space | Level stopping point plus carry route to the base |
| 10 | Base size and level | Level, square concrete meeting the exact manufacturer’s base drawing |
| 11 | Plot obstructions and boundaries | No clashes with eaves, gutters, fences or neighbour limits |
In England, many domestic garages fall under permitted development when size, height and position meet the rules. Limits differ across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and for conservation areas or listed buildings.
Check with your local planning authority before ordering in 2026. Building regulations are separate from planning: The Building Regulations 2010 set out a regulatory framework for England and Wales, with applicability and current requirements to be checked for your particular project and nation.
The 4 Best Concrete Garage Suppliers for Vehicle Fit and Access
With your measurements ready, compare how each supplier's range and installation arrangements fit your site. These four offer different buying experiences, technical information and regional coverage.
#1. 1st Choice Leisure Buildings – View Before Buying, Free Assembly Included
You can compare sizes, roof styles, doors and finishes at 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, with downloadable brochures and price lists available without registration. The range centres on British made Lidget Compton steel reinforced precast concrete buildings, offering single, double and flexible layouts with pent and apex roofs.
The Surrey show site, between Woking and Guildford, is particularly useful for assessing space. For example, stepping inside helps you judge opening width, internal height, and panel finish. In addition, you can see how the doors move more clearly than photographs show.
After your visit, you can match your measurements to a suitable size and door combination for your home.
Key specs include:
- British made steel reinforced precast concrete panel construction
- Single, double and flexible sizes with pent and apex roofs
- Doors, windows and finishes for parking, storage or light workshop use
- Surrey show site for viewing before you order
- Free professional assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions
- Downloadable brochures and price lists without registration
- 10 year structural guarantee subject to manufacturer terms
- Family business with industry experience dating back to 1979
Pros
- Free assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions avoids hiring separate fitters
- Showroom viewing helps assess internal width, clearance and headroom
- Pricing without registration makes like for like comparisons easier
- Industry experience since 1979 supports the advice available
- Flexible specifications help accommodate measured vehicle and storage needs
Cons
- Visiting the Surrey showroom takes planning if you live far away, though brochures and phone advice help
- Base readiness and suitable access remain conditions of free assembly, so allow time and budget for preparation
- Awkward or sloping sites need a careful discussion about feasible layouts within the standard modular sizes
Who it is best for: garage buyers across the UK, and especially the South East, who want a showroom visit, clear pricing and free professional assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions.
Send your vehicle and storage needs, the garage size you are after, your postcode and a budget figure to get help choosing a model and a clear written quotation.
#2. Lidget Compton – Best for Manufacturer Level Detail on the Construction System
Lidget Compton manufactures the British steel reinforced precast system supplied by our top pick. This is a technical source for understanding that system rather than a different construction method to compare. Its literature walks through planning and measurement, then roof choice and customisation.
The useful detail includes how internal lengths build, with longer apex options up to 8.08 m for a large SUV, van or combined parking and workshop. The buyer guidance helps connect your measurements to a roof, door and layout before discussing the order with a supplying dealer.
Pros
- Manufacturer detail on construction, size logic and custom options
- Step by step guidance that follows a measure first approach
- Pent and apex choices for different profiles and central heights
- Longer apex formats for extended length requirements
Cons
- Detailed literature takes time to work through; some buyers will prefer discussing it during a dealer showroom visit
- Your base, access and site preparation still need to be addressed for the particular plot
Best for: Buyers wanting to understand the precast system and its size options at manufacturer depth before discussing specifications with a supplying dealer.
#3. SDS Prefabricated Buildings – Best for Homeowners in the South West Wanting Local Coverage
SDS Prefabricated Buildings is based at Paulmont Rise, Temple Cloud, Bristol BS39 5DZ. Its coverage includes Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Gloucester, Southampton, Swindon, Bournemouth, Exeter, Cheltenham and surrounding areas, making it a regional option for South West buyers.
The offer centres on recommendations tailored to your requirements. That suits first time buyers who have measured their vehicle but need help choosing a layout that accommodates door clearance alongside storage or workshop space.
The coverage map also helps establish whether your property is within the service area before an enquiry.
Pros
- Regional focus across the South West and South Wales
- Recommendations tailored to your vehicle, plot and intended use
- A clear service area helps establish whether a site discussion is practical
- Coverage includes the named cities and surrounding areas
Cons
- Buyers outside its South West and South Wales coverage will need another supplier
Best for: Homeowners in Bristol, Bath, Cardiff and the wider South West wanting a regional supplier to discuss measurements, access and specification.
#4. White Rose Buildings – Best for a Full Package Quote Including Base and Old Building Removal
White Rose Buildings supplies prefabricated concrete garages with mainland UK delivery and fitting. Its pent and apex range can be combined with base laying and old garage removal, including asbestos removal where needed. That brings two substantial preparation jobs into the package.
This approach is useful if your measurements call for a larger footprint or a different door position. Discussing removal, base and installation together helps align positions, levels and timings. Compare the pent and apex drawings against your height and layout requirements, including any roof box or workshop bench.
Pros
- Supply and installation with mainland UK delivery and fitting
- Base laying for sites without a suitable slab
- Old garage removal, including asbestos where needed
- Pent and apex ranges to compare for height, appearance and budget
Cons
- Removal, base work and installation require more scheduling than supply alone
- Tight or irregular boundaries still require careful measurement and advice
Best for: Buyers comparing a combined removal, base and new garage quote rather than arranging separate trades.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Garage Fit and Access
Which is best for opening car doors comfortably: a standard width or a wider concrete garage?
A wider internal width usually works better for daily door opening. A standard garage may house the car but leave too little room to step out comfortably. Compare your measured door projection with the space beside the parked car.
What is the difference between parking clearance and door opening clearance inside a concrete garage?
Parking clearance lets you drive in without clipping mirrors. Door opening clearance provides room to open the doors and exit. You need both, so I suggest measuring door projection on your drive and including it in the width brief.
Which is best for a stable installation: a base flush with the footprint or a slightly larger base with drainage fall?
Use the manufacturer's exact base dimensions and level requirements. The supporting surface should be flat and square, with any positioning allowance specified in the drawing. Keep drainage outside the supporting area rather than adding a generic fall beneath the panels.
What is the difference between permitted development and full planning permission for a concrete garage in England?
Permitted development allows many domestic garages without a full application when height, position, size and location meet the rules. Full planning permission requires a council application where limits are exceeded or protections apply. Check the rules for your address in 2026.
Which is best for a family SUV: a standard single length or an extended length concrete garage?
Extended length often suits an SUV around 4.7 m long once circulation and storage are included. A standard length may accommodate the vehicle alone. Compare the SUV, walking space and any bikes, tools or bench against internal length.
What is the difference between driveway access for your car and delivery access for the installation lorry?
A car can negotiate narrower gates, tighter bends and lower branches than a panel delivery lorry. Delivery requires sufficient width, height and turning room, plus a level stopping point. Walk the route and flag pinch points before ordering.
Which is best for overhead clearance: a pent roof or an apex roof with an up and over door?
An apex adds central internal height, but neither roof profile alone establishes door clearance. A pent may suit lower cars or tighter height limits. Compare vehicle height, accessories and mechanism travel with the clear opening and internal dimensions of each design.
What is the difference between specifying a concrete garage for parking only and specifying one for parking plus workshop use?
Parking needs vehicle space and door access. Workshop use adds bench depth, tool storage, power, lighting, ventilation and safe circulation with the car inside. Consider extra length or a double, then discuss windows, access doors and the internal layout.
Recap: Which Supplier Fits Your Buying Scenario
Go to 1st Choice Leisure Buildings first if you want showroom viewing, clear pricing and free professional assembly subject to a suitable concrete base, access and delivery conditions. Use Lidget Compton for manufacturer detail on construction and sizes.
SDS Prefabricated Buildings suits buyers seeking coverage from Bristol to Exeter and Cardiff, while White Rose Buildings offers a combined removal, base and installation option with pent and apex styles. A note of your measurements, intended use, postcode and budget is enough to start a tailored quotation.
