You’re standing in your driveway, staring at that empty patch of land beside your home. You’ve been thinking about adding a garage but one question stops you cold.
Will it actually increase your property value?
You’re not alone. Many homeowners wrestle with the same dilemma. Prefab garages look like a quick win, affordable, fast to install, and great for extra storage. But uncertainty about return on investment (ROI) keeps people from taking the leap. Will buyers care? Will it pay off if you sell next year? Or is it just another sunk cost?
This guide breaks through the guesswork.
You’ll discover exactly how much value a prefab garage can add, how to calculate your personal ROI, and what smart upgrades turn a simple structure into a true equity booster. Whether you’re improving curb appeal or preparing to sell, these insights will help you make a confident, data-backed decision.
Prefab Garage ROI at a Glance
- Typical value bump: Most homes see about 5–15% higher value when a well-matched garage is added. Attached garages alone are often cited around ~10% in value lift, depending on neighborhood norms.
- Cost recoup at resale: Homeowners commonly recoup ~65–85% of total installed cost for a garage addition, with results varying by location and build quality.
- Context matters: Smaller, high-impact upgrades like a garage door replacement can outperform big builds, with recent Cost-vs-Value analyses showing ~190% ROI nationwide useful if you want a faster, lower-cost boost.
Takeaway: A properly sized, well-finished prefab garage adds daily utility now and measurable equity later, often returning a strong share of your investment when you sell.
Why ROI Matters for Homeowners Ready to Invest
When you add a prefab garage, you’re not just buying another building you’re investing in your home’s future. A well-added garage offers both extra functionality today and stronger equity tomorrow.
Here are key reasons why the return on investment (ROI) matters:
Dual Win: Functionality + Equity
- A garage adds convenient space for parking, storage, workshops or even a gym.
- At the same time, real-estate data shows that homes with garages tend to sell faster and for more. For example, homes with garages can see a value increase of 10-15% in certain markets.
- In short: you use the space now and gain an asset that appeals to future buyers.
Rising Buyer Demand for Garage and Storage Spaces
- Surveys show a strong preference for homes with garages or robust storage.
- As lifestyle trends shift (remote work, hobbies, EV charging, outdoor gear), buyers place more value on flexible spaces like a garage.
- This means your investment isn’t just about what you like today, it’s about what buyers will want tomorrow.
Why this matters for you
- If you’re investing in your property, you want upgrades that pay off.
- If you’re preparing to sell in the next few years, you want features that will improve your sale price and reduce time on market.
- For everyday homeowners, it’s about making your home more usable and pleasant while ensuring you won’t lose value when you move on.
- By understanding ROI, you can make smarter decisions: right size, right quality, right finish.
Cost vs Value: How to Measure Your Prefab Garage ROI
When you’re considering a prefab garage, you’ll want simple ways to measure its return on investment (ROI). Here’s how:
Use your total installed cost as a baseline
Start with the amount you spend to purchase and install the garage including delivery, site prep, foundation (if required), materials, and labor. For example, a typical garage installation cost is about $28,000.
Typical ROI ranges by garage type
- Adding a garage can increase home value by $12,750 to $33,200, which aligns with about 75% to 85% of the cost recouped at resale.
- A detached garage you might expect up to a 5% increase in property value, though size and quality matter.
Simple ROI formula
(Value Added − Cost) ÷ Cost × 100 = ROI %
Example: If you spent $30,000 and the added value is estimated at $20,000:
($20,000 − $30,000) ÷ $30,000 = −0.333 → −33.3% (not ideal)
But if you estimate $30,000 cost and a $24,000 value increase:
($24,000 − $30,000) ÷ $30,000 = −0.20 → −20% (still not recouped fully)
So you want value added to be as close to cost (or exceeding it) as possible.
Why the numbers vary
- Location, market demand, and neighborhood expectations shift value up or down.
- Garage size and finishes alter costs and added value.
- Attach-vs-detached matters: attached tends to cost less and recoup more.
- Condition of the rest of the property: if home needs many upgrades, ROI may drop.
Prefab Garage Cost and ROI Breakdown
| Garage Size / Type | Typical Installed Cost* (CAD) | Estimated Added Home Value | Approximate ROI % |
| Single-car basic prefab (≈12′×20′) | $15,000 – $30,000 (kit plus install) | +$10,000 – $20,000 | ~60 %-70 % |
| Single-car modest upgrade (finished) | $37,000 – $55,000 | +$25,000 – $40,000 | ~65 %-80 % |
| Double-car prefab / mid-range | $87,000 – $103,000 | +$60,000 – $90,000 | ~70 %-90 % |
| Detached garage build (Canada wide) | Costs vary, but prefab cost ~$24-$43/ft² | Value increase ~10-15% in some cities (e.g., Edmonton) | ~75 %-80 % in favourable cases |
Top Factors That Influence ROI
When you add a prefab garage, not all the value comes automatically; several key factors determine how much return you’ll actually get.
Location and Neighborhood Expectations
Where you live matters. If parking is scarce, homes with garages tend to sell for more. In areas with harsh weather or lots of street parking, buyers give more weight to a proper garage.
Likewise, if the home is in a high-end neighborhood, the expectation might be for a premium or matching structure which raises cost and risk.
Garage Size, Materials, and Finishes
A two-car garage typically adds more value than a single‐car one.
High quality materials, good insulation, and finishes that match the home boost appeal and buyer confidence.
Conversely, a cheap build or mismatched style can reduce perceived value.
Integration with Home Design and Curb Appeal
A garage that fits the home’s architecture and enhances curb appeal helps sell faster and at a higher price.
If the garage looks tacked-on or out of style, it may not add much value or could even detract.
Market Timing and Buyer Priorities
Recent remodeling cost surges and changing buyer preferences can shift ROI. If many homes in your area already have garages, your “added” value may be smaller. Conversely, if garages are rare or in demand, you could see higher ROI.
Also, if you build now and plan to sell later, the buyer market might value different features by then so timing matters.
Real-World ROI Examples
Let’s look at real-life scenarios of adding a prefab garage in Canada, to help you see how ROI can play out in practice.
Case 1: Suburban Home (Ontario)
A detached two-car garage built for approximately $55,000. Resale bump estimated at around $33,500.
→ That’s about a 61% cost recoup, showing how a well-executed garage addition can add serious value.
Case 2: Rural Property (Alberta)
In a market where space is more plentiful and garages are highly desired, one source notes a detached prefab garage can boost home value by 10-15% when placed intelligently.
→ On a $500,000 home, that means a value boost of $50,000-$75,000 (assuming build costs are moderate).
Case 3: Compact Urban Lot (Greater Toronto Area)
Given high land and build costs, a mid-range garage addition (costing $60,000-$80,000) achieves ROI in the range of 60-75% when formatted properly for the market.
→ The key: fitting with high demand in urban markets where parking and storage are premium.
How to Maximize Your Return
If you’re in Canada and plan to invest in a prefab garage, here are proven strategies to boost your ROI not just build it, but make it pay off.
Prioritize High-Impact Upgrades
- Replace the garage door. In Ontario, upgrading a door often achieves 85-98% return on cost.
- Insulate and finish the space. In Southern Ontario, finishing walls/ceiling can yield ~70-80% ROI for upgrades in the garage.
- Add functional extras like electrical wiring, good lighting, storage systems these increase utility and buyer appeal.
Avoid Over-Customization or Poor Fit
- Don’t overspend on highly specialized features when the local market doesn’t pay for them. One Toronto study showed typical ROI around 50-60% for garage additions .
- Match the garage’s design to your home and neighbourhood. A mismatch can reduce the perceived value.
Highlight the Garage in Listings & Photos
- Emphasize how the garage adds usable space e.g., for a home-gym, storage, EV-charging. Buyers in markets like Canada value functional spaces.
- Showcase curb appeal: a clean, well-finished garage exterior boosts first impressions.
Choosing the Right Prefab Garage Partner
When it comes to prefab garages, choosing the right building partner is the single biggest factor in your ROI. At Metal Pro Buildings, we’ve seen firsthand how quality materials, certified engineering, and professional guidance directly influence the long-term value of your investment.
Built for Canadian Conditions
Every Metal Pro structure is engineered and certified for Canada’s climate. From the heavy snowfalls of Alberta to the coastal humidity of Nova Scotia, our Galvalume steel buildings are designed to last. This ensures your prefab garage remains strong, safe, and virtually maintenance-free for decades, a key component of real, sustained ROI.
Certified Materials, Proven Strength
We use 100% commercial-grade Galvalume® steel, known for its corrosion resistance and exceptional durability. Each building is backed by engineering drawings certified to Canadian standards. That means peace of mind and a structure that holds both its function and resale value over time.
Fast, Flexible, and Tailored to You
Metal Pro prefab garages are precision-engineered for efficient assembly, allowing homeowners to save significantly on construction time and labour costs. Whether you need a single-car, double-car, or custom workshop, every design can be tailored to your property’s size, look, and intended use enhancing both curb appeal and resale value.
Proven Expertise Across Canada
With thousands of successful installations nationwide, Metal Pro Buildings has become a trusted name in prefab steel construction. Our team supports every step from design consultation to delivery ensuring homeowners make confident, ROI-driven decisions backed by real-world performance.
Ready to Build Long-Term Value?
Start your project with confidence.
Get your free prefab garage quote and see how much value your new structure could add to your property.
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