A domestic garage is one of the most practical investments a homeowner can make. Done well, it protects vehicles, creates usable workshop space, and adds genuine value to a property. Done poorly, it creates permit headaches, structural problems, and regrets.

Trusteel Fabrications designs and builds custom steel domestic garages across Victoria. Every structure uses Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) structural steel frames, and Trusteel manages the full process from design through to concreting.

To get a quote based on your site and use, talk to the Trusteel team.

What Is a Domestic Garage?

A domestic garage is a Class 10a non-habitable structure built to store vehicles, equipment, or to serve as a workshop. It can be attached directly to your home or built as a detached garage elsewhere on your property.

An attached garage shares at least one wall with the dwelling and may connect via an internal door. A detached garage sits separately on the block. The planning treatment differs: an attached garage can affect your home’s energy rating and fire separation requirements, while a detached garage is assessed largely on its own footprint and setbacks.

Both require a building permit in most Victorian residential zones.

Garage Styles Available from Trusteel

Trusteel offers three primary domestic garage configurations: gable, skillion, and garaport.

  • Gable garages have a pitched roof with a central ridge, creating a triangular roof profile. The higher internal volume suits double garages, workshop setups, and storage of tall vehicles like campervans or horse floats. Gable roofs also work well where the garage needs to visually complement a home with a pitched roof line.
  • Skillion garages use a single-pitched roof that slopes from a higher front wall to a lower rear wall. This suits tighter sites where overall building height is constrained. A skillion roof costs less to build than a gable and works well for single-car garages and basic covered storage.
  • Garaport garages combine an enclosed garage bay with an adjacent open-sided carport bay. This configuration suits homeowners who need covered parking for a second vehicle or a boat without enclosing the full structure. It is a practical middle ground between a full shed and a standalone carport.

RHS Steel Frames, Why They Matter for a Home Garage

Trusteel builds domestic garages using Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) structural steel frames. Most kit garages and volume shed suppliers use C-section frames instead.

C-section frames are lighter and cheaper to produce. They are adequate for a basic garden shed or light-duty storage structure in a sheltered location. For a garage built next to or attached to your home, the performance gap matters.

RHS frames are heavier, stronger, and more resistant to racking under wind load. They hold their structural integrity over decades without the fatigue that affects thinner C-section profiles. The upfront cost is higher. The service life is considerably longer.

Sizing Your Domestic Garage

Getting the size right at the planning stage avoids the most common regret in garage builds: running out of space within a year or two of completing the structure.

A single-car garage needs a minimum clear internal width of 3.5 metres and a length of 6 metres. A double garage needs at least 6 metres of clear internal width to allow both vehicles to fit with comfortable door clearance. If your garage will include a workshop or storage area alongside parking, plan for 9 metres of depth or more.

These are starting points. Trusteel designs to your specific site, access configuration, and use case rather than applying standard dimensions automatically.

Planning Permits and Building Approvals in Victoria

Under the Building Regulations 2018 (Vic), domestic garages are classified as Class 10a structures. Most garages require a building permit issued through a private building surveyor or your local council.

The exempt development thresholds in Schedule 3 of the Building Regulations 2018 apply only to very small structures. Most domestic garages exceed these thresholds, which means a permit is required regardless of whether the structure is attached or detached.

As a registered Victorian Building Authority (VBA) building practitioner, Trusteel manages the permit application on your behalf. You do not need to engage a separate registered builder or navigate council submissions independently.

Properties in Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) zones face additional requirements. Wall cladding, roof materials, and construction methods may all need to meet higher standards depending on your BAL rating. Trusteel designs to meet these requirements from the outset.

What Does a Trusteel Domestic Garage Include?

Every Trusteel domestic garage covers design, permits, fabrication, delivery, and on-site construction. Concreting is managed in-house, so you do not need to source a separate concreter.

The configurable elements include roller garage doors, personal access doors, insulation, skylights, guttering, and wall cladding via the Colorbond range. Colorbond siding is available in a full range of colours, which allows the garage to match or complement your existing home exterior.

You deal with one team across the whole project. There is no handover between a designer, a separate builder, and a concreter. One point of accountability from first call to final inspection.

To explore sizing and roof style options before speaking to the team, use our free Shed Designer to work through dimensions and configuration, or request a quote for a scope-based estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a building permit to build a domestic garage in Victoria?

Yes, most domestic garages in Victoria require a building permit. The exempt development thresholds under the Building Regulations 2018 apply to small structures, and most garages exceed them. Permit requirements can also vary by council zone and site-specific overlays. Check with your local council if you are unsure whether your specific project needs approval.

What is the difference between a gable garage and a skillion garage?

A gable garage has a pitched roof with a central ridge, providing greater internal height and volume. A skillion garage uses a single-slope roof, which suits tighter sites and lower overall building heights. Gable roofs generally suit double garages and workshop configurations. Skillion roofs work well for single-car garages where height constraints apply.

What size garage do I need for two cars and a workshop?

A double garage needs a minimum clear internal width of 6 metres for two vehicles with door clearance. Adding a dedicated workshop area requires additional depth. Plan for 9 metres or more of internal length to accommodate both parking and a functional work area without compromising either.

How much does a domestic steel garage cost?

The cost of a domestic steel garage depends on size, roof style, specification, and site conditions. Garages with RHS frames, insulation, and full permit management cost more than basic kit structures. Trusteel provides project-specific pricing after understanding your site, use case, and local permit requirements.

What is the difference between an RHS frame garage and a standard kit garage?

An RHS frame garage uses Rectangular Hollow Section structural steel, which is heavier and stronger than the C-section frames found in most kit garages. C-section frames are adequate for light-duty storage in sheltered conditions. For a garage built adjacent to or attached to your home, RHS frames offer a longer service life and greater resistance to wind loading over time.