A truck, a riding mower, a project car, the overflow that’s been living under a tarp: at some point, the driveway stops working as storage. You want a real garage, but you don’t want to spend months managing a contractor and watching the weather push the schedule.
That’s where a prefab garage comes in. Instead of building on-site from scratch, we manufacture your garage from heavy steel at our facility, then deliver it and install it on your prepared site. You get a finished, weather-tight building in a fraction of the time, with one crew handling delivery and setup.
Alan’s Factory Outlet builds custom metal garages from a single-car up to triple-wide, with free delivery and installation across our 21-state service area. You choose the dimensions, garage styles, garage doors, windows, and colors; we cut, build, and stand up your new garage for you. Below, you’ll find what a prefab garage actually is, how it stacks up against a site-built one, the sizes we offer, and what to know about your site and foundation before you order.
What Is a Prefab Garage?
A prefab garage is a garage built from steel components that are cut and fabricated in a factory, then delivered and assembled on your property. “Prefab” is short for prefabricated, which means the major parts are made before they reach your site instead of being built piece by piece in your driveway.
Our prefab metal garages are true pre-built structures. We engineer the frame, panels, and trim at our facility, then bring the steel to your prepared site, where our crew bolts it together and anchors it down. Because the components are made in a controlled shop instead of out in the elements, the cuts are consistent, the side walls line up, and there’s no weather delay baked into your garage build. You’ll also hear this building type called a modular garage, a steel garage kit, or a pre-built garage; the idea is the same. If you only need to cover a vehicle without full walls, a metal carport is the lighter option, but a prefab garage gives you enclosed, lockable space and extra storage.
Prefab Garage vs. Site-Built Garage
A site-built (or “stick-built”) garage is framed on-site by a contractor, usually in wood. Both can give you a solid garage, but they get there very differently. Steel also won’t rot, warp, or invite termites the way wood can, which is the main reason buyers weigh a metal garage versus a wood garage before deciding.
| Prefab Garages vs. Site-Built Garages: A Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prefab metal garage (from Alan’s Factory Outlet) | Site-built garage | |
| Timeline | Built in our shop and installed in a single visit once your site is ready | Framed on-site over a longer schedule that hinges on the contractor and weather |
| Cost | One quoted price for the building, delivery, and installation, with no general contractor markup | Quote plus labor, subcontractors, and materials that can shift during the build |
| Consistency | Steel cut and fabricated in a controlled facility, so parts fit the same way every time | Quality varies with the crew and site conditions |
| Installation | Delivered and installed free across our 21-state service area | You arrange and pay separate trades |
| Warranty | 20-year warranty on 12-gauge orders | Varies by contractor |
Prefab Garage Sizes and Configurations
Our regular-roof prefab garages run from compact single-car buildings to wide triple-wide models, in 32 size combinations. The right garage design comes down to how many vehicles you’re covering and what else shares the space. Here are the common configurations and what they suit. Our metal garage prices depend on size and options.
| Which Prefab Garage Is Right for You? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Typical sizes | Good for |
 Single-car garage | 12×20 to 18×35 | One vehicle, a workshop, or focused storage space |
 Two-car garage (2-car) | 18×20 to 24×35 | Two vehicles, or one vehicle plus tools and a work area |
 Three-car (3-car) / triple-wide garage | 26×20 to 30×35 | Multiple vehicles, equipment, or a combined garage and shop |
Prefer to handle assembly yourself? Our DIY metal garage kits ship the pre-cut steel to your door.
Site Prep & Permits
A prefab garage only goes up as smoothly as the site you put it on. Here’s what to square away before your garage is delivered.
 Site preparation Your spot should be level and clear. Most buyers set their garage on a compacted gravel pad or a concrete slab; a slab is the sturdier, longer-term base, especially for wider garages and anything holding heavy equipment. Leave room around the building and a clear path for delivery. |  Permits Rules vary by county, so check with your local building department before you order. Many areas require a permit for a permanent detached garage; in Wake County, North Carolina, for example, any accessory building larger than 12 feet needs a building permit. Some areas also set how close you can build to a property line or driveway. |
Why Alan’s Factory Outlet Is the Better Buy
We’ve helped homeowners and business owners get the covered space they need since 2003, with a focus on durability and everyday functionality. Here’s what comes with every prefab metal garage:
- Family-owned and U.S.-made, with custom designs built to your dimensions and options
- Free delivery and installation across our 21-state service area
- A refundable deposit to order, with the balance due on delivery
- A 20-year warranty on 12-gauge orders
- Built from quality materials, with high-quality steel and the same craftsmanship and workmanship on every order
- A free 3D builder so you can design your garage and see it before you buy
With a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating across more than 3,500 reviews, you’re ordering from a garage builder thousands of customers already trust.
Build Your Prefab Metal Garage
You know the size you need, where it’s going, and how a prefab metal garage beats waiting months on a site-built one. The last step is making it yours. Use our free 3D builder to pick your dimensions, garage doors, colors, and options, see your custom garage from every angle, and order with a refundable deposit. We’ll build it and install it free in our 21-state service area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to build a garage or buy a prefab one?
For most buyers, a prefab metal garage costs less than hiring a contractor to build one on-site, because the steel is fabricated in our shop and the price already includes delivery and installation. You’re not paying separate labor, subcontractor, and material markups. Exact cost depends on the size and options you pick.
Are prefab garages more affordable than site-built garages?
Generally, yes. A pre-built metal garage skips the on-site framing labor and the general contractor markup that come with a stick-built garage, and our pricing bundles in free delivery and installation. The bigger the building, the more those savings tend to add up.
What kind of foundation does a prefab garage need?
A level base is the main requirement. A compacted gravel pad works for many garages, while a concrete slab gives you the sturdiest, most permanent foundation, especially for wider or heavily used buildings. Your site should be level and clear before delivery.
How is a prefab metal garage delivered and installed?
We deliver your finished garage to your prepared site and install it free anywhere in our 21-state service area. Our crew sets the building, secures the panels, and anchors it in a single visit, so you don’t have to coordinate separate delivery and installation.
What sizes do prefab metal garages come in?
Our regular-roof garages come in 32 size combinations, from compact single-car buildings around 12 feet wide up to triple-wide models 30 feet wide. You can fit one vehicle, several vehicles, or a mix of parking, storage space, and a workshop.
Do I need a permit for a prefab garage?
Often, yes. A permanent detached garage usually requires a building permit, and the rules vary by county. Check with your local building department about permits and setbacks before you order so your site is ready for delivery.
