Near Radom we are just starting construction of a workshop for a transport and forwarding fleet. In this article we show what dimensions a workshop needs, how much it costs and what you need to plan at the design stage.
Car workshop from 200 m²
A classic car workshop typically needs:
- 2–4 bays with vehicle lifts (approx. 25–30 m² per bay),
- a diagnostic area (a diagnostic lane is approx. 25 m²),
- a parts and tyre store: 30–50 m²,
- an office and reception: 20–30 m²,
- toilets and a staff room: approx. 15 m².
In practice, a comfortable car workshop needs about 200–375 m² of usable floor area. A height of 4–4.5 m is enough for two-post lifts and comfortable work under a raised vehicle. We choose the exact dimensions individually for the plot and the number of bays. The price of such an insulated building (sandwich panels, sectional door, personnel door) starts from approx. PLN 250,000 net – excluding workshop equipment.
HGV workshop – this is where large buildings begin.
An HGV is a completely different scale. A standard articulated tractor unit + semi-trailer is about 16.5 m long, and a refrigerated trailer can be up to 4 m high. To drive the vehicle in, service it from all sides and reverse it out freely, you need:
- a usable length of at least 20 m,
- a width of 16–22 m (two parallel bays + drive-through lane),
- a clear height of 6 m (column lift + raised wheel),
- an entrance door of at least 4.5 × 5 m.
Our latest project near Radom is exactly this kind of building. The 22×18×6 m steel workshop building for a transport and forwarding company can be extended with further service bays or a wash module. Adding one modular frame makes the building “grow” by another 6 m in length – a fundamental advantage of our IPE I-beam system. You don't start a second investment, you simply extend the first.
HGV wash – what else to plan
An HGV wash requires structural preparation from the very beginning, because converting an ordinary building into a wash is usually uneconomical. You need to plan for:
- a reinforced floor slab with drains and an oil separator,
- mechanical ventilation (vapour and spray require constant air exchange),
- water heating (boiler room or heat pump),
- special moisture-resistant cladding – PIR-core sandwich panels are much better than trapezoidal sheet here,
- high-speed doors – they save heat and operator time.
An HGV wash requires a tunnel of suitable length and height – we determine the exact dimensions at the design stage, taking into account the vehicle type and yard layout. We often combine the wash and the workshop under one roof: one module with 4 entrances – 2 service bays and 1 wash tunnel with a chemical store in the corner. This layout optimises the cost of foundations, utilities and permits.
Why is an HGV workshop a good business?
As a steel building manufacturer, we see it clearly: HGV workshops are clients who build larger buildings, plan further ahead and more often come back for extensions. Owners of such service centres confirm that the hourly margin in HGV servicing is higher than for cars, and the customer (the fleet) is more loyal – the jobs are regular, scheduled and predictable. For a farmer with a machinery fleet, a transport company or a mechanic expanding their business, an HGV workshop building is an investment that pays for itself within a few years of operation.
Steel building for a car workshop – how much does it all cost?
The cost of a workshop building depends on many factors – floor area, scope of equipment, cladding type and the degree of preparation for specific work processes. You can get an exact quote in our configurator or by calling +48 780 770 705.
We will advise on dimensions and tell you whether a building “from stock” will do or whether it is better to design a made-to-order one for specific work processes. We will also help you choose an extension module for the future – so that your first workshop doesn't rule out a second bay in another 2–3 years.
FAQ
These are prefabricated structural components of a building, already held in the manufacturer's stock, which can quickly be allocated to a specific investment. This reduces the waiting time associated with fabricating a structure from scratch.
Yes. We offer modular steel structures available from stock, designed for self-assembly. We supply a complete set of components with documentation and instructions, so erection can be carried out by a local contractor.
Can a ready-made steel structure be adapted to the investor's needs?
Yes. The available structures can serve as the basis for a building with a specific purpose, e.g. warehousing, production or agriculture. The key is to match the structural parameters to the building's dimensions, location and intended use.
What are the main advantages of a ready-made steel structure?
The biggest benefit is a shorter investment process. The investor does not have to wait for the full fabrication cycle of the steel components, can secure the structure against material price changes earlier and can move on to the next stages of the project sooner.
Who is a ready-made steel building a good solution for?
It is particularly beneficial for companies and farms that need to increase their storage, production or usable space quickly. It works especially well when the start date of the investment is of great business importance.
