How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? (Price Guide)

A garage is a small building, and it is priced like one. The bill covers a concrete foundation, framing, a roof, siding, one or more garage doors, and usually electrical work. Each of those can be basic or upgraded, which is why garage costs span such a wide range.

Size sets the baseline. After that, the biggest decisions are whether the garage is attached or detached, how it is built (stick framing, a prefab kit, or a metal building), and how finished you want the inside to be. Permits, site work, and local labor rates add to the total.

This Old House gives a typical price for five common garage sizes, from a small one-car building up to a three-car garage.

The jump from one car to two is the most common decision. A standard one-car garage of 240 square feet runs about $22,900, while a 400 square foot two-car garage is about $36,000. If you need storage or workshop space as well as parking, the large two-car size at 480 square feet is often worth comparing. It typically costs about $44,900.

To build a rough estimate, start with the size above that is closest to your plan. Then adjust for the choices that move the price:

1. Pick a footprint. Measure your vehicles and the space you need to open doors and walk around them, then add room for storage or a workbench.
2. Decide attached or detached. A detached garage needs four walls and its own foundation. An attached garage shares a wall with the house but has to be tied into the existing roof and meet fire-separation rules.
3. Choose a structure type. Stick-built wood framing is the norm for garages that match the house. Metal buildings and kits cost less for basic storage and parking.
4. Add finishes. Insulation, drywall, extra windows, a second door, heating, or a loft all add cost.
5. Budget for site work and permits. Grading, tree removal, a new driveway apron, and utility runs are often separate line items.

Two of the largest components are priced separately by the same source:

The slab is priced per square foot, so it scales with the footprint. A thicker slab, footings for frost depth in cold climates, or a slab built to hold a vehicle lift all cost more. Garage doors range from basic steel to insulated, windowed, or wood-look models. Two single doors usually cost more than one double door of the same total width, because there are two openers, two sets of tracks, and more framing.

Other items to expect on a quote:

• Framing lumber and labor
• Roof sheathing, underlayment, and shingles or metal roofing
• Siding and trim, often chosen to match the house
• Electrical wiring, outlets, lighting, and an opener circuit
• Gutters and downspouts
• Permit and inspection fees

A metal building is the budget route to a covered two-car space. GarageBuildings lists a starting price for a 24 by 24 foot kit, installed but without a concrete slab.

The slab is the cost that catches many buyers off guard. That kit price leaves it out, and the slab rate the seller quotes is higher than the general garage slab figure above. When you compare a metal kit with a stick-built garage, add the slab, any permit and engineering fees, and delivery to the kit price before comparing totals. Metal buildings also look different from most homes, so check your HOA rules and local zoning before ordering one.

Most of the figures on this page, including the typical two-car range, come from one source.

Because one publisher supplied most of the numbers, treat them as a planning guide rather than a local price. Actual costs may vary with regional labor rates, lumber and concrete prices, how much site prep your lot needs, and the finish level you choose. Getting itemized quotes from at least three builders is the best check.

Almost every new garage needs a building permit. Local zoning sets how close a structure can be to property lines, how tall it can be, and how much of the lot can be covered. If you are not sure where your lines are, a property survey before construction can prevent a costly mistake. HOAs may also control materials, colors, and door styles.

Attached garages carry extra code requirements, such as fire-rated drywall on the shared wall and a self-closing or fire-rated door into the house. Your builder or local building department can confirm what applies.

Experienced DIYers sometimes save labor by building a garage from a kit or plans, but the job involves concrete, structural framing, roofing, and electrical work. Most homeowners hire out at least the slab and the wiring. Electrical work usually needs a licensed electrician and an inspection, and mistakes in the slab are expensive to fix later.