How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage?

Factors to Consider When Building a Garage

The most important factors determining the cost of building a garage are the garage size, labor fees depending on your geographic location, and whether it's attached or detached from your home.

Size

1-Car Garage

The most basic garage typically measures 12 to 16 feet wide and 20 to 24 feet long. The average cost to build a one-car garage ranges between $10,500 and $27,000. For a one-and-a-half-car unit providing a little extra storage space, a basic build could cost up to $32,000.

2-Car Garage

Building a double garage costs about $14,500 to $40,300. These are 22 to 26 feet wide and 20 to 24 feet long.

3-Car Garage

These are a bit pricier. The average cost for a basic 31 to 34 feet wide three-car garage ranges from $28,200 to $57,100.

4-Car Garage

A four-car garage typically ranges from $32,000 to $73,900. Adding HVAC, plumbing, and a workshop could raise the price to over $100,000.

RV Garage

To house RVs, you’ll need a door no less than 14 feet wide and 12 feet high, and a single bay at least 40 feet deep. Prices can range from around $36,000 to $140,000. If you need electricity and plumbing, the price will go up.

Location and Labor

Labor can make up at least 50% of garage construction costs, and labor prices will differ by location. You’ll also need a permit to build your garage, with the cost for a building permit varying depending on your location. Budget $1,200 to $1,500 for the permit so you can build your garage.

Attached or Detached Garage

If you're building a garage attached to your existing home, expect to pay 10% to 15% less than the cost of a detached garage. You'll see some of these savings add up when you install electricity and plumbing in your garage since running the pipes and wiring to a structure is often more cost effective.

However, a detached garage can give you more flexibility in your garage size and style. Some homeowners also like detached garages because they keep car fumes farther from the house. If you're building a detached garage, the garage type can significantly affect costs. At the low end, prices start from around $29 per square foot, including materials and labor, while at the high end, expect to pay upwards of $120 per square foot.

Brick or Brick Veneer Detached Garage 

Expect to pay $27 to $45 per square foot for the cost of brick walls to build a garage. Building solid brick walls is a labor-intensive process, and the bricks themselves don't have any real insulating value.

For a more economical and practical brick look, you could opt for a brick veneer wall over the top of a wood or metal frame instead. Also known as wythe, these are typically 4-inch-thick bricks costing between $10 and $30 per square foot. A thinner brick veneer (around 1 inch) typically costs $5 to $15 per square foot and is less heavy than wythe. If your home has brick siding, you can select a veneer for your garage to match.

Stick-Built Wood Detached Garage

If you want to go with a unique shape or traditional carpentry, you might choose to have your garage stick-built with a lumber frame on-site, particularly if your home has the same type of construction. This framing style typically costs $60 to $120 per square foot, including labor.

Pole Barn Frame Detached Garage

Pole barn frames are a more economical option than stick-built frames because they’re prefabricated off-site and the garage takes less time to construct overall. You can expect to pay between $40 and $85 per square foot for a pole barn-framed garage. 

Metal Detached Garage

You can build metal garages faster than wood- or brick-framed constructions, but the finished structure may lack cohesiveness with your home. Also, you can't get a permit for these types of structures in every neighborhood, so you'll need to check with your municipality. Expect to pay between $3,000 and $11,000 for a metal DIY garage kit, excluding labor.

Cinder Block Detached Garage 

Cinder block walls are popular in areas prone to hurricanes or termites because they're durable and easy to cover with siding or stucco. Expect to pay between $29 to $62 per square foot, including labor.

Garage Cost Factors by Construction Type

When calculating the cost of building a garage, you'll need to plan for various line items. Each of these projects may require a different contractor or subcontractor.

• Foundation prices: Concrete garage slabs cost $2,000 to $7,000 to install.

• Framing prices: Since garages are usually simple to build, expect to pay about $4 to $5 per square foot.

• Roofing installation costs: Plan for $1,000 to $2,000 for a standard garage.

• Window prices: If you want natural light, expect to pay $300 to $2,100 per window, depending on the materials, size, and style.

• Insulation prices: If you’ll be working in your garage, consider adding insulation to keep you warm in cooler temperatures. It costs between $1 and $5 per square foot. Keep in mind that attached garages only need the outside walls insulated.

• Gutter prices: Rain gutters offer protection against the elements, with aluminum gutters costing about $20 per linear foot. 

• Electrical wiring costs: Your new garage will need electric wiring, especially if you want an automatic garage door opener. It’ll cost between $1,000 and $2,500 to run electricity to a detached garage.

Additional Costs 

Some other costs might add up in your garage project. 

Door Opener

Installing a garage door opener costs between $220 and $520 on average and up to $825. Expect to pay $150 to $500 for parts, plus $65 to $85 per hour for labor. The final price largely depends on the selected system’s brand, model, and horsepower rating.

Finishing Costs

A finished garage feels like an extension of your home. You can achieve this through flooring and painting the drywall, along with temperature control and lighting. The costs vary considerably depending on whether you opt for a bare-bones model or a high-quality finish with an insulated interior, electricity, HVAC, and running water. Adding windows or a separate entrance or specifying better roofing or designer doors will all add to the total build cost.

Accessories

There are endless options for accessorizing your garage. Some shelving systems cost around $200, and a steel pegboard to store tools costs less than $100. 

Benefits of Building a Garage

A garage can add so much functionality to your home. Here are four common benefits of building a new garage.

Storage Space

If your closets are overflowing, even a one-car garage can be outfitted with shelves, creating much-needed storage space. You can install shelves on the walls and even on the ceiling. Organize your items in bins for quick and easy access, allowing you to declutter your home. 

Added Value

A garage can increase your home's value, adding between $12,750 and $33,150. Typically, you'll get about 75% to 85% of your investment back when you sell your home, making it an attractive upgrade for homeowners and a draw for prospective buyers. 

Protects Vehicles

Whether you have a compact car or RV, parking your vehicle in a garage can protect it from the elements, including sun exposure, dust, dirt, rain, or hail. 

Workshop Space

Many people outfit their garage to double as a space for passion projects or necessary repairs. With a few modifications, you can turn your garage into a space for your creativity. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

You could save up to 50% of the cost by doing the build yourself, but this is a complex, time-consuming project and not one to tackle unless you have solid building experience. Mistakes could prove costly and unsafe.

Taking on certain parts of the build yourself may be a better option to help save money. For example, drywalling or painting are tasks that a confident DIY-er could tackle more easily, leaving more complex tasks to a pro by hiring a foundation installation pro near you.