How Much To Build A Garage?

Building a garage can significantly improve the convenience of living in your home and boost your house’s resale value.

Figuring our a realistic cost of build a garage that fits your needs is one of the most important parts of the project. It helps ensure you stay within your budget, leaving room for additional improvements and paying for permits.

If you are ready to renovate your garage, contact your local flooring pros for FREE ESTIMATES!

Average Cost Of Building A Garage

On average, building a garage costs approximately $32-$54 per square foot.

Some of the biggest factors influencing the cost to build a new garage are the dimensions, finish, and type of construction, such as whether it’s attached to the house or detached.

In most cases, 2-car garages are 400-550 square feet large and cost between $18,000 and $26,000 to build.

Garage Type	Average Cost
Attached	$12,000
Detached	$24,000
Pre-fabricated	$4,500
RV	$65,000

Garage Building Materials Cost Breakdown

Much of your cost to build a garage depends on materials. The unit consists of several layers.

Garage Components	Cost per Square Foot
Frame	$6-$12
Roof	$1-$18
Siding	$0.50-$13.50
Foundation	$3-$13
Insulation	$0.50-$3
Drywall	$1-$2
Gutters	$2.50-$10

Frame

The frame is the most important part of building a garage, so you’ll need to pick this material carefully.

Concrete/cinder blocks and wood are the most popular garage frame options.

Concrete blocks are sturdier and more convenient, but they’re also more expensive ($9-12 per square foot). Install them if you want to eliminate the risk of rot or termites, both of which are common in humid climates.

Concrete blocks can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, and other extreme conditions more easily.

A wooden garage frame is cheaper ($6-11 per square foot) but less durable.

Wood is susceptible to termites, rot, and many other threats. As a result, you may need to replace your garage frame just months after the installation if you opt for this material.

Roof

Most garages come with asphalt roofs. Shingles are the most cost-efficient option, but you can choose from various materials to match your house and neighborhood.

Here’s basic information about garage roofs and their average prices.

• Modified bitumen ($1-$4.50 per square foot) – This is an asphalt-based material that works great with flat roofs. It normally lasts between 10 and 15 years.
• Asphalt shingles ($1.50-$4 per square foot) – This is the most common garage roof material, as it comes in numerous colors and styles. The lifespan is 20-30 years.
• Cedar ($3.50-$9 per square foot) – Cedar can come in different forms, including boards, shingles, and shakes. Maintained properly, it can serve you great for over 50 years.
• Metal ($4.50-$18 per square foot) – Metal is one of the most robust garage roof materials, featuring a lifespan of up to a century. You can mount aluminum, tin, lead, or copper solutions.
• Thermoplastic polyolefin ($6-$10 per square foot) – This is an affordable, rubber-like material that lasts for about 40 years. However, installing it can be tricky.
• Tile ($7-$15 per square foot) – Tile is a long-lasting and low-maintenance garage roof solution. Like thermoplastic polyolefin, installing it is challenging, which can increase the cost.
• Clay ($9-$18 per square foot) – Clay is just as durable as metal, making it perfect for harsh climates. It’s also available in various styles and shapes.

Pro Tip: Look for class 4 impact-resistant shingles if you decide to mount asphalt onto your garage roof. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are costlier, but they can come out of hailstorms virtually unscathed.

Siding

You can build your garage siding the same way as your roof, by finding a material that matches your house.

Alternatively, go for aluminum, vinyl, or other cheap siding materials if you’re building on a budget. This isn’t a good idea if your area is prone to storms.

High winds and hail can easily damage your garage siding, so consider investing in a high-quality solution.

Some of your best garage siding options are stucco, brick, and stone.

Below is the cost of each siding material.

• Vinyl – $0.50-$3 per square foot
• Aluminum – $3-$6 per square foot
• Wood – $2-$9 per square foot
• Engineered wood – $2-$7 per square foot
• Brick – $10-$13.50 per square foot
• Fiber cement – $5-$9 per square foot

Stone – $10-$13.50 per square foot

Foundation

Your region determines the foundation you’ll need for building your garage.

If you live in a freezing area, you’ll need to build a complex, sturdier material, such as block or monolithic structures for your garage foundation. The reason is simple – these materials have reliable frost protection.

Another factor you should consider when building your garage foundation is your soil.

For instance, a floating structure is ill-advised if the topsoil is prone to shifting.

As for strength, you’ll hardly find a tougher material than concrete.

The main downside of concrete is that it’s expensive, so you may need to switch to gravel for the foundation to lower your cost to build a garage.

Bear in mind that gravel foundations are only compatible with small, detached garages.

Coming up is a breakdown of garage foundation prices.

• Concrete block – $10-$13 per square foot
• Monolithic concrete – $8-$12 per square foot
• Floating concrete – $7-$12 per square foot
• Gravel pad – $3-$9 per square foot

Insulation

You might decide to store temperature-sensitive objects in your garage. But even if you just want to spend a lot of time in it, you need high-quality insulation, especially in cold regions.

Conversely, you don’t need insulation if you’ll use your garage just for parking your car or if your area is warmer (unless the garage is air-conditioned). It would be an unnecessary expense.

If you choose to insulate the garage, you’ll be able to choose from various types. Depending on the manufacturer and contractor, your options may include blown-in insulation, spray foam insulation, and batt insulation.

• Blown-in – $0.50-$1.25 per square foot
• Spray foam – $1-$3 per square foot
• Batt – $0.50-$1 per square foot

Drywall

Interior garage finish is an optional project. It doesn’t matter whether you leave your garage walls unpainted or paint them, as it shouldn’t impact the area’s structural integrity.

This does not mean you should skip drywall installation. Some building codes even mandate that you must mount drywall to increase fire resistance.

Drywall costs between $1 and $2 per square foot.

Gutters

Mounting gutters around your garage is not paramount, but it’s helpful. These units catch water and redirect it away from your building and landscaping.

Having gutters on your garage reduces the chance of mold, foundation damage, and other types of harm.

Installing gutters shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket. They only constitute a small portion of the total budget, and they’re well worth the price.

You can typically choose from aluminum ($4-$10 per linear foot) and vinyl gutters ($2.5-$5.5 per linear foot).

Pro Tip: If you want to mount gutters on your own, always place your ladder on dry ground. Putting it on wet grass or snow is a disaster waiting to happen.

Labor Cost To Build A Garage

As building a garage is an extensive project, it requires multiple types of laborers. You need to mount the walls, roof, electrical, foundation, and many other components.

Labor costs can amount to more than 50%-70% of the total price.

Prefab vs Site-Built Garage Cost

The quickest and cheapest way to construct a garage is to purchase a steel or prefabricated garage. It’s much more affordable than building a garage from scratch.

For example, two-car prefab garages usually start in the $4,500 price range. If you want to buy a steel prefab kit, you’ll need to pay around $5,000.

You might be able to build a custom 1-car garage for a similar price. Homeowners’ associations and subdivisions often have clauses that prevent you from adding another manufactured garage.

Cost To Build An Attached Garage

There are several differences between attached and detached garages.

Primarily, attached constructions are connected to your house by one of the walls. You can access your home directly from there.

By contrast, detached garages are free-standing (entirely separate from your abode).

Attached garages are typically less expensive because the contractors need to build fewer walls. The final price hinges on your driveway pavement, interior finishing, and many other factors.

You also need to consider whether your local laws permit you to expand your property with a garage.

If everything checks out, one-car attached garages generally cost between $6,750 and $10,500. The average cost of a two-car attached garage is about $17,000.

Cost To Build A Detached Garage

The average price of constructing detached garages starts at approximately $13,000 for low-end projects. By contrast, high-end buildings can go for $35,000, putting the average cost at around $24,000.

As the work is performed from the ground up, detached garages are costlier than building attached garages.

The cost to build a detached garage depends on the garage dimensions and whether or not you decide to incorporate an apartment above. In this case, you’ll need to mount new electrical, plumbing fixtures, and an HVAC unit. Additionally, you might need to install a door so you can enter the apartment from your garage, plus a second means of egress.

Cost To Build An RV Garage

RV garages are custom constructions that are more expensive than standard garages due to their larger size.

More specifically, RV garages are higher than regular garages because they need to fit bigger vehicles.

The minimum door height of an RV garage is generally between 12 and 14 feet, whereas the length is 40-50 feet. You may need to install additional power hookups and sewer lines, which further raise the price.

Building an RV garage with cheap materials normally costs between $30,000 and $32,000. If you use high-end materials, you may need to spend upwards of $100K.

How Much Does It Cost To Build An Unfinished Garage?

Building an unfinished garage is easier than constructing one from scratch. You only need to perform certain tasks, such as painting ($1.35 per square foot). You may also need to mount your cabinets, but this shouldn’t be too expensive either.

How Much Does It Cost To Remodel A Garage?

Most homeowners spend about $5,400-$20,000 to remodel their garage.

Pro Tip: When remodeling a garage, consider lofting the area. It serves as a second attic, and you can even turn the area into another bedroom. Be sure to consider adequate ventilation.

Cost To Build A Garage With Living Quarters

The price of constructing living quarters above the garage varies, starting at approximately $90 per square foot.

Building an apartment with a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom above a garage can cost anywhere from $45,000 to $225,000.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 1-Car Garage?

You’ll typically need around $12,500 to construct a 1-car garage.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 2-Car Garage?

A 2-car garage generally goes for $18,000.

How Much Does It Cost to Build A 2-Car Garage Yourself?

You can save a lot of money by constructing a 2-car garage yourself. More specifically, the cost is around $9,000-$10,000.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 3-Car Garage?

On average, building a 3-car garage costs $35,000.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 24-Foot-By-24-Foot Garage?

You need about $25,000 to build a 24 x 24 garage.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 24×30 Garage?

Most people need approximately $33K to construct a 24 x 30 garage.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 20×20 Garage?

A 20 x 20 garage usually costs $18,500 to build.

How Much Does It Cost To Build A 30 By 30 Garage?

Average 30 x 30 garages are priced at $39,000.

Garage Size	Average Cost
20 x 20	$18,500
24 x 24	$25,000
24 x 30	$33,000
30 x 30	$39,000
1-car	$12,500
2-car	$18,000
3-car	$35,000

Cost To Build A Garage: DIY vs Hiring A Professional

DIY garage construction is a money-saving process, but it’s also prone to error. You’re more likely to build crooked walls or install electrical incorrectly. The consequences can be severe.

Stick to professionals when building a new garage. They’ll get the job right the first time around.

How To Save Money On The Cost To Build A Garage

There are many ways to save money when building a new garage.

Construct to size

Only build the size you’ll use rather than construct a workshop or other areas you won’t use.

Avoid skylights or windows

These can make the price soar. Instead, mount windows directly into your garage door.

Mount DIY cabinets and shelves

You can reduce labor fees by mounting storage accessories yourself.

Choose asphalt shingles

Tile and metal roofs are pricier, so go for a cheaper solution, such as three-tab asphalt shingles.

Do Garages Add Value To A Home?

A garage can dramatically boost the value of your home.

They provide secure storage for your equipment and vehicles. You can use the area as your workshop, and it can increase your property’s curb appeal.

Do I Need A New Garage?

Since building a garage is expensive, you might be reconsidering your decision to construct one.

However, the benefits of building a garage outweigh the costs.

Whether you want to use the area to store vehicles or for other purposes, you’ll raise the value and utility of your property.

Additionally, you’ll be able to sell your place more easily.

A Large But Smart Investment

You need a high budget to build a garage.

It might be tempting to use the cheapest materials, but be wary.

Poor construction doesn’t last very long, so if possible, opt for high-quality solutions. You’ll get more value for your money.