A garage offers convenient storage space and vehicle protection. If you don’t have a garage, you’re probably wondering about the cost of building a garage. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Instead, the cost of building a garage varies depending on many factors.
The average cost of erecting a garage is about $27,774, with most projects ranging between $16,747 and $38,926. Homeowners can get as much as 80% return on the investment by erecting a garage. Various high-end and low-end garage designs are available for homeowners with different budgets. This guide covers all the garage-building costs you need to know.
Average Cost to Build a Garage
The type of garage, size, materials used, location, and labor cost affect custom garage construction costs. Here are some of the common factors that affect the final cost of building a garage:
By Size
Like constructing homes, garages are priced per square foot. Most contractors charge $35 to $70 per square foot for a standard garage. A 240-to-380-square-foot single-car garage costs $10,500 to $20,400. A 440 to 620-square-foot two-car garage costs $20,000 to $40,300.
A 620 to 820-square-foot three-car garage costs $30,000 to $45,000. A 400 to 1,060-square-foot four-car garage costs $32,000 to $73,900. An RV garage needs a 14-by-12-foot door and a 40-foot-deep bay. RV garages cost $36,000 to $140,000 to build.
By Type: In-site vs. Prefab
Depending on your location, a prefab garage may be cheaper than building one on-site. Most subdivisions or HOAs have building regulations, so you should comply before you start. A steel garage kit costs about $4,000 to $6,500. Prefab two-car garage starts at $5,000, compared to $24,200 for an on-site garage. It would help if you also considered foundation pouring costs.
By Material
The cost of labor and construction is highly influenced by the materials you use. Below is a breakdown of some popular building materials and cost factors.
- Cinder block garage: The cost of a cinder block garage ranges from $5,000 to more than $50,000, depending on your location and garage size. This is an ideal material, especially if you live in a location with inclement weather, frequent storms, and hurricanes.
- Brick garage: Erecting a brick garage will cost about $100 per square footage. However, the material is unpopular because it is hard to insulate.
- Brick veneered garage: This is the best option if you want a brick wall appearance but at a fraction of the cost. Brick veneer costs range from $10 to $20 per square footage.
- Stick-built garage: Stick-built garages come with prefabricated roof supports and cost anywhere between $40 and $70 per square footage.
- Metal garage: The cost of metal garages ranges from $6,000 to $22,000. It’s affordable and significantly reduces the build time. However, it may not match the aesthetics of many real estate properties.
Attached vs. Detached Garages
Consider an attached garage if you have extra space and a side door. A detached garage door is best if you don’t have enough space around your house and plan to use noisy equipment.
An attached one-car garage costs around $10,800. Sharing a wall with your house makes installing electricity much cheaper. One-car detached garages cost about $19,300. Depending on materials, size, functionality, and labor, a detached garage can cost $43,000.
Consider driveway and foundation costs when budgeting for a detached garage. The cost of building a driveway is anywhere between $2,900 and $5,500, depending on size and material.
Factors in Estimating the Cost to Build a Garage
Other factors come into play when estimating the overall cost of building a garage. Below are some of the important ones to have in mind:
Number of Garage Doors
Depending on the material, a new garage door costs $600 to $1,767, including installation. You can’t save money on aluminum or vinyl. Fiberglass and steel offer more security, curb appeal, and energy efficiency. A two-door garage costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000.
Windows
Consider adding windows or skylights to give natural light throughout the day if you spend a lot of time in your garage. Also, windows can come in handy if you want your new garage to match your home. Composite, steel, wood, and vinyl window frames are popular.
Depending on the design (single, double, and triple-pane windows), a skylight costs $650 to $3,800—one professionally installed window costs between $380 and $635.
Insulation
Insulation may be necessary if you use your garage for extensive periods or store temperature-sensitive products. Here’s a breakdown of popular insulation materials and their cost per square foot.
- Batt: $0.5 to $1.5
- Blown-in: $1 to $2
- Spray foam: $1.5 to $4
Foundation
Depending on the size, your garage’s foundation will affect project costs. Most garage foundations are made of concrete. If you’re building a small garage on a budget, use gravel. Here are the foundation materials and the per-square-foot costs:
- Gravel pad: $4 to $10
- Floating concrete: $8 to $14
- Monolithic concrete: $9 to $15.50
- Concrete block: $11.50 to $14.50
Roof
Asphalt shingles are popular, durable, and affordable for garage roofing. The cost will depend on the garage’s size, style, and extras like skylights. A garage roof costs around $1,600 to $16,000.
Here are the costs per square foot of different roofing materials:
- Modified bitumen: $1.5 to $5
- Asphalt shingles: $2 to $5
- Cedar: $4 to $10
- Metal: $5 to $20
- Clay: $10 to $20
- Tile: $7.5 to $17
Framing and Entry Door
Consider framing costs if you won’t use metal garage kits or concrete blocks. Most homeowners choose timber frames because they are lightweight, affordable, easy to use, and insulated. In addition, cinder blocks can withstand harsh weather and termites.
Including labor, garage framing costs $5 to $13 per square foot. Depending on security features, an entry door can cost $100 to $2,500.
Electrical and Wiring
Power tools, an automatic garage door, local building codes, and lighting all require electricity in the garage. Electrical wiring costs $6 to $10 per square foot or $630 to $1,930 for a standard-size garage.
Cost of Labor
Before building a garage, consider local labor costs. Labor costs average $20 to $30 per square foot or 50% to 70% of the total build cost.
Permits
Local building codes require garage inspections upon completion. Your contractor may require a building permit before starting the actual work. Separate permits may be needed for electricity, water, and heat.
Depending on your location, building permits cost between $150 and $1,500, plus HOA fees.
Other Costs to Consider When Building a Garage
When building a garage, it is wise to consider the features that will offer you the accessibility and uniqueness you need. This means an extra cost on your rough project budget.
Garage Door Opener
Manual and automatic garage door openers are available. Automatic garage doors are long-lasting and convenient. Model, brand, garage door style, and power rating affect the price. Installation costs typically range from $220 to $520 but can go as high as $825.
Accessories
Garages are often used as workspaces. Installing fridges, freezers, and all-in-one cabinet systems increases usability. Built-in cabinets cost $3,400, while a workbench costs $375 to $600.
Upgrades
If you spend much time in the garage, you may need to install HVAC, whose price range is $700 to $1,500. Plumbing costs $600 to $1,600 per fixture if you need running water.
Finishing Costs
If you want your garage to match the rest of your property, it may cost more. Drywalling and painting the interior can cost about $1.5 per square foot. Finishing costs depend on whether you want a bare-bones model or a highly customized finish with numerous additional features.
Storage
You can use a car garage as storage to declutter your home. Budget-friendly storage cabinets cost about $55. For more money, you can get a nine-piece garage cabinet system with tool drawers and overhead cabinets, among other features.
