How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage?

A garage is one of those coveted home features that not only adds to your daily comfort but can increase the value of your home as well.

Building a garage costs $50 per square foot on average, though it varies by location, size, and materials. Homeowners typically pay between $16,800 and $39,000 on the project. A single-car garage can cost anywhere from $10,500 to $27,000, a double-car garage costs between $14,500 and $40,300, and a triple-car or larger will cost $57,000 plus.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage per Square Foot?

For most garages, a new basic build costs $40 to $70 per square foot. You might spend anywhere between $120 to $200 per square foot for higher-end garages that include additional storage or plumbing, but it can be a smart investment for homeowners.

“If you’re thinking about adding a garage, especially a detached garage, consider building a second floor with walk-up stairs to add value,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “Now you have additional free storage or a future apartment or gym.”

For a basic, one-car attached garage, you’ll pay between $10,500 and $27,000. A two-car garage costs between $15,000 and $40,000 on average. However, for a two-and-a-half-car garage, which provides vehicle space plus an extra work/storage space, it can cost between $20,800 and $52,000.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage Near You?

There are so many exciting possibilities for a garage space. Need a home gym or workshop? There you go. Art studio? Bam. Not to mention the extra storage space or home to the all-mighty extra fridge that allows you to buy groceries in bulk.

Whatever its intended use, the national average cost to build a new garage is about $28,000, but prices vary from one state to another.

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost to build a garage in different states:

• California: $44,200

• Washington: $21,700

• Utah: $25,000

• Texas: $30,000

• Missouri: $14,600

• Illinois: $17,300

• New York: $26,000

• Florida: $34,000

• New Hampshire: $36,000

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage Yourself?

If you’d like a new DIY project, the cost of building a simple garage runs between $5,000 and $25,000 for the material—since you’ll save on labor rate, which makes up 60% of the total cost.

Although it might be tempting to build your own garage, this project is complex. If you’re not an expert, you need to consider that one mistake can cost you more than hiring a pro from the get-go.

In addition, building a garage comes with many details like designing, planning, and obtaining permits, that are best for a pro to handle. Consult with local garage builders near you for more information.

Building a Garage Cost Breakdown

The average cost for building a basic garage is $28,000 or $50 per square foot. Here’s a breakdown of what the total cost of building a garage looks like.

General Contractor

Hiring a general contractor to build a new garage costs between 10% and 20% of total project costs. Ask a local contractor near you for an exact quote.

Labor

Labor costs are usually 50% to 70% of the finished project or around $20 to $49 per square foot—given you're using standard materials for building a garage.

Design

The design for a new garage costs $500 to $1,000 or 8% to 15% of the total cost. This includes the cost to hire a draftsperson or architect to create custom blueprints for your garage.

Foundation

A garage concrete slab foundation costs between $1,500 to $8,500. A two-car unit (600 square feet) costs between $3,000 to $7,000.

Framing

A two-car garage costs $4 to $8 per square foot, usually on the lower end of the framing range or a total cost between $2,400 and $4,800. The price depends on where you live, so it’s a great idea to consult with a local house framing contractor near you.

Garage Door

You’ll pay anywhere from $750 to $1,500 on average for each new garage door. For a typical two-door garage, expect to pay anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000 total.

Roofing

The roofing cost of building a garage ranges between $1,600 to $16,000, depending on the size and insulation.

Permits

Garage building permits cost between $200 to $1,500, depending on where you live.

Garage Top Apartment

Expect to pay $110 to $200 per square foot or $60,000 to $270,000 on average to build a garage top apartment, depending on the size, function, and structure.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage by Material?

The materials you choose have a huge impact on the construction costs and labor of your garage. Generally, they cost anywhere from $15 to $40 per square foot.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common materials used in building a new garage and the cost of each of them.

Cinder Block Garage

A cinder block garage costs anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 plus, depending on the size and your location. It's a durable material that works well if you live in an area prone to storms and hurricanes.

Brick Garage

A brick garage costs $100 per foot or more on average. However, it's not a popular choice since a brick wall can't be properly insulated.

Brick Veneered Garage

Want to get the same brick wall look for a fraction of the cost? Brick veneer is the perfect material for you, and it costs between $10 to $20 per square foot.

Stick Built Garage

The most popular style of carpentry, stick built garages are usually mixed with prefabricated roof support and cost between $40 to $70 per square foot.

Metal Garage

Metal garages cost anywhere between $6,000 to $22,000. Metal garages are affordable and quicker to build but don’t fit the aesthetics of most homes.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Build a Garage?

There are many factors that influence the cost of a garage, from size to siding. Keep in mind that all of these factors together will determine the final cost of your new garage.

The cost to build a new garage depends on the following factors:

• Size: The square footage and how many cars you’d like to fit inside your garage

• Material: The best garage material for you should fit your budget and the aesthetics of your home

• Labor: Cost per square foot is different when using a standard material vs. using specialized material

• Location: The cost in Missouri to build a garage is more affordable than the cost in California

• Design: Depends on whether it’s an attached garage or a detached garage

• Construction: The type of foundation makes a huge difference in the cost

• Roof type: Asphalt shingles are popular and affordable while clay shingles can be on the higher-end

• Siding material: Using vinyl is more affordable and durable than wood

• Insulation type: An additional insulation layer in your garage will add to the final cost

• Doors: The door size and whether it’s automatic or manual adds to the cost

• Windows: They are not required but if you want to have natural light in your garage, it’ll add to the cost

Repairing vs. Building a New Garage

While the costs associated with repairing a garage are generally lower than the cost to build new, they can range widely based on what sort of repairs are needed. If your garage is not structurally sound, it may require costly updates to the foundation or framing. If your garage is structurally sound but needs some cosmetic repairs, you can expect costs to be considerably lower than building new.

Whether you repair or build new, you can expect labor to cost around $20 to $49 per square foot. Roofing, a common repair needed in older garages can cost between $1,600 to $16,000, depending on the size of your garage and whether you need to replace the insulation.

Older garages are also commonly in need of garage door repair or replacement. Most garage door repairs cost between $150 and $300 but replacements vary widely in cost. If you do have to replace your garage door, you’ll likely pay the same for materials and installation as you would if you were building a new garage.

FAQs About Building a Garage

How much does it cost to extend your garage?

A garage extension costs the same as building a new garage. It’ll cost you an average of $40 to $70 per square foot.

How much does it cost to build a room on top of a garage?

Depends on what you want to build above your garage, but expect to spend about $120 to $200 per square foot. If you want to add a deck, a gym, or a storage space, talk to a local professional to consider the existing structure capacity and whether it might require more support.

Is it better to have a detached or attached garage?

Trying to decide between a detached or attached garage? Your final decision depends on personal preference, neighborhood trends, the size of your home, and more.

Here’s a look at pros and cons of detached and attached garages:

Detached Garages Pros

• Fit better in narrow lots

• Easier to expand and have more design options

• You can build a deck or patio on the roof of a detached garage

• Better for health, safety, and security

Detached Garages Cons

• You need to have enough yard space to add a separate structure

• It might be inconveniently accessed, especially in bad weather

• If you want to extend utilities, it might be more difficult

Attached Garages Pros

• Convenient as a storage space

• Can use electrical, plumbing, and HVAC of the home

• Cost-effective, as they cost 10% to 15% less than a detached garage of the same size and materials with the range of $40 to $70 per square foot

Attached Garages Cons

• Your home's structure needs to be taken into consideration before building an attached garage

• It's not suited for a small lot, as it may hide the front view of a small home

• Harder to expand

• A security threat, as intruders can enter the home through the attached door

• Fire risk, especially when having flammables stored

• Health risks when chemicals and toxins from storage or idling cars may enter the home

• It might require more expensive insurance than a detached garage