The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.
The national average cost to build a garage is $24,000. Garage costs depend on its siding material, foundation and finishes, like electricity and garage door style. A single-car, detached garage kit starts at around $7,250 while an attached three-car garage with a loft can cost $50,000. Steel Warehouse
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Garage Builders
A two-car garage costs an average of $52 per square feet to build. Custom garage construction costs, like a slab foundation, security system, and livable loft space, mean you could pay between $35 and $90 per square foot.
Single-car garages come in a lot of different shapes and sizes each with their own price tag. Choose a slightly larger footprint for additional storage space.
One of the largest cost factors for multi-car garages is the number of garage doors you need to install. Depending on your lot size and how you plan to access your cars, you can choose to park side-by-side or front-to-back, also called tandem.
Garages that accommodate three or more cars cost the most because they require the most square footage. They are great for families with multiple vehicles ranging from economical cars to recreational vehicles.
Detached garages range in price from $1,500 for a no-frills stainless steel kit that fits one car to $50,000 for a barn-like custom garage that fits three cars and an in-law suite. How much you pay depends on the size, functionality, materials and labor. Budget for the cost of a foundation as well as the cost of a driveway to your new garage.
Stainless steel garage kits with manual garage doors and no insulation are the most affordable and fastest to build. You can find these at outbuilding and shed retailers near you. On the other hand, detached garages with siding, trim and roofing that match your home will cost more.
Hire an electrician if you’re adding or updating electrical to your detached garage to accommodate automatic garage door openers, lighting or a security system. Hire a plumber to install wet features like a drain, hose or work-station sink.
Attaching a garage to your home costs an average of $26,000. However, you could pay anything from $10,000 to $43,000 depending on how many cars you’d like to accommodate and whether it includes livable space.
It costs less to run new electrical or plumbing to an attached garage, especially where those features connect with existing lines. For instance, if you want a garage with an apartment, choose a floor plan that allows new wet rooms to share walls with your existing laundry or bathroom.
You may also need to replace the door connecting your home to the garage with one that is fire-rated. Check local housing codes or talk to your garage contractor.
To build a garage, you’ll need to start with the foundation. Budget for the cost of a concrete slab foundation, which averages $4 to $8 per square foot. Measure the length and width of your new garage foundation to create a rough project budget with the following costs per square foot:
Don’t forget to coordinate concrete installation with any plumbing, drainage or HVAC system needs. Hire a general contractor to complete your project successfully and on budget.
On top of the foundation you’ll either need a prefabricated garage kit or a custom wood frame to erect the walls and roof. From there, it’s time to install the garage door and any exterior doors and windows. Take a look at the following per-unit costs, including materials and labor, and add them to your project budget:
If you opt for a finished garage, you’ll also need electrical to install a garage door opener, lighting and electric vehicle charging stations. Once optional plumbing and electrical are installed, it’s time for insulation, drywall, painting and features such as storage solutions.
COST Garage Door Opener$200 - $525 Lighting$80 - $900 Storage Solutions$500 - $10,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Station$1,000 - $2,300 Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Garage Builders Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Garage Builder
Compare Quotes From Top-rated Garage Builders
Several factors will affect the final cost of building a garage, from the size of your garage to labor costs to insulation and much more. To budget accurately for such a large home improvement project, it is essential to understand each factor’s cost.
The cost of building a custom garage is typically determined by square footage. Most contractors charge approximately $35 to $70 per square foot for a standard garage. For instance, a single-car attached garage at approximately 240 to 380 square feet can range from $10,500 to $20,400. A double-car garage at approximately 440 to 620 square feet can range from $20,000 to $40,300. A three-car garage at approximately 620 to 820 square feet can range from $30,000 to $45,000.
Building a custom garage is a large home improvement project, and it can take multiple laborers to complete the project. Therefore, labor rates will comprise roughly 50% to 70% of the overall bill. The more you DIY, the more you can reduce labor costs.
For those who plan to utilize a garage beyond just parking a car, consider insulating it. Whether using it as a workspace or storing temperature-sensitive items, insulating your garage will help reduce rapid temperature swings.
The insulation cost typically depends on the insulation type you choose. For instance, blown-in insulation ranges from $.5 to $1.5 per square foot. Batting insulation ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot . Spray-in insulation ranges from $1.5 to $4 per square foot .
Whether you are building a garage to park your car, store your belongings or both, it may be wise to install security features to ensure your item’s safety. Security features such as a garage security system can cost anywhere from $100 to $2,500 . But for extra security, you may also want to invest in an automatic garage gate or door compatible with your garage security system. These can range from $200 to $4,000 in addition to the security system.
Some people prefer windows in a garage to add some natural light or match the home’s exterior. Of course, depending on the window type, size, placement and how many windows you’d like, the additional cost for windows in a garage is approximately $100 to $600 per window .
Building a garage is a large project requiring various materials for the foundation, the framing, the roofing, the wiring and the gutters. Therefore, the price of your garage will depend on which materials you choose for each element of the garage. On average, materials in total typically account for between 30% and 50% of the final cost.
Typically, the number of doors in your garage determines the square footage and installation cost. The more doors, the greater the cost. The cheapest option is usually a single garage door spanning the width of a garage entrance, followed by double-garage doors. A custom garage door will cost the most.
When it comes to the exterior or interior of your garage, the sky’s the limit. From a custom garage door to an HVAC system to different finishes, the more unique features you add to your garage, the more it will cost.
An automatic garage door opener is a popular, convenient feature most people like to add to their garage. Although they are a one-time cost, they are certainly an add-on. While the garage door opener costs around $120 to $288, you can also expect to pay an additional $127 to $199 to install it.
If you spend an extended amount of time in your garage, customized options like an HVAC system may be something you should consider adding, although costly. Extending HVAC ductwork from your home is approximately $15 per linear foot.
The perk of building a garage is that it lets you design it how you’d like. From installing plumbing to painting the door to adding a separate entrance to even constructing an apartment above it, you can add various finishes to make it your own. However, it will add to your final bill.
Building a well-constructed, secure garage can be a good investment for your home. You’re likely to increase your ROI by adding livable square footage as your household grows or to accommodate guests or tenets. Single- or two-car garages are most common.
A properly installed garage can increase the square footage to store sporting equipment or tools, protect your vehicles from theft or inclement weather and even charge your electric car. The cost to build a garage is often worth it.
To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of providers on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.
From receiving building permits to constructing the garage structure to installing built-ins, there are several steps you’ll have to take to build a garage. On average, the whole process will take between six to eight weeks. However, this does not account for any delays you may experience.
The cost to build an apartment above your garage starts at about $100 per square foot. A living space complete with a full kitchen, bathroom and private may range from $50,000 to as much as $250,000. That price depends on the cost of materials and labor in your area.
Buying a garage kit will cost less than building a custom garage if it means you’re doing all the labor. Simple kits generally cost less than $10,000 and can take as little as a day to put together with a little help from friends or family.
Custom garage kits that equate to high-end builds will cost less than hiring an architect to design one from scratch. Skilled labor ranging from floor plan design to garage door opener installation is often the most expensive part of any construction budget. Choosing DIY-friendly kits will save you money upfront but may cost more if installation hits unexpected snags or repairs are needed in the future.
Homeowners see as much as a 65% return on their investment (ROI) after building a garage. It’s an attractive feature that puts home buyers at ease. Take a look at the garages in your neighborhood and the topography of your lot while you consider whether an attached or detached unit is best.
Adding livable square footage to your property by building an apartment over the garage can yield an even higher return on your investment—as long as doing so doesn’t put it well out of reach for your neighborhood’s average home value. You may even be able to rent out the space to generate more income.
Depending on the condition of your current garage and what items are on your wish list for your new garage, a remodel can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $22,000.
A garage is an excellent opportunity to expand your living space by building a room or an apartment above it. However, depending on factors like the size of the space, electrical, plumbing, finishes, etc., building a garage with an apartment above can cost between $60,000 to $270,000.
Rachel is a home improvement writer and content editor. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for small businesses and creative agencies. She uses her home improvement expertise to give homeowners the knowledge they need to furnish and care for their homes.
In addition to being a contributing editor for Forbes, Corinne is a dynamic digital professional specializing in copywriting, copy editing and content strategy. With over eight years of experience at Bed Bath and Beyond, she has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise on everything related to the home. In her current role as SEO Editor, Corinne oversees the SEO content strategy for sites such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Bed Bath and Beyond Canada, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values.
Steel Structure Showroom Lexie is a Deputy Editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. She has over five years of experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).