Garage Cost Calculator — 1-Car, 2-Car & 3-Car Estimates

Quick Answer: A garage costs $15,000–$60,000+ depending on size and configuration. A 2-car attached garage (480 sq ft) runs $25,000–$42,000. Materials cost $32–$42/sq ft for attached and $35–$42/sq ft for detached. Labor runs $14–$16/sq ft using carpenter rates of $21.77–$31.75/hr nationally. Fixed costs add $8,600–$10,200 for slab, garage doors, permits, electrical, excavation, and plans. A 20% contractor markup applies. Enter your ZIP for location-specific pricing.

Calculate how much it costs to build a garage. Select the size, choose attached or detached, and enter your ZIP code for a location-specific estimate with a full breakdown of materials, labor, and fixed costs.

Garage Cost by Size and Type

Total installed cost including slab, framing, roofing, doors, electrical, and contractor markup:

Size	Sq Ft	Attached	Detached
1-Car	240 sq ft	$15,000–$25,000	$20,000–$32,000
2-Car	480 sq ft	$25,000–$42,000	$30,000–$50,000
3-Car	720 sq ft	$35,000–$55,000	$42,000–$65,000

How Garage Cost Is Calculated

Total = (Material + Labor + Fixed Costs) × 1.20 markup

Materials: Square footage × material rate per sq ft ($30–$42 depending on size and type). Includes framing lumber, sheathing, roofing, siding, concrete for slab, and finish materials. Larger garages cost slightly less per sq ft due to economies of scale.
Labor: Square footage × hours per sq ft (0.35 attached, 0.40 detached) × hourly rate × 1.5 burden. Detached garages require more labor because all four walls must be built from scratch.
Fixed costs: Concrete slab ($3,000–$3,500), garage doors ($2,200), permits ($750–$900), electrical ($1,000–$1,200), excavation and grading ($900–$1,400), and architectural plans ($750–$1,000).
Contractor markup: 20% for general contractor overhead, profit, and project management.

Attached vs Detached Garage Comparison

Factor	Attached	Detached
Cost per sq ft	$50–$75	$60–$90
Shared wall	Yes (saves framing/siding)	No (all 4 walls)
Foundation	Ties into existing	Full separate slab
Utilities	Short runs from house	Trenching to separate building
Convenience	Direct house access	Walk outside to reach
Noise/fumes	Transfers to house	Fully isolated

Fixed Cost Breakdown (2-Car Garage)

Item	Attached	Detached
Concrete Slab	$3,000	$3,500
Garage Doors	$2,200	$2,200
Permits	$750	$900
Electrical	$1,000	$1,200
Excavation	$900	$1,400
Plans	$750	$1,000
Total Fixed	$8,600	$10,200

Formula Summary

Garage Cost Formula: Total installed cost includes materials (per sq ft), burdened labor, and fixed costs for slab, doors, permits, electrical, excavation, and plans, multiplied by contractor markup.

Total = (A × M + A × H × R × 1.5 + F) × 1.20

where A = square footage, M = material cost/sq ft, H = labor hours/sq ft, R = hourly trade rate, 1.5 = labor burden, F = fixed costs, 1.20 = markup.

Config	Material $/sq ft (2-car)	Labor hr/sq ft	Fixed Costs (2-car)
Attached	$32	0.35	$8,600
Detached	$38	0.40	$10,200

Constants: Labor burden 1.5×. Contractor markup 20%. Sizes: 1-car 240 sq ft, 2-car 480 sq ft, 3-car 720 sq ft. Material rates decrease slightly for larger sizes (economies of scale). Fixed costs include slab, garage doors, permits, electrical, excavation, and plans. Trade: carpenters (SOC 47-2031), national mean $27.30/hr. Rates from BLS OEWS May 2024, 393 metros.

Carpenters Hourly Rates by Metro (BLS OEWS May 2024)

Metro	25th %ile	Mean	75th %ile
New York	$27.07	$37.32	$46.01
Los Angeles	$26.91	$36.97	$47.02
Chicago	$24.11	$38.11	$51.92
Dallas	$20.33	$24.01	$26.76
Houston	$22.32	$24.93	$28.40
Washington	$23.86	$30.71	$34.34
Philadelphia	$24.09	$32.62	$36.99
Miami	$20.50	$24.57	$27.85
Atlanta	$22.03	$24.84	$28.25
Phoenix	$22.72	$28.74	$34.55

Related Calculators

Concrete Calculator — calculate concrete for the garage slab
Home Addition Cost Calculator — compare garage cost vs. other addition types
Drywall Calculator — estimate drywall for finishing garage interior
Roofing Calculator — calculate roofing materials for the garage roof

Estimates are for planning purposes only. Consult a qualified contractor for critical projects. Actual material requirements may vary based on site conditions, waste, and installation methods.

Pricing last verified: February 2026. Material prices vary by region, season, and supplier. Prices shown are national averages for planning purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to build a garage?▾

A garage costs $15,000–$60,000+ depending on size and type. A 1-car attached garage (240 sq ft) runs $15,000–$25,000. A 2-car attached garage (480 sq ft) costs $25,000–$42,000. A 2-car detached garage (480 sq ft) runs $30,000–$50,000. A 3-car detached garage (720 sq ft) costs $40,000–$60,000+. Costs include slab, framing, roofing, garage doors, electrical, excavation, permits, and plans.

Is an attached or detached garage cheaper?▾

An attached garage is 15–25% cheaper than a detached garage of the same size. A 2-car attached garage costs $25,000–$42,000 vs. $30,000–$50,000 for detached. Attached garages save money because they share a wall with the house (less framing, siding, and foundation), have shorter utility runs, and need less excavation. Detached garages cost more but offer more design flexibility, reduce noise and fumes, and can be placed anywhere on the property.

Do I need a permit to build a garage?▾

Yes, virtually all garage construction requires a building permit. You will need architectural plans or at minimum a site plan showing setbacks, and structural drawings. Most jurisdictions require inspections at foundation, framing, electrical, and final stages. Permits cost $500–$1,200 depending on project size and location. Zoning regulations may restrict garage size, height, placement, and distance from property lines. Check with your local building department before starting.

How long does it take to build a garage?▾

A typical garage takes 4–8 weeks to build. Permit approval takes 2–6 weeks. Excavation and slab: 3–5 days. Framing: 3–5 days. Roofing: 2–3 days. Siding and trim: 3–5 days. Electrical and garage door: 2–3 days. Finishing (paint, concrete sealer): 2–3 days. Weather delays and inspection scheduling can add 1–3 weeks. A simple attached 1-car garage is faster (3–4 weeks); a large detached 3-car garage takes longer (6–10 weeks).

Does building a garage add home value?▾

Yes. A garage addition typically recoups 50–65% of its cost at resale. A 2-car garage can add $20,000–$30,000 in home value. Homes with garages sell faster and for 5–10% more than comparable homes without them. In cold-climate markets, garages are nearly essential and the ROI is higher. Detached garages with workshops or storage lofts can add even more appeal. The ROI is best when the garage matches the home's style and the neighborhood norm.

What is the cheapest way to build a garage?▾

The cheapest approach is a 1-car attached garage with a basic slab, stick-frame construction, asphalt shingle roof, and a single garage door. Expect $15,000–$20,000. To save more: use a pole barn (post-frame) design instead of traditional framing, skip drywall on interior walls, use a gravel floor instead of concrete (where code allows), and keep the footprint under 240 sq ft to minimize permit costs. Prefab metal garage kits (assemble yourself) can cost as little as $5,000–$10,000 for materials.