If you’re tired of getting into a cold vehicle every time it snows, you might be thinking about building a garage. A well-built garage guarantees the safety of your car and allows multiple vehicle storage depending on size. Other reasons that may prompt you to construct a garage include creating additional space for that extra bedroom, wet bar, workshop, or even a home theater. In that case, how much does it cost to build a garage? What affects your budget? We explored different garage options to see what your projected budget can offer.
The Cost Per Square Foot of Building a New Garage
Building a new garage will cost more than remodeling, especially if it’s from scratch. The typical cost of building a new garage is between $40 and $70 per square foot. This price entails a standard garage without plumbing fixtures, a workshop, or any structure above it. Briefly, you’re looking at a simple attached garage design. Customization add ons are purely aesthetic and will reflect varying costs among different homeowners. You’ll spend anywhere between $120 and $350 per square foot for an upgraded garage.
How many cars are you planning to store in the new garage? That can be one car parking behind another one or alongside. Here are the costs per square foot of building a new garage based on the number and type of cars that you intend to store:
Single Car Garage Cost
A one-car garage is the most affordable when building from scratch. Prevalent types of single-car garages range in the sizes of 12×20 and 16×24 feet. Even so, you can still opt for different dimensions, depending on your car’s size. You might also need additional space for a workshop and storage area. A typical one-car garage will cost you about $10,500 to $27,000, excluding special finishing and customized add ons. For additional space, you can spend up to $32,000.
2-Car Garage Cost
A standard twin-car garage has a 22 to 26 feet width dimension and a depth of about 20 to 24 feet. Building this size from scratch costs anywhere between $14,500 and $40,300. If you want additional storage and workshop space for DIY mechanical repairs, you might want to construct a two-and-a-half car unit garage. This garage dimensions will increase your average construction cost to about $52,000, depending on the finishing and types of materials.
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Garage Cost
Building an RV garage costs more than an ordinary one because you have to keep almost everything large. For instance, a 14x12x40-feet door will be enough to accommodate most recreational vehicles. Depending on your RV vehicle type, you can go with up to 50-feet bay size for higher doors. The cost of building a modern RV garage ranges between $36,000 and $140,000.
3-Car Garage Cost
Building a 3-car garage will cost anywhere between $28,200 and $57,000 if you go for standard material and finishing. Additional half-unit space means higher costs of up to $67,200. A typical three-car garage is 20 to 24 feet for depth and 31 to 34 feet for width. Going for the extra storage and workshop space means additional width and depth dimensions. It is essential to note that the costs will change accordingly, depending on aesthetic preference.
4-Car Garage Cost
A four-car garage can have varying dimensions, depending on how you want to design it. Some homeowners will choose four separate stalls, while others settle for two double-deep stalls. Either design doesn’t affect the type of materials needed for a four-car garage.
You’ll spend anywhere between $32,000 and $73,900 for this type of garage. Customized add ons like a high-quality HVAC system and plumbing fixtures mean parting with more money, up to $100,000, which may lead you to consider less-expensive alternatives like outdoor ceiling fans or outdoor heaters.
Material Costs for a Home Garage
It is essential to include the costs of a garage plan when budgeting for your structure. Hiring a professional designer and architect can cost up to $2000, but leveraging designing apps will cut your costs down to about $500 to $1000. The prices include subscription costs and templates, which you may have to purchase separately. If you’re using an existing blueprint, the costs may be lower. Concrete will cost you between $3,600 and $7,200 depending on your garage’s size and whether you opt for concrete finishing.
Garage Extension Costs
The costs of extending a garage are typically the same as building a new one from scratch. You’ll still maintain respective dimensions for different sizes at the expense of about $40 to $70 for every square foot. Moreover, other factors like material cost, building codes, and labor costs will remain the same unless you choose a DIY solution. If you opt for additional storage and workshop space, you may have to part with more money. Extending a garage is just like building a new structure and attaching it to the existing one.
Other materials vary and generally average at $15 to $40 for every square foot. Even so, the costs per square foot may be higher for a fully functional garage with insulated walls, running water, and electricity connection. You may also need to pay different sub-contractors for finishing. In that case, the costs will vary depending on your negotiation skills and the type of company you choose. Prevalent material costs for a modern home garage include:
Brick Garage
Brick garages are slowly running out of fashion but will still suffice if you’re looking for aesthetic beauty. However, the costs can be relatively high compared to that of standard materials. It can also be challenging to insulate the walls since bricks lack insulation cavities. The average price of building a brick garage is about $100 for every square foot. However, you can part with about $20 per square foot if you choose to side the walls with bricks alongside other construction materials.
Cinder Block Garage
A cinder brick garage will be a go-to option for a homeowner living in termite-prone areas. It is easy to construct and will last for ages depending on the quality of construction materials. The average cost of building a cinder block garage ranges between $25,000 and $58,000. This estimate may fluctuate depending on the location and the size of your desired garage.
Estimated Garage Cost By Location
Your location will slightly affect the costs of building a new garage or expanding an existing one. Different states and municipalities have varying permit requirements and costs. For instance, a New York homeowner will spend anywhere between $17,000 and $31,000 to build a standard garage. Similarly, a Texas resident will pay anywhere between $16,500 and $43.500 while homeowners in Kentucky part with $20,000 to $31,000. The estimated cost for erecting a garage in other locations include:
- Minnesota- $14,000 to $25,000
- Michigan- $16,000 to $28,500
- Washington- $20,500 to $30,000
- Maine- $26,000 to $40,500
- Oregon- $17,500 to $30,000
- Colorado- $19,000 to $32,500
Building a Basement Garage
Building a basement garage means having an apartment on top of your structure. The price of building a basement garage will depend on the size of the apartment. It can be an entire house or a simple loft. A whole apartment means building a bigger and stronger garage that can support the structure’s weight. A typical basement garage for an entire apartment can be four-car or more. In that case, you’ll spend about $60,000 to 270,000, considering you’ll need high-quality, sturdy construction materials. The costs can be between $110 and $350 per square foot for a simple loft structure.
It is essential to note that building a garage beneath an apartment structure may attract higher costs per foot than building a house in the same area. Other factors that you need to consider when estimating the cost include plumbing fixtures and finishing costs. Typically, you may spend $600 to $1,600 per plumbing fixture and $25 to $60 per square foot for an HVAC system. Installing this system is necessary for climate control to enhance your structure’s longevity and protect the car.
Rebuilding a Garage
Rebuilding a garage may mean upgrading or demolishing an old structure to build it afresh from scratch. If you opt for the latter option, you’ll need to factor in demolition and dumping costs. Depending on the state of your current garage, you can also choose to recycle some construction materials such as the roofing structure and the plumbing fixtures. You’ll spend about $5 to $15 per square foot to demolish an attached garage and $4 to $8 for a detached garage. The cost of demolishing an attached garage is higher because the process is delicate to ensure minimal zero damages to your house structure.
The average cost of rebuilding a garage will cost anywhere between $44 and $85 for every square foot. Customization add ons are purely aesthetic preferences.
DIY Solution Vs. Hiring a Garage Contractor
DIY garages tend to be relatively affordable compared to hiring a professional contractor. It is essential to note that labor costs for professional construction can consume up to 60% of your budget estimate but reflect your money’s value in terms of quality and durability. Even so, it is not necessary if you trust your building skills for a simple garage. The construction materials of a typical DIY detached garage will cost anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000, depending on size and quality. Labor costs will be nearly zero unless you opt for paid help.
However, the building process of a DIY garage is delicate, and one simple mistake can result in expensive adjustment costs. It will help if you go through your DIY garage design with a professional builder to iron out any inconsistencies. Thus, you’ll not need a contractor to correct your mistakes after finishing the job. You can also get at least four quotes from different companies and choose the simplest one if you find it hard to come up with yours. After all, building a garage isn’t something you do daily, and you may not be perfect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Costs of Building a Garage
1. Is it Cheaper to Build or Buy a Garage?
Building a garage yourself sounds like the best plan for saving money, especially if you have a lot of time. Otherwise, most people who resort to DIY projects often end up with an unfinished garage. It would be best if you only built your garage when sure about your building skills. Another factor that affects the cost of a DIY garage is the material budget. When it comes to tiles, timber, doors, and windows, a pre-fab garage may be cheaper compared to building from scratch.
2. How Much Does It Cost to Build a 24×24 Garage?
A 24×24-foot garage is a go-to option for many homeowners because it is sizeable, enhancing its functionality. The costs of building this garage will vary from one client to another depending on customization needs, performance, and the general labor costs. Typically, extending a 24×24 garage will cost about $40 per square foot, while building from scratch can cost up to $70 per square foot. These costs include basic materials and finishing like standard asphalt shingle roofing, concrete foundation, and framed walls.
3. How Much Does It Cost to Build an Unfinished Garage?
Just like any building project, the costs of building an unfinished garage vary in many ways, depending on location, finishes, size, and material. A typical detached garage will cost anywhere between $30,000 and $60,000, while a high-end unfinished garage costs about $110,000. If you plan to build a low-end detached garage, you’ll spend as little as $25,215 for your project. These costs include a size area of about 576 square feet, finished interior, vinyl siding, single-story, and asphalt shingles.
4. What is the Cheapest Way to Build a Garage?
The cheapest way of building a garage is resorting to DIY methods that save you the labor and materials cost, say you choose to bargain or source from different suppliers. In that case, erecting a pole-style structure will be easier and more durable compared to the traditional stick-built garage construction. However, you need to be patient and skilled because DIY garage buildings take longer to complete than using a contractor.
The Bottom Line
The cost of building a new garage depends on your car storage needs, garage type, aesthetic preferences, and material costs. It is crucial to note that spending a decent amount on high-quality construction materials means fewer repair, renovation, and maintenance needs in the future. Most importantly, the quality of construction and add ons installation will also determine your structure’s durability. If you don’t trust your building skills, hiring a professional garage contractor sounds like a good plan of putting your money into use. Reach out to contractors who give free estimates before commencing the work.
