Building a garage not only adds value to your home but is also a valuable addition in terms of practicality since it protects your vehicle from the elements. Not only that, but it also serves as a storage space, and for homeowners who really want to spend the money, a custom-built garage may also include a small living space section.
However, all of these factors factor into the price, and the cost of an actual garage actually comes down, as well as the garage size, functionality, materials used in construction, and labor costs. In this guide, we’ll talk about the costs associated with building a new garage in 2024.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage?
Building a garage is a worthwhile investment, as it raises the value of your home but also provides plenty of storage space. Building one, however, depends on numerous different factors, such as the size of the garage, the configuration, and the number of vehicles it can accommodate; there are one-car garages, two-car garages, and three-car garages.
The construction cost for a garage ranges anywhere from $16,000 to $40,000, with a national average cost of approximately $30,000. Larger garages are pricier, with single-car detached models starting around $7,000 – $8,000 to around $50,000 with an attached three-car garage with a loft.
Most manufacturers and garage builders usually list their costs per square foot, with the average square foot costing about $52, the lowest cost ranging in the $35 range, and the highest ranging around $90.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Building a Garage
The type of the garage building and its configuration dictate the price. For example, a detached garage made of stainless steel that houses one vehicle can set you back as little as $1,500. However, the detached garage cost of a barn-like garage construction that houses three cars and has an in-law suite can set you back as much as $50,000 or more.
Attached garages are generally pricier, as they need to be integrated into your house; they’re basically a massive home-improvement project. Building this garage can set you back anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000.
The reason why the higher-end pricing is lower compared to detached garages is that you save on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical installation costs. Additionally, you’re using plenty of other stuff from the existing structure, not just electrical wiring, all of which affects the price.
In the end, the total cost mostly depends on the type of garage you want to make and the number of vehicles you want to park there, which directly affects the garage’s square footage.
Additional Costs to Consider When Building a Garage
Besides choosing the garage type and the configuration, there’s plenty of other stuff to consider as well:
- Site-built vs. prefabricated: The most affordable and quickest solution would be to buy a prefab garage kit rather than build the whole custom garage on-site. In either case, you’ll need the garage foundation to support the structure, which might still require a building permit.
- Window installation: Windows let in natural light but also add to the overall cost of the project.
- Insulation installation: Consider insulating our garage if you plan on using it as your workspace, not just your vehicle storage.
- Garage roofing: While asphalt shingles remain an affordable roofing material, roofing costs with framing and trusses are included, and they also add to the total cost of the garage project.
- Garage door opener: An automatic garage opener is really convenient, but it may set you back as much as $600 to have one installed.
- Add-ons and accessories: A garage workspace area is certainly an option that might set you back some $300 to $600, especially since you’re paying extra for shelving and storage boxes. There’s also siding to consider. Once your garage is done, you can add various finishers, like vinyl siding materials that look like wood or something similar.
Summary
It’s not outside the realm of possibilities to go beyond the national average and end up paying up to $45,000 for a custom garage. There are several factors that influence the price, which is why it’s important to take as many factors into consideration as possible during the planning phase of the garage project. If you want to learn more about custom-built garages, contact Signature Builders and check out their free estimate tool.