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85% of homeowners look for a garage when shopping for a new home.
This space could be used for anything, but it’s a highly desirable feature, even if it’s a detached garage.
But what if you’re a homeowner, and you are garage-less? Adding a garage to your home will likely boost your chances of selling your home fast.
Let’s look at a detached garage cost if you plan to build a garage.
Detached Garage Cost: The Basics
Adding a garage is a large expense to a home, but it may be a smart move.
A typical homeowner, when building a garage on their property, could raise the value of their property by $15,000 to $30,000, depending on the type of garage.
So, even though it seems like a hefty expense at first, you’ll likely have a great return on investment.
Overall, the average cost of a detached garage is going to fluctuate depending on many things, such as labor, materials, permits, and regional contractor rates.
Key Cost Factors
1. Size
The size of your garage is going to be a key factor in the cost of your garage. If you need a larger space, the cost will increase, and vice versa.
However, you do have to take into consideration your needs and space, and if it will be worth it for you.
2. Additions
Besides space, anything extra you want, like insulation, lighting, windows, special flooring, garage door opener, living space, and so forth, will cause the bill to go up.
When the garage is detached, you will have to run electricity to it and water if you choose.
You can choose how many outlets and lights you want to have, so keep in mind that the fewer you have, the less expensive it is.
3. Location
Do you know where you want to put your garage? Do you already have a foundation laid or broken ground? If the answer is no, add this to the list!
The location of your garage will also determine the cost. You might need to factor in things like tree removal, laying concrete, leveling, and so forth.
To learn more about site prep, this guide on residential grading and excavation from HomeAdvisor is helpful.
4. Type of Garages
While there’s a lot of grunt work in planning and building a garage, choosing the type of garage you want can be quite fun! This is where you get to select your garage’s design.
There are various types of garages, including metal garage buildings, prefabricated garages, and custom-made garages.
These are all suitable choices and come in a variety of shapes and sizes with variations of siding, windows, doors, and so forth.
You can explore more in 5 Types of Garages You Can Build at Home.
Average Cost Overview
There are several factors that can increase the cost of a detached garage, but generally speaking, the average cost is approximately $49 per square foot, which is for a typical two-car garage.
Of course, there could be many other stipulations that add to the cost, but you can always talk to your contractor about how to cut your costs if you need to.
Also, HomeAdvisor’s garage cost breakdown provides a comprehensive pricing range for the U.S.
Are You Ready to Build Your Garage?
A detached garage cost could rise and fall depending on location, type, special additions, and size. Do you have more home improvement questions? Check out our complete remodeling guides to learn more!
Updated: July 2025
Author: Dreamlands Design Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Certified Home Improvement Contractor
