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Building a Garage Cost

How Much Does Building a Garage Cost?
 
low cost Low: Do It Yourself: $3,000-$4,000
 
average cost Medium: $8,000-$17,000
 
high cost High: $13,000-$47,000
 



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Garage Conversion

Home Addition

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Typical costs:
  • Having a contractor build a standard garage typically runs about $35 -$45 a square foot. Contractors.com says the minimum size (enough to park a vehicle) for a single-car garage is about 240 square feet, or $8,400 -$10,800; for a two-car structure it's around 380 square feet, or $13,300 -$17,100.
  • AskTheBuilder.com suggests that a "dream" garage with plenty of room for two vehicles (without having to squeeze to get into and out of them) plus adequate work space, lighting, ventilation and attic storage requires 800-850 square feet, at $29,000 -$38,000 or more.
  • Upgrading the quality of materials can bump the cost to $55 a square foot, or $13,200 for a minimum single-car structure, $21,000 for a two-car garage and $47,000 or more for the dream version.
  • Accomplished do-it-yourselfers can cut costs considerably; materials for a single-car garage with a door but no windows start at $3,000 -$4,000, depending on the size and style. Kits with pre-cut or pre-fab materials to build a steel or wood garage run $5,000 -$14,000 or more, depending on the size of the structure and the quality of materials.
What should be included:
  • Planning ahead is crucial; decide on all the expected uses of the garage, from parking vehicles to work areas and storage. Better Homes & Gardens lists planning tips and shows three upscale garage ideas.
  • Most areas require building permits for garages. Consult with a local building inspector (it's free) before you start any work, even simple design plans. Depending on location, the cost for building permits can be relatively inexpensive or quite pricey.
  • Building a garage is a complex process that involves design, possibly demolition, excavation, site preparation, foundation work, framing and carpentry, roofing, insulation, windows, doors, eaves, exterior siding, electricity, ventilation and often plumbing. A general contractor will walk you through the process, hiring and scheduling subcontractors to do each phase of the work. ThisOldHouse.com describes a garage project.
Additional costs:
  • Plans for simple or elaborate garages run $20 -$200, and Lowe's offers a book, Build Your Own Garage Manual, for less than $12.
Shopping for building a garage:
Article updated June 2007
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Recent Posts
Amount: $0.00 Building a garage
Posted by: spencer in North Conway, NH.Purchased: 2008
I am obtaining quotes in NH to build a garage with a concrete floor. A two car garage 24x24 with no finish work on the inside. I have three quotes $20,000, $32,000 and $51,000. I\'m not sure which contractor is actually \"in the ballpark\" since the numbers are so far apart. Any suggestions
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Amount: $0.00 Building a Garage
Posted by: R in Dartmouth, MA.Purchased: 2008
Do your quotes include the concrete pad?
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Amount: $20,500.00 building a garage
Posted by: spange97 in Fennimore, WI.Purchased: May, 2008
Contractor: Square Feet: 36*36
i just built a garage and it is a 3 car garage and was 20100 but i live in wisconsin, dont know the costs in new hampshire but i would definately double check. do you have a lowes or menards out there? they would be able to give you atleast the material estimates if you let them know what you are looking for. maybe this would help you out
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Amount: $0.00 Garage and Breezeway Addition
Posted by: Brandon in Dover, NH.Purchased: 2008
I am in the process of getting quotes for a 26 x 28 Garage (finished upstairs), a 8 x 10 breezeway, and a 10 x 16 deck. The quotes have been all over the place. From $90K to $156K. Any thoughts on what I should expect to pay? Thanks!
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Amount: $0.00 Building a garage
Posted by: ecss08 in Pawling, NY.Purchased: 2008
I got a few quotes for my garage but I\'m trying to not goto an architect... So I went to a place in brookfield, CT He quoted me 45,000 +/- for a 32x28 2 car garage, includes plans, 2 garage doors, and something like 4 windows...Unfinshed up stairs, (its a 1 story with loft, no dormers, barn style roof) so I now get a few est. for a foundation 14,000 (my friend is doing the escavation for a 400.00) is this anywhere near ball park?
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Amount: $57,000.00 garage build
Posted by: Harry in Rockville, MD.Purchased: July, 2008
Contractor: Kass RemodelingSquare Feet: 400
I have build a Garage for my client with all the permit and two car Garage, two windows as well the back door to the back deck and enterance to the kitchen, finish the rest of the landscape around the Garage, finish the front with Bricks and side vinyle siding for 57,000
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Amount: $0.00 Old Garage (built 1916)
Posted by: Eric in Blaine, Wa in Blaine, WA.Purchased: February, 2004
Contractor: Square Feet: 1000
My garage was built in 1916 (at least half of it was-the other half was built later) and is falling deeper and deeper into the ground and is even starting to separate in one corner (we can see light). What should I do? Jack the house up and re-pour concrete? Brace the garage together somehow?
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