Detached Garages: How Much Does One Cost
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A detached garage offers a lot of benefits over an attached garage and ours has been a lifesaver. If youre ready to take the plunge and build a detached garage, its best that you understand what goes into building the garage and what factors affect the cost to build a garage.
A few months ago we wrote an article talking about if a three-car garage is worth the cost. And of course, we think the answer is a resounding yes. We received a lot of questions from that post, one of which was What was the cost to build your three-car detached garage?
I thought it would be nice to do a breakdown of how much our three-car detached garage costs. Keep in mind, with this build and garage we were our own contractor, so this will reflect within the cost. We did not pay an overhead of 15-20 percent for someone to oversee the project. Serving as our contractor, we hired our own subs and paid each one directly. Doing this, we also knew exactly how much we spent out.
Also, as you know we like to DIY parts of our own builds. With the garage portion, we did our own painting and plumbing which saved us several thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts: Why Cutting Costs May Not Always Be Worth It
You may, for example, be looking at using cheaper timber frames rather than concrete, or you may be thinking about abandoning your plans for an attached garage altogether and opting instead to spend a few thousand on a cheap prefabricated garage kit.
While nobody could ever blame you for minimizing your expenses, its always worth considering whether spending as little as possible is really going to play out in the long-run.
If you opt for timber frames for example, youll make a pretty big initial saving on the cost of your garage construction, but once a few years have passed, mother nature and those terrible termites may have done such a number on your structure that the whole thing needs replacing. In other words, while CMUs may take a bigger bite of your budget right now, they may end up saving you much more in the long-run.
One area where it certainly doesnt pay to cut costs is labor. If youre a seasoned contractor or a skilled DIY specialist who is fully confident in your ability to complete the task at hand, then, by all means, get a few trusted buddies involved to help out and get on with the task at hand.
Otherwise, hiring a contractor will definitely prove to be a solid investment. Not only does it eliminate the risk of you injuring yourself while working on the construction, it also ensures that your garage is in the safe hands of capable professionals who will ensure that every aspect of the job is done to the highest possible standards.
Benefits Of A Detached Garage
As with any home improvement project, there are pros and cons to building a detached garage. The decision will depend on what your goals and needs are regarding extra space, the limitations of the existing property, and of course finances.
Although the construction of a detached garage is from scratch and more expensive, you will still need to venture into inclement weather to reach your car and install a driveway or redesign your current one. Either way, detached garages have many benefits. It keeps the family safe from carbon monoxide fumes, you have more freedom to choose the design. Moreover, a detached garage adds extra storage or workshop space and offers more privacy if you have living space included in your plans.
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Cost To Build A Detached Garage
The average price of constructing detached garages starts at approximately $13,000 for low-end projects. By contrast, high-end buildings can go for $35,000, putting the average cost at around $24,000.
As the work is performed from the ground up, detached garages are costlier than building attached garages.
The cost to build a detached garage depends on the garage dimensions and whether or not you decide to incorporate an apartment above. In this case, youll need to mount new electrical, plumbing fixtures, and an HVAC unit. Additionally, you might need to install a door so you can enter the apartment from your garage, plus a second means of egress.
Can I Draw My Own Garage Plans
You can still design your garage, but have an architect or engineer redraw your plans to ensure that everything is structurally sound. Drawing with designing software is nice, but it isnt essential an architect can work from a pencil drawing on graph paper just as easily.
Is it cheaper to build an attached or detached garage? It is generally cheaper to build an attached garage than it is to build a detached garage. Thats because an attached garage utilizes the existing structure of your home and only requires you to build three walls.
How much does a garage foundation cost?
Garage Foundation Cost A garage foundation costs between $2,000 and $7,000 depending on the size. A standard 16 x 24 garage foundation costs $2,500, a 24 x 24 costs about $3,500, and a 36 x 24 garage foundation runs $5,500 on average.
Is it cheaper to build a garage or pole barn? The main advantage of opting for pole barn construction is cost savings. Without having to worry about creating a formal foundation, you will save money. Buyers on a tight budget often look into using a pole barn out of necessity when they find that no other options are in their price range.
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Detached Garage Electrical Wiring
Decisions about electrical and lighting will depend entirely on what the detached garage will be and the purposes that it will serve. If it is merely going to be a spot to protect your car from the elements, then necessary wiring for a single overhead light, or perhaps, electric to an automatic door opener will suffice. Otherwise, consulting an electrician about any of a myriad of possibilities is advisable. Electricians usually charge between $40 and $100. Surely, if living or workspace is considered, then lighting and electrical will be more extensive, especially when considering HVAC.
Cost To Build An Attached Garage
There are several differences between attached and detached garages.
Primarily, attached constructions are connected to your house by one of the walls. You can access your home directly from there.
Attached garages are typically less expensive because the contractors need to build fewer walls. The final price hinges on your driveway pavement, interior finishing, and many other factors.
You also need to consider whether your local laws permit you to expand your property with a garage.
If everything checks out, one-car attached garages generally cost between $6,750 and $10,500. The average cost of a two-car attached garage is about $17,000.
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What Is A Good Size Garage
The Garage Thats About the Size of a Car The typical length of a garage is between 22 and 24 feet. If the width of your automobile is between 6 and 6.5 feet, adding a few feet all the way around will get you up to the minimum size of 20 feet. Your room will seem much more open and airy if you go with a width of either 22 or 24 feet.
The length of the average automobile is around 17 feet nevertheless, the purpose for which you intend to use your garage is the most important consideration in deciding the depth of your perfect garage. If you plan on performing maintenance or repairs on your automobiles within the garage, you will need a deeper space.
The standard dimensions for a garage are 24 feet by 24 feet or 24 feet by 30 feet. There is sufficient room in a garage of an average size to install a few shelves for storing your tools and maybe even a workbench. This would be a fantastic choice for you if you spend the most of your leisure time working on cars or tinkering in the garage.
Is it cheaper to build or buy a garage?
Is it more cost effective to buy a garage kit or to build one from scratch? If you plan to handle all of the labor yourself, purchasing a garage kit rather than building a custom garage will result in cost savings. The majority of simple kits may be purchased for less than $10,000 and can be put together in as little as one day with the assistance of close friends or family members.
Pros And Cons Of A Detached Garage
Its important to weigh all the benefits and potential pitfalls of a major property upgrade before you invest your hard-earned cash in it! Here are both some pros and cons of detached garages :
Pros:
- With a detached garage, you have much more freedom to customize your garage design to the layout of your property. Where an attached garage needs to match the design of your existing house, a detached garage can take on a design of its own.
- A detached garage can be placed wherever property lines, topography, and driveways make it most convenient, whereas an attached garage must beattached.
- Its much easier to include a loft or second story in a detached garage without significantly changing the cost of the garage. Whether converted to a finished living area or simply used as storage space, a loft provides more versatility to your detached garage, as well as extra space. And come on, who doesnt need extra space!
- A detached garage keeps dangerous carbon monoxide away from your home. While the risk is not high with an attached garage, a detached garage provides additional safety. Of course, never leave a vehicle idling in any garage!
Cons
In general, however, the added flexibility of a detached garage more than pays for itself over time. You may want to consider pricing an attached and a detached garage just to compare.
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Why You Should Build A Garage Addition
Building a garage is a big project, and many families build them for various reasons. Here are some different ideas to why you should invest in a garage addition.
A garage addition can be used to…
- Store extra cars, ATVs, boats, or RVs
- Give you a place to workout
- Create a home office space
Now that youve seen some of the different ways you can use a garage addition, it time to explore if a detached or attached garage is right for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A One Car Detached Garage
4/5How Much Does It Cost to BuildDetached Garageaverage costonecarDetachedbuildingread full answer
If you are building a detached garage for one car, the price per square foot can average out to around $40. The cost to build an attached garage is cheaper on average by around 10 percent. This can fluctuate depending on material cost at the time of building, your area, and the contractor that you are using.
Beside above, how much is a 24×24 garage? The cost for a 24×24 Two Car Garage ranges from around $13,500 for a Standard Garage with SmartSiding to around $30,900 for a Legacy Two Story Detached Garage with clapboard siding.
Similarly, it is asked, how much does a one day garage cost?
The Cost to Build a Garage:
| Type of garage | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Single Car Garage 12 x 20 | $20,600$33,000 |
| Single Car Garage 12 x 20 | $27,800$42,600 |
| Double Car Garage 22 x 20 | $37,000$60,900 |
| Double Car Garage 22 x 20 | $47,300$76,900 |
How much value does a detached garage add to your home?
How much value a garage adds to your home varies. The cost to build a garage starts at $7,500, with most garages costing much more. On average, expect to spend around $27,000 to build a garage. This will likely up the resale value of your home by about $21,000 for an 81 percent return on your investment.
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What Goes Into Adding A Garage
Garages just dont pop up overnight. The process is very similar to adding an addition to your house.
Step one: Prepare for the project. The team needs to prepare the site for the project. This typically includes any demo work, tree removal, or preparing the ground for the addition.
Step two: Pour concrete. Once the ground is prepared, your team of remodeling contractors can pour concrete. The price of concrete changes about as often as the weather in Pennsylvania.
Step three: Decide on roofing. The next component in your estimate is the roof trusses and the support beam system that will bring your house and the garage together. There will be a varying cost of lumber here depending on the size of your project.
Once everything is all laid out and a support system is in place, its time to take a look at the roof. Shingles vary in cost, but you can expect the roof to eat up a healthy portion of the garage additions budget due to the cost of the product and labor.
Step four: Pick out other garage necessities. As the garage continues to come together, be sure to account for the cost of at least a few windows, any entryway doors, and certainly a few light fixtures.
Spending Lots Of Time In Your Garage
Speaking of using your garage for more than just storing cars and other items, people often choose to go with a nicer finish on the floors and ceilings, or even the walls. These days, there really isnt that big of a difference between a garage and a finished basement. If youre spending a lot of time in your garage and youre in a climate as unpredictable as Pennsylvanias, then the last thing you might add is a heating system.
Deciding to add a garage to your home is a big project and it shouldnt be taken lightly. Its important to do some research before even talking with a contractor. We recommend figuring out your budget and then work your way backward to plan the space that functions for your home, on budget.
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Cost To Build A Garage Per Square Foot
On average, the cost to build a garage is about $35 to $60 per square foot depending on the dimensions, finishing, and if it’s attached or detached. The most common 2-car garage dimensions fall in the 400576 SF range which costs between $19,600 and $28,200, while a 3-car garage will measure 576 to 864 SF and cost about $28,200 to $42,300.
Cost Of Tearing Down A Garage
If you need to tear down your old garage before installing the new one, be sure to factor that into your price considerations.
Demolishing an attached garage costs between $5 and $15 per square foot, while demolishing a detached garage costs much less, ranging between $4 and $8 per square foot.
The reason for such a big price difference is that it takes more planning and effort and subsequent repair work to demolish a garage that is attached to the house.
Moreover, keep in mind that the costs will also vary depending on the material that the garage is build of. A brick garage is very heavy and will cost the most to tear down. A wood frame garage is the easiest and therefore cheapest to tear down.
If the garage sits on a concrete slab that also needs to be demolished this can add anywhere from $700-1,500 to the total cost.
Any complex plumbing or electric wiring inside the garage will also increase the labor cost to tear it down.
Finally, if there are any hazardous materials that the garage is build of, such as lead paint or asbestos, these will need to be removed prior to the demolition. This can cost $1,200 $5,500.
You will also need to pay to remove and dispose of the old garage materials.
Some of it may be able to be recycled or sold to scrapers, depending on the materials used.
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Hiring Your Garage Building Contractor
To hire a professional builder to build your garage, browse the contractors that we list here on HomeGuide to get the work done, and use the following criteria to help create your shortlist:
- Can show examples of similar work they have done
- Been in business for at least five years
- Have the necessary certifications or licenses
- Are insured and bonded
- Offer warranties on materials and labor
- Are A/A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau
- Have good reviews on HomeGuide and Google
How Deep Is A Single Car Garage
Other Garage Sizes That Should Be Considered A single-car garage typically has dimensions of around 18-24 feet in depth, 8 feet in width, and 7 feet in height at the opening. You should plan on a width of around 16 feet for a garage that can accommodate two cars .
- It is important to keep in mind that you will probably be working with supports, which will reduce the size of the garage door, while evaluating the sizes of three- or four-car garages.
- Especially if youre navigating the roads with not one but two of those monstrous vehicles.
- The width of the biggest vehicles is only little less than six feet and three inches.
If you add another 12 or 14 inches for the side mirrors, you will start to get close to the eight-foot range for the width of the garage door. Its a good thing that a lot of those vehicles have side mirrors that fold in when theyre not in use. But even so, at some time youll have to get out of the car and open the door, right? When you add an additional three feet for each door, it is likely that the typical size of a car garage will not be sufficient for the number of vehicles being stored inside.
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