I’ve spent more than 23 years helping people plan garages, and the first question is always the same: what does it cost?
A one-car garage typically runs $15,000 to $35,000, a two-car $25,000 to $60,000, and a three-car $30,000 to $80,000. But it really depends on size, attachment, materials, and local labor rates, so cost per square foot tells you more than any single total. Below, I’ll break down the cost to build a garage by size, exact dimensions, type, and material, so you can plan a realistic budget.
Cost to Build a Garage by Size
Size is the single biggest driver of construction costs. A bigger garage needs a larger concrete foundation, more framing, more roofing, and more labor. Here’s how the cost to build a garage breaks down by the number of cars, from a one-car garage up through an RV garage.
| How Does Size Impact the Cost of Building a Garage? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Garage size | Typical square footage | Cost to build (2026) |
| 1-car garage | 240–384 | $15,000–$35,000 |
| 2-car garage | 400–576 | $25,000–$60,000 |
| 3-car garage | 600–900 | $30,000–$80,000 |
| 4-car garage | 900–1,400 | $50,000–$85,000 |
| RV garage | 700–1,200 | $36,000–$140,000 |
 One-car garage A single-car garage is about 12 to 18 feet wide by 20 to 30 feet deep (240 to 540 square feet). It fits one vehicle with little room for extra storage space. |  Two-car garage A two-car garage runs from 20 by 20 feet (400 square feet) up to 24 by 30 feet (720 square feet). It is the most common size built. |
 Three-car garage A three-car garage spans about 30 to 36 feet wide by 20 to 30 feet deep (600 to 1,080 square feet). It usually needs one single door plus one double door. |  Four-car garage A four-car garage covers 900 to 1,400 square feet, with room for vehicles plus a workshop. A prefab metal four-car build like our 40×40 metal building comes in well below stick-built. |
 RV garage An RV garage needs extra height and depth, usually 40 to 50 feet deep with 12- to 14-foot doors. A prefab metal RV garage is the budget-friendly path, since steel handles tall clear spans well. | |
Cost to Build a Garage by Dimension
Most people shop by exact dimensions, not by “one-car” or “two-car.” Here’s what common footprints run in 2026, built as a finished garage. Prefab metal versions of these (like what we offer at Alan’s Factory Outlet) generally cost less than the stick-built ranges here.
| How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension | Square footage | Estimated finished cost | Best for |
| 20×20 | 400 | $16,000–$32,000 | Two compact cars |
| 24×24 | 576 | $35,000–$50,000 | Two full-size vehicles plus storage |
| 30×40 | 1,200 | $45,000–$85,000 | Three to four vehicles or a workshop |
| 40×60 | 2,400 | $90,000–$170,000 | RV, equipment, or a large workshop |
Attached vs. Detached Garage
An attached garage usually costs less to build, while a detached garage costs a bit more but gives you more flexibility. Here is how the two compare.
 Attached garage Shares a wall and utilities with the house, so it costs less to build, about $30 to $55 per square foot. A two-car attached garage runs roughly $17,000 to $40,000. It is convenient, but harder to expand and it changes your home layout. |  Detached garage Stands on its own, so the cost to build a detached garage runs more, about $40 to $70 per square foot, or roughly $25,000 to $60,000 for two cars, because detached garage construction needs its own foundation and separate utility runs. It runs about 20% to 25% more than an attached garage. |
Metal Garage vs. Wood
Material is the other big cost, and it’s where a lot of long-term money is won or lost. Wood-framed (stick-built) garages are the most common, but they carry the highest material and labor costs and need the most upkeep. A metal garage costs less up front, goes up faster, and holds up with almost no maintenance, and it pairs well with insulation for better energy efficiency.
| Factor | Wood (stick-built) garage | Metal garage |
|---|---|---|
| Up-front build cost | Higher; lumber and framing labor add up | Lower; steel and on-site assembly cost less |
| Maintenance | Repainting, rot and pest repair over time | Minimal; rot-, fire-, and pest-resistant |
| Durability/lifespan | Solid with upkeep | Long lifespan, low upkeep |
| Customization | Most design flexibility on site | Wide size and color options, quick to order |
Because a metal garage skips most of the lumber cost and cuts labor with factory-built panels and on-site assembly, it’s usually the lower cost once you count years of maintenance you won’t be paying for. The gap between steel framing and wood framing shows up in both the build cost and the upkeep.
Try our 3D Metal Garage Builder to price one out for your needs.
Materials Breakdown
Once you’ve picked a size and material, these are the pieces that make up the build, with typical per-square-foot costs.
| Garage Materials | ||
|---|---|---|
| Component | Typical cost (2026) | Notes |
| Foundation (concrete slab) | $6–$14/sq ft ($2,000–$7,000 total) | Includes site preparation; see foundation types |
| Framing (wood, incl. roof trusses) | $11–$30/sq ft | Metal framing can cost less |
| Roofing (installed) | $4–$16+/sq ft | Asphalt shingles are cheapest; metal roofing lasts longer |
| Siding | $4–$15/sq ft | Vinyl siding is cheapest; brick, stucco, and metal cost more |
| Garage door (installed) | Single $550–$1,200; double $1,600–$3,200 | Roll-up doors come standard on prefab garages; see garage door costs |
Features and Add-Ons
Beyond the shell, these upgrades customize the space. Wiring, plumbing, insulation, drywall, and interior finishing are where a bare garage becomes a workshop or a comfortable year-round room.
| Popular Garage Add-Ons | |
|---|---|
| Feature | Typical cost (2026) |
| Electrical service (electrical wiring and lighting) | $1,100–$3,000+ |
| Plumbing rough-in | $4–$6/sq ft |
| Insulation | $0.47–$4.50/sq ft |
| Windows (installed) | $320–$1,300 each |
| Building permit | $500–$2,000 |
| Workshop upgrades (HVAC system, workbench, storage) | From $5,000 |
Planning garage insulation and a garage workshop early keeps the interior on budget.
Building Permit Cost by State
This is the part of the garage planning process people tend to overlook. Almost every jurisdiction requires building permits for a new garage, and permit fees vary widely with location, site conditions, and project scope. A basic garage permit runs $150 to $500 in much of the country, but big metros and add-on utilities push it higher. Budget $500 to $2,000 overall, plan for approval time, and always confirm local permitting requirements, building codes, and zoning first.
| Average Building Permit Costs | |
|---|---|
| Permit item | Typical cost (2026) |
| Garage building permit (national range) | $150–$500 |
| Total permits and inspections for the project | $500–$2,000 |
| Large metros / high-fee jurisdictions | Higher; confirm with your local building department |
| Garage-to-living-space conversion (adds HVAC/electrical permits) | Higher; each system is permitted separately |
Confirm your local permit requirements before you build.
Prefab vs. On-Site Garages
A prefabricated garage has its main parts built in a factory and delivered to your site, and it’s a real cost saver. Prefab metal garages are more affordable than stick-built garages because steel costs less than lumber, labor is much lower, and many include delivery and assembly in as little as a day. Building on-site with a contractor gives you the most customization options, but makes labor a large share of the total project cost and takes far longer.
Weigh prefab garage kits against building on-site. General financing options like construction loans can spread the cost over time.
Build Your Garage for Less With Alan’s Factory Outlet
Once you know your size and budget, the fastest, most affordable route to a durable garage is a prefab metal building. Our prefab metal garages ship with free delivery and installation across our 21-state service area, in sizes from a compact one-car up through RV-height buildings, and we’ll walk you through the design from start to finish. Get your custom metal garage started with Alan’s Factory Outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 24-by-24 garage (about 576 square feet, a roomy two-car) typically runs $35,000 to $50,000 built as a finished detached structure. A prefab metal 24×24 comes in lower, since the shell and assembly cost less than stick-built framing.
A prefab metal garage is usually the cheapest way to get a durable, permanent structure. Steel costs less than lumber, on-site assembly cuts labor, and roll-up doors and delivery often come included, so you skip much of the contractor cost of an on-site build.
A prefab metal garage can be delivered and assembled in as little as a day once your site is ready, while an on-site stick-built garage usually takes several weeks to a couple of months, depending on weather, permits, and finishes.
Buying a prefab kit or building is generally cheaper than building from scratch on-site. A prefab garage skips much of the design and labor cost of a custom build, which is where a large share of an on-site project’s budget goes.
Yes. A garage is one of the more reliable upgrades for resale; it can lift your home value, and it makes a home more appealing to buyers, who broadly treat a garage as a must-have. A detached garage often adds the most flexibility, since it can become a workshop or living space later.
