Why should building a detached garage cost so much? However, factors such as size, materials, and site location can greatly affect price. For a typical two-car garage, that translates to an average project cost of $19,600 – $28,200.
Recognizing these costs early on aids in more productive planning. Detached homes provide a different experience than attached homes. This degree of clarity around the differences is invaluable for making informed decisions.
Providing details on the calculation of detached price takes the guesswork out of budgeting. Find out more about the subtleties in our continuous blog here.
Factors Influencing Garage Costs
1. Materials and Construction
Building a detached garage provides important opportunities to select the right materials. It has a huge effect on the total costs. Wood, while attractive, typically comes with a higher cost because of the upkeep it requires.
On the other hand, bricks offer the ultimate in durability and a classic appearance that can increase costs dramatically. Prefabricated garages, usually made of metal or composite materials, are a more cost-effective alternative than custom-built structures.
With custom builds, you can get a more tailored approach to the designs and materials you choose. This improves both aesthetics and usability, but it does add a significant cost. To illustrate, consider the table below, which compares prefabricated versus custom-built garages in terms of material cost efficiency:
| Type | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Prefabricated | $40 – $50 |
| Custom-Built | $60 – $70 |
2. Size and Dimensions
The size of a garage is a simple factor that influences the cost. The more materials and labor you use, the more expensive your garage will be, so bigger garages add to the total cost.
For example, a basic detached single-car garage only averages about $17,000. On the other hand, multi-car garages with additional storage can quickly double that to over $50,000.
Size directly affects cost, with the average one-car garage costing less than those built for two or more cars. Below are some common garage dimensions and their respective price ranges:
- 12×20 feet, $17,000 and up
- 24×24 feet, $35,000 and up
- 36×24 feet, $50,000 and up
3. Location and Accessibility
Your geographical location plays a huge role in determining your garage costs, as material and labor prices will differ from region to region. Increased demand from higher population densities and increased logistical challenges make costs in urban areas generally higher.
Conversely, rural areas tend to be more affordable. Accessibility is another major factor; the cheaper the construction site is to get to, the cheaper the costs as it makes logistics easier.
Zoning regulations can also further drive up costs by imposing requirements on where and how garages are built. Considering urban and rural cost differences can help in planning:
- Urban: Higher material and labor costs
- Rural: Generally lower costs with fewer logistical hurdles
4. Labor and Permits
Labor is the second largest cost component of building a detached garage. Skilled labor, which is needed for everything from framing to electrical work, can also ramp up the cost significantly.
Getting the required building permits is essential and comes with location-specific costs. Permits help guarantee that your building will meet local building codes and are key in avoiding future fines or legal issues.
Here’s a checklist of required permits:
- Building Permit
- Electrical Permit
- Zoning Approval
5. Custom Features and Add-ons
Unique features can add considerable costs to garages. Add amenities such as power hookups, insulation, or high-end garage doors and you’re adding functionality and costs.
The national average for garage door installation is between $730 and $1,320. This expense can be in the hundreds depending on the type and size of door required. Desirable custom features include:
- Insulation
- Electrical Outlets
- Automatic Door Openers
- Storage Lofts
Average Pricing for Detached Garages
When it comes to the average pricing for detached garages, understanding the costs involved is crucial for making informed decisions. Detached garages also play a large factor, as the types are massive and the price tag can vary greatly.
The average cost of a typical 20×24 two-car detached garage ranges from $23,446 to $46,690. Your actual price will depend on the model and options you select. Prefabricated garages should provide a more affordable alternative at about $15,000 on average with customizations. In contrast, garage kits (which also include delivery) can range from $3,000 to $15,000.
Regional Cost Variations
The strength of the regional economy will affect the price of building a detached garage. More expensive garage construction is usually found in areas with high living costs. Especially in vertical, urban centers such as San Francisco and New York, where the costs are often exacerbated.
This jump is due to the continued increase in labor and material costs. On the other hand, rural areas might have cheaper alternatives. Local labor markets also affect total pricing, because the availability of skilled labor and wage levels will vary widely depending on the region.
Areas such as the Midwest tend to have lower average garage costs. Conversely, the West Coast and Northeast tend to experience greater costs.
Typical Price Range
The style and size of the garage have a huge impact on the overall price range. A standard single-car stick-built garage can run anywhere from $9,600 to $16,800. If you’re thinking about getting a three-car garage, expect to pay between $40 and $70 per square foot.
In general, the average cost to build a detached garage ranges from $19,200 to $33,600. High-end finishing levels, including insulation and specialized flooring, can double or triple the base price. Here’s a quick breakdown of price ranges based on garage size:
- One-car garage: $6,378 to $16,800
- Two-car garage: $23,446 to $46,690
- Three-car garage: $40 to $70 per square foot
Budgeting Tips
Prospective garage builders should keep these budgeting tips in mind to avoid any construction headaches down the line. It’s always a good idea to budget for things that come up, and they usually do once the build starts.
Eliminate missteps, like assuming material costs will be lower or forgetting to budget for permits. If you want to cut costs without compromising quality, look into purchasing a prefab garage or garage kit.
Here’s a checklist of budgeting considerations:
- Set a realistic budget and stick to it
- Research and compare local contractor rates
- Consider cost-effective materials and construction methods
- Plan for potential delays and additional fees
Detached vs Attached Homes
Differences in Structure
Detached and attached homes differ significantly in form and structure, making them more or less attractive in their amenities and use. As the name implies, a single family home stands alone, providing total separation from neighboring houses. This structural independence opens the door to much greater personalization possibilities, from room configuration to exterior aesthetic modifications, making it a perfect home for many homeowners.
In comparison, attached homes, like townhouses or condos, are properties that share a common wall with bordering units. This thoughtful design promotes a friendly, neighborly vibe, knitting new residents into the existing community. It creates greater opportunities for those seeking strong neighborhood ties, especially in the vibrant Toronto neighbourhoods.
However, the shared walls in attached homes are not quite as straightforward, as they can both affect sound transmission and privacy levels. While this is great news for extroverts, it is a problem for introverts who value their quiet. Detached homes, on the other hand, provide a greater level of privacy as they are not attached structures.
Homeowners enjoy the peace of mind that comes with not having raucous next-door neighbors ruining their good times, making the choice between these family home options an important one.
Structural Advantages of Detached Homes:
- Greater potential for customization and expansion
- Enhanced privacy due to lack of shared walls
- Freedom to implement personal aesthetic preferences
Privacy and Space Considerations
Detached homes naturally offer more privacy, since there are no adjacent walls and no shared hallways or lobbies. This separation allows for a much quieter place to call home. It’s particularly attractive to families as well as those who enjoy their personal space.
Outdoor space is another big advantage of detached homes. These homes usually feature ample yards, offering space for gardening, entertaining or just enjoying nature right outside the door. In Des Plaines, IL, over 60% of the three-bedroom homes on the market are detached single-family homes. This is a huge draw for buyers who appreciate outdoor space.
Privacy-Enhancing Features for Detached Homes:
- Fenced yards for added seclusion
- Strategic landscaping to create natural barriers
- Window treatments and soundproofing materials
Maintenance and Upkeep
Detached homes have different maintenance responsibilities than attached homes, which can affect a homeowner’s lifestyle and budget. Detached homeowners are solely responsible for all exterior maintenance from landscaping to roof replacement to painting. That autonomy means you can choose to let things slide, but it also means you need to be prepared to do some regular maintenance work.
Attached homes typically come with shared and sometimes even provided maintenance, usually in the form of a homeowners association (HOA). This can lighten the load for each person, but often at the cost of HOA fees and HOA red tape.
While it’s true that detached homes allow for greater freedom to change the aesthetic of a home, they need a more proactive approach to maintenance.
Maintenance Checklist for Detached Homes:
- Regular lawn care and landscaping
- Roof inspections and repairs
- Exterior painting and siding maintenance
- Driveway and walkway upkeep
Understanding Detached Homes
Detached homes, more commonly known as single-family homes, are residential dwelling units that do not share any walls with another home. They provide the ultimate flexibility of privacy and personal expression space, often contained within their own quarter-acre plus island of land. What makes these homes special is not just their standalone nature; it’s the versatility they allow for homeowners in customizing their family home experience.
These homes tend to be spacious, with several bedrooms, providing a range of sizes from two to five or more. This variety meets the needs of various family sizes, stages, and lifestyles. Unlike any other housing type, detached homes offer the unique challenge—and opportunity—for single-family homeowners to radically customize their residence. Perhaps you’d like to build a deck, add a pool, or otherwise expand your livable space. Just be mindful of HOA restrictions to maintain good relations with your neighbors.
For families seeking more room to spread out, detached homes have an unmistakable allure. The absence of adjoining walls fosters a private, tranquil home life that is particularly well-suited to families with school-aged children and those who work from home. This environment encourages a sense of independence and personal space, making it an ideal choice for many homeowners.
It’s no surprise that the larger yards of these homes are a significant draw. They provide ample space for outdoor recreation, gardening, and hosting events. In Downers Grove, you’ll find a vivid streetscape of older detached houses mixed with newer infill, showcasing a variety of styles. This design flexibility means families can discover a perfect home that aligns with their individual needs and aesthetic preferences.
The unique design of detached homes gives homeowners the most freedom and flexibility to create their ideal living space. Unlike attached units, where changes could impact neighboring walls or structures, in detached home neighborhoods, creativity and personality can flourish. Whether you prefer a contemporary open-plan aesthetic or a classic divided-floor decorative touch, the choices are extensive and tailored to personal preferences.
Coventry Homes and Toll Brothers offer a varied range of styles and sizes. Whether you want a charming little cottage or massive estate, their offerings suit everyone’s desires. Renovations and expansions offer terrific opportunities for private sector homeowners. Unlike their detached counterparts, they can much more easily and quickly change their unit size as their family expands or their lifestyle evolves.
Features of Detached Homes
- Detached homes are also attractive for their privacy, large amounts of yard space, and unique architectural styles.
- Yard space is extremely important, improving the aesthetic value of the property and adding a usable outdoor space.
- Detached homes have the opportunity for future expansions, like adding a few more bedrooms or extending a garage.
- Architectural styles are varied with Colonial, Craftsman, and Contemporary styles all featuring their own unique characteristics.
Benefits of Choosing Detached Homes
- Detached homes provide space between neighbors, privacy, and the room to build a home that reflects your unique personality.
- They improve the quality of family life with space for kids to run around, and space for family reunions.
- Detached residences offer a safe long-term investment, frequently gaining value as the years go by.
- Lifestyle benefits are quiet, independence, and the opportunity for money through rental or resale.
Understanding Attached Homes
Attached family homes are defined as a residential structure with homes that are connected, sharing at least one wall. You can find this distinctive architectural style in many attached family home options like townhouses and row houses. These properties are built right up to the lot line, creating a contiguous row of buildings, which is particularly common in many Toronto neighbourhoods.
These attached family residences often come with more limited outdoor space. However, what they lack in horizontal space, they often make up for in vertical living space, more so than detached homes. Attached homes are especially prevalent in multi-family buildings like condominiums, as seen in attached home-heavy states like Illinois.
Perhaps the greatest draw of attached homes for city-goers and families is their value. As home prices continue to rise, these homes also offer a budget-friendly entry into homeownership, making them the perfect fit for first-time buyers and buyers on a tighter budget.
In many Chicago suburbs, these homes are a dime a dozen and extremely desirable. Cost-effective and attractive to investors and families alike, attached homes represent a homebuyer’s best value in the current real estate market.
The community aspect is perhaps the biggest attraction of all. Building a sense of community is one of the key benefits to living in attached housing, because you’re never far from your neighbors.
This community setting can enhance the overall housing experience. Shared amenities really expand upon the connected lifestyle, allowing residents to enjoy access to community pools, parks, and clubhouses—all of which are highly desirable for families and social butterflies alike.
Features of Attached Homes
Attached homes offer many amenities and benefits that today’s homebuyers seek. Perhaps the most attractive feature are the shared amenities that typically come along with these communities.
Residents may appreciate the access to fitness centers, beautifully landscaped courtyards, and parks without the hassle of upkeep that comes with owning them separately. This collective responsibility can also relieve some individual maintenance burden and expense.
The form of attached homes often lends itself to compact living spaces that are designed around the concept of efficiency. This can result in more open floor plans that make the most of every square foot, giving residents a comfortable but highly livable home.
Many of these homes also have three or more levels. Living spaces are concentrated on one level and sleeping quarters on another, providing a distinct separation of space yet an open flow to all areas of living.
- Open floor plans
- Multi-level designs
- Shared amenities
- Efficient use of space
Advantages of Attached Living
For first-time buyers, attached homes have clear advantages. They typically include lower up front purchase costs, but also can result in lower future maintenance costs.
The shared walls also help with heating and cooling cost, making them a smart financial choice over the long term. Attached neighborhoods usually have higher levels of social cohesion.
Residents are deeply involved in community life and work together to make community decisions. This further fosters a supportive and connected living environment. It’s priceless to families and people who value strong, connected communities.
Attached homes can be a financial boon, too, since they share maintenance costs. Plus, their attached construction makes for more affordable utility bills through energy efficiency.
These homes provide a more attainable alternative for those seeking to meet the demands of affordability and a connected community.
Choosing the Right Home Type
Evaluating Lifestyle Needs
When selecting the right home type, consider lifestyle needs in-depth. On the other hand, a detached single-family home offers plenty of privacy and room to spread out. This works well for avid gardeners or anyone with larger pets that want more yard space.
Or, a townhouse would be a good middle ground in many cases, usually offering at least a modest backyard and yard, but taking up less space. The different floors in a townhouse might make it a poor choice for someone who likes to avoid stairs.
Owning a condominium or a home with a homeowner association allows for maintenance-free living. Get ready to adhere to some pretty strict limitations that are attached to it.
Family size and dynamics play an important role in these decisions. A family with young children may prefer a detached house with extra bedrooms and space for playing outside.
Proximity and accessibility to work, schools, and other amenities is another top consideration. By living closer to these essentials, we can spend less time commuting and avoid the negative impacts of a longer commute.
Here’s a quick list of lifestyle considerations for prospective homebuyers:
- Privacy and space requirements
- Family size and dynamics
- Proximity to work and schools
- Access to amenities and recreational areas
- Maintenance preferences
Considering Future Plans
Future plans are a huge factor in deciding whether to buy a detached or attached home. For people anticipating an increase in family size, a detached home usually provides the option to grow.
At the same time, the promise of additional rental income from an accessory dwelling unit, such as a basement apartment, can make detached homes more appealing. However, short term investment potential varies greatly based on home type.
While detached homes tend to appreciate more because of land value, townhomes and condos can bring more consistent rental income.
For future planning, consider:
- Anticipated family growth
- Possibility of rental income
- Long-term investment potential
- Market trends and resale value
Cost and Customization Factors
Cost is always a most important consideration, particularly when customization is factored in. Detached homes tend to give homebuyers more opportunities to customize a home, raising the price tag.
Finding the right balance between budget limitations and features you want is important. Understand return on investment. When building custom features, consider their ROI before diving into development.
However, not every upgrade will increase your home’s value the same way. For those considering building a garage, factors to keep in mind include:
- Size and type of vehicles
- Storage needs
- Budget for construction
- Local zoning and permit requirements
Conclusion
First-time buyers often have a hard time deciding if they should buy a detached or attached home. Detached homes provide more privacy and space, while attached homes usually provide more community and lower cost. By weighing these factors you will be able to make the best possible decision. Detached garages are usually more expensive, but they offer more flexibility and space. As an added bonus, these garages also significantly increase the value of a detached home, making them a wise investment. If you prefer detached options, think about all the advantages they offer, from greater personal privacy to potential appreciation in value. If you’re most concerned with community and cost, attached homes could be the way to go. Understand what you can do, and figure out what works best for how you want to live your life. Explore these options further and see what resonates with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors influence detached garage costs?
Detached garage costs can vary widely based on size, materials, and design level, influenced by your local real estate market. Factors such as labor costs and the availability of permits in your Toronto neighbourhood also play a significant role in determining overall pricing.
How much does a detached garage typically cost?
The cost of a new garage base unit averages from $19,000 to $30,000, influenced by size and amenities, which many homeowners consider when investing in family homes.
What is the difference in pricing between detached and attached homes?
Detached homes, often considered the perfect home for many homeowners, tend to be more expensive than attached homes due to higher land and building costs, offering more privacy and livable space.
How can I choose between a detached and an attached home?
When selecting a family home, consider privacy, room, and budget. Detached family homes are more appealing for their greater privacy and yard space, while attached homes often present a more affordable option with lower maintenance.
What are the benefits of owning a detached home?
Detached homes, often considered the perfect home for many homeowners, provide a high degree of privacy, space, and flexibility. With more yard space and fewer neighboring houses, they cater to those who value independence and seek a customized family living experience.
Are there cost advantages to attached homes?
Yes, attached family homes are generally more affordable due to their lower construction costs per unit, as they are built in clusters. These homes also tend to come with lower utility bills, thanks to shared walls with neighboring houses on both sides.
What should I consider when deciding on home type?
Consider your travel style and budget when exploring available homes. Detached family homes are ideal for buyers seeking space and privacy, while attached family home options appeal to budget-minded buyers looking for access to community assets.