Detached garage cost in Montgomery, AL
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $25,300 – $50,800
- Per sq ft
- $43.50 – $87.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #275
- 1 = most expensive
Montgomery homeowners pay roughly $25,300 to $50,800 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $43.50 to $87.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Montgomery is 13% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $22.77 an hour in the Montgomery area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Montgomery, AL, standard level
$33,000 to $43,200
About $57 to $74.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $14,700 | $19,200 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $350 |
| Total | $33,000 | $43,200 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Montgomery, AL
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,800 | 55% |
| Labor | $11,300 | $17,000 | $22,600 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $290 | $450 | 1% |
| Total | $25,300 | $38,100 | $50,800 | 100% |
Where the Montgomery price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 5 trades: carpenters at 45%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 15%, construction laborers at 20%, electricians at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, Montgomery wages are 0.79 times the national level. Labor makes up about 45% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Montgomery metro is 96.4 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,800, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (89.7) and land at $130 to $450.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Montgomery. The wage table below marks each row.
Planning more than one job in Montgomery?
Because every project leans on different trades, Montgomery's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, garage door runs −9% and concrete driveway −17%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,600 | −12% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $620 – $3,350 | −9% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,600 | −17% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $32,500 – $65,800 | −15% |
When to schedule detached garage in Montgomery
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Montgomery Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through May and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Montgomery (6 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in June, July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Montgomery gets about 51 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.2 inches in March). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.7 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 93 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 37 | 4.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 65 | 40 | 4.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 72 | 47 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 53 | 4.0 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 92 | 69 | 4.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 66 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 80 | 55 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 70 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 62 | 39 | 5.0 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Montgomery
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Montgomery wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$25,300 to $35,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$33,000 to $43,200
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$40,600 to $50,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,600 – $15,000 | $13,900 – $18,200 | $17,100 – $21,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $25,300 – $35,500 | $33,000 – $43,200 | $40,600 – $50,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $31,600 – $44,300 | $41,200 – $53,900 | $50,700 – $63,400 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $39,500 – $55,400 | $51,400 – $67,300 | $63,300 – $79,200 |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Montgomery
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Garage apartments
A garage with living space is a different project: HomeGuide puts them at $80,000-$300,000.
Permits
You need a permit for a detached garage: $150-$500 on average, with separate electrical or plumbing permits if those are involved.
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 5 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Montgomery is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $22.77 an hour, which is 22% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.72 and $26.19 an hour. BLS counts 300 of them working in the area, 18.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $17.61 an hour, 22% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $14.10 and $21.41 an hour. About 1,040 work in the metro. That is 62.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $21.27 an hour, which is 22% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $17.23 and $26.49 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 7.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.99 an hour, 21% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.26 and $30.23 an hour. About 760 work in the metro. That is 45.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Montgomery metro, so we used the Alabama statewide median: $21.96 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $20.36 and $25.64 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.19 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,150. At the 25th percentile ($17.72) it shrinks by about $1,700. The total moves by 3.0% or 4.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 165,550 jobs in the Montgomery area. That makes it the 142nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.11% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $17.72 | $22.77 | $26.19 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $17.23 | $21.27 | $26.49 | $27.41 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $14.10 | $17.61 | $21.41 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.26 | $23.99 | $30.23 | $30.38 | 0.79 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $20.36 | $21.96 | $25.64 | $26.65 | 0.82 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
How Montgomery compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Montgomery. Dothan is the lowest at about $36,800 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 95 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery, ALthis page | $25,300 – $50,800 | $38,100 | |
| Auburn, AL50 miles | $25,400 – $51,000 | $38,200 | level |
| Birmingham, AL80 miles | $26,000 – $52,200 | $39,100 | +3% |
| Columbus, GA90 miles | $24,900 – $50,000 | $37,400 | −2% |
| Dothan, AL95 miles | $24,500 – $49,100 | $36,800 | −3% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL95 miles | $25,700 – $51,600 | $38,600 | +2% |
| Alabama (statewide) | $25,600 – $51,300 | $38,500 | +1% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +14% |
Across 300 US metros, Montgomery comes in at #275 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Montgomery is 1% below the Alabama figure.
Other Alabama metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $26,000 – $52,200 | $39,100 | +3% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | +2% |
| Mobile, AL | 172,550 jobs | $25,800 – $51,700 | $38,700 | +2% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 108,460 jobs | $25,700 – $51,600 | $38,600 | +2% |
| Daphne, AL | 87,120 jobs | $25,400 – $51,100 | $38,300 | level |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $25,400 – $51,000 | $38,200 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Montgomery's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Montgomery against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | 166,020 jobs | $32,100 – $64,400 | $48,200 | +27% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | +5% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $24,400 – $49,000 | $36,700 | −4% |
| Beaumont, TX | 163,220 jobs | $27,000 – $54,200 | $40,600 | +7% |
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Detached garage in Montgomery: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Montgomery?
For 576 sq ft, expect $25,300 to $50,800 in the Montgomery area. A standard-spec job lands at $33,000 to $43,200. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Montgomery?
About $43.50 to $87.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $450 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Montgomery or Auburn?
Auburn is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $38,200, which is 0% more than Montgomery ($38,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Montgomery?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $17,000 out of $38,100. Materials are 55% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Montgomery?
$31,600 to $63,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Montgomery?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $450 for fees in the Montgomery area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Montgomery expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Alabama?
Montgomery is 1% below the Alabama statewide estimate ($38,500 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Alabama; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Montgomery?
The BLS median is $22.77 an hour in the Montgomery area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.72 to $26.19.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Montgomery?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $25,300 to $35,500 and premium work $40,600 to $50,800. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Montgomery?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through May and September through November. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Detached garage near Montgomery
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Detached Garage Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Trusscore: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage? 2026 Price Guide (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Angi: How Much Does It Cost to Build a Detached Garage? [2026 Data] (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = installed range / 1.6, because Angi puts professional labor at roughly an additional 60% of the materials cost (materials about 62.5% of the total).