Detached garage cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $24,200 – $48,600
- Per sq ft
- $42 – $83.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −16%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #295
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in Fort Smith, plan on $24,200 to $48,600 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $42 to $83.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 16% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 30% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$31,500 to $41,300
About $54.50 to $71 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 44% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,500 | $22,900 |
| Labor | $13,800 | $18,000 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $340 |
| Total | $31,500 | $41,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,200 | $27,000 | 56% |
| Labor | $10,600 | $15,900 | $21,200 | 44% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $280 | $430 | 1% |
| Total | $24,200 | $36,400 | $48,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Fort Smith number
Labor is 44% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), cement masons and concrete finishers (15%), construction laborers (20%), electricians (10%), roofers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Fort Smith the blended ratio comes out at 0.74.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fort Smith metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,200, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.9) and land at $130 to $430.
Planning more than one job in Fort Smith?
Because every project leans on different trades, Fort Smith's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, garage door runs −12% and concrete driveway −22%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,050 – $4,400 | −16% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $600 – $3,250 | −12% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $2,900 – $7,150 | −22% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $30,300 – $61,500 | −20% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Fort Smith bid
Size and finish level
HomeGuide puts a 2-car detached garage at $20,000-$57,600, with the spread driven by how finished it is.
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Fort Smith
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fort Smith 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
$24,200 to $34,000
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$31,500 to $41,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$38,900 to $48,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,200 – $14,300 | $13,300 – $17,400 | $16,400 – $20,500 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $24,200 – $34,000 | $31,500 – $41,300 | $38,900 – $48,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $30,200 – $42,400 | $39,400 – $51,500 | $48,500 – $60,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $37,800 – $53,000 | $49,200 – $64,300 | $60,500 – $75,700 |
Climate in Fort Smith: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Ft Smith Rgnl Ap (in the city). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through October are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Fort Smith (6 of 12 months). January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; 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 July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Fort Smith gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and September are the driest, at 3.9 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 78 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 | 51 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 57 | 33 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 66 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 68 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 63 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 51 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
Fort Smith labor market for detached garage
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 Fort Smith is 0.74 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $20.39 an hour, which is 30% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $17.84 and $23.62 an hour. BLS counts 240 of them working in the area, 25.1 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 $17.77 an hour, 22% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $21.83 an hour. About 670 work in the metro. That is 70.1 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 $18.70 an hour, which is 32% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $17.20 and $24.27 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 13.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is about average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $25.24 an hour, 17% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $19.09 and $31.02 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 38.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $21.27 an hour, which is 20% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $17.80 and $24.62 an hour. BLS counts 140 of them working in the area, 14.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.62 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,100. At the 25th percentile ($17.84) it shrinks by about $850. The total moves by 3.0% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 95,560 jobs in the Fort Smith area. That makes it the 210th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.06% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $17.84 | $20.39 | $23.62 | $29.12 | 0.70 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $17.20 | $18.70 | $24.27 | $27.41 | 0.68 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.31 | $17.77 | $21.83 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $19.09 | $25.24 | $31.02 | $30.38 | 0.83 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $17.80 | $21.27 | $24.62 | $26.65 | 0.80 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.74 | |||||
Fort Smith against nearby metros and the rest of Arkansas
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Fort Smith. Texarkana comes closest at about $36,800.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $24,200 – $48,600 | $36,400 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $25,400 – $51,000 | $38,200 | +5% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $25,700 – $51,700 | $38,700 | +6% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +10% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $25,100 – $50,400 | $37,700 | +4% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $24,500 – $49,100 | $36,800 | +1% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $25,100 – $50,400 | $37,800 | +4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +20% |
Across 300 US metros, Fort Smith comes in at #295 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Fort Smith is 4% below the Arkansas figure.
Other Arkansas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $25,100 – $50,400 | $37,700 | +4% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $25,400 – $51,000 | $38,200 | +5% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $24,400 – $49,100 | $36,800 | +1% |
Cities with a workforce like Fort Smith's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Smith against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $25,200 – $50,500 | $37,800 | +4% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $25,000 – $50,100 | $37,600 | +3% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +30% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | +30% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detached garage in Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Fort Smith?
For 576 sq ft, expect $24,200 to $48,600 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $31,500 to $41,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Fort Smith?
About $42 to $83.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $38,200, which is 5% more than Fort Smith ($36,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 44% at the midpoint, or $15,900 out of $36,400. Materials are 56% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Fort Smith?
$30,200 to $60,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Fort Smith?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $430 for fees in the Fort Smith area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 4% below the Arkansas statewide estimate ($37,800 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $20.39 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.84 to $23.62.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Fort Smith?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $24,200 to $34,000 and premium work $38,900 to $48,600. 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 Fort Smith?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. March and September 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 Fort Smith
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).