Detached garage cost in Modesto, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $33,200 – $66,600
- Per sq ft
- $57.50 – $115
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #14
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Modesto, CA usually costs $33,200 to $66,600 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $57.50 to $115 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $6,350 more. Carpenters earn a median of $35.45 an hour in the Modesto area, 22% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Modesto, CA, standard level
$43,200 to $56,500
About $74.50 to $97.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,700 | $25,700 |
| Labor | $23,200 | $30,400 |
| Permits and fees | $270 | $410 |
| Total | $43,200 | $56,500 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Modesto, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $22,700 | $30,300 | 46% |
| Labor | $17,900 | $26,800 | $35,800 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $520 | 1% |
| Total | $33,200 | $49,900 | $66,600 | 100% |
Why Modesto prices look the way they do
Labor is 54% 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 Modesto the blended ratio comes out at 1.24.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Modesto is at 105.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $22,700 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.1: $160 to $520.
What nearby projects cost in Modesto
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Modesto wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+24%) and garage door lowest (+10%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,000 | +17% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $780 – $4,050 | +10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,450 – $11,500 | +24% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $43,500 – $87,900 | +14% |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Modesto
Electrical
Running power to a detached garage costs $1,000-$3,800 for a standard build and $5,000 or more for a long trench or amperage upgrade (Angi, Trusscore).
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Modesto
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Modesto. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
Basic
$33,200 to $46,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$43,200 to $56,500
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$53,200 to $66,600
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,900 – $19,600 | $18,200 – $23,800 | $22,400 – $28,000 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $33,200 – $46,500 | $43,200 – $56,500 | $53,200 – $66,600 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $41,400 – $58,100 | $53,900 – $70,600 | $66,400 – $83,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $51,700 – $72,500 | $67,300 – $88,100 | $82,900 – $103,500 |
What local crews earn in Modesto
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Modesto the blend is 1.24.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $35.45 an hour, 22% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $28.52 and $40.15 an hour. About 1,430 work in the metro. That is 73.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $29.15 an hour, which is 29% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $38.02 an hour. BLS counts 1,070 of them working in the area, 54.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $36.78 an hour, 34% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.19 and $48.46 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 17.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.88 an hour, which is 21% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.42 and $48.36 an hour. BLS counts 770 of them working in the area, 39.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.26 an hour, 14% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $28.54 and $35.26 an hour. About 290 work in the metro. That is 14.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,550 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,300. That is a swing of roughly 4.6% to 3.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Modesto has 195,230 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 117th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $28.52 | $35.45 | $40.15 | $29.12 | 1.22 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $28.19 | $36.78 | $48.46 | $27.41 | 1.34 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.89 | $29.15 | $38.02 | $22.66 | 1.29 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.42 | $36.88 | $48.36 | $30.38 | 1.21 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $28.54 | $30.26 | $35.26 | $26.65 | 1.14 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.24 | |||||
Is Modesto cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. San Jose is the priciest of the group at $52,600. Stockton is the cheapest at $47,700.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modesto, CAthis page | $33,200 – $66,600 | $49,900 | |
| Stockton, CA30 miles | $31,700 – $63,700 | $47,700 | −4% |
| Merced, CA30 miles | $31,900 – $64,100 | $48,000 | −4% |
| San Jose, CA50 miles | $35,000 – $70,200 | $52,600 | +5% |
| Santa Cruz, CA65 miles | $32,800 – $65,900 | $49,300 | −1% |
| Vallejo, CA70 miles | $33,000 – $66,300 | $49,600 | level |
| California (statewide) | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Modesto ranks #14 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Modesto is 0% above the California figure.
Elsewhere in California
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $33,000 – $66,200 | $49,600 | −1% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | +11% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $31,500 – $63,200 | $47,400 | −5% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $32,900 – $66,000 | $49,500 | −1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $35,000 – $70,200 | $52,600 | +5% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $32,600 – $65,400 | $49,000 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Modesto against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $25,400 – $51,100 | $38,300 | −23% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 192,580 jobs | $25,500 – $51,200 | $38,300 | −23% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $28,800 – $57,800 | $43,300 | −13% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $28,500 – $57,200 | $42,900 | −14% |
Modesto weather and the detached garage calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Modesto City Co Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Modesto are February through May and September through November: 7 of 12. Outside them, January and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and 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.
Modesto gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and December (2.6 inches in January). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 0.1 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 90 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 56 | 39 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 45 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 48 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 82 | 54 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 59 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 95 | 63 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 62 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 59 | 0.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 52 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 66 | 43 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 56 | 39 | 2.2 | Cold |
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Detached garage in Modesto: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Modesto?
For 576 sq ft, expect $33,200 to $66,600 in the Modesto area. A standard-spec job lands at $43,200 to $56,500. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Modesto?
About $57.50 to $115 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Modesto or Stockton?
Stockton is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $47,700, which is 4% less than Modesto ($49,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Modesto?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $26,800 out of $49,900. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Modesto?
$41,400 to $83,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Modesto?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $520 for fees in the Modesto area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Modesto expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of California?
Modesto is 0% above the California statewide estimate ($49,600 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Modesto?
The BLS median is $35.45 an hour in the Modesto area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $28.52 to $40.15.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Modesto?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $33,200 to $46,500 and premium work $53,200 to $66,600. 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 Modesto?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February 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 Modesto
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).