Detached garage cost in Fort Collins, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $28,000 – $56,200
- Per sq ft
- $48.50 – $97
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #138
- 1 = most expensive
Fort Collins homeowners pay roughly $28,000 to $56,200 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $48.50 to $97 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fort Collins is 3% lower. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.1).
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO, standard level
$36,500 to $47,800
About $63 to $82.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,500 |
| Labor | $18,200 | $23,900 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $36,500 | $47,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $20,700 | $27,700 | 49% |
| Labor | $14,000 | $21,100 | $28,100 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $28,000 | $42,100 | $56,200 | 100% |
Where the Fort Collins price comes from
Labor is 50% 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 Collins the blended ratio comes out at 0.97.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fort Collins metro is 96.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,700, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $150 to $510.
Detached garage: what moves the price in Fort Collins
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.
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).
Related projects, priced for Fort Collins
Because every project leans on different trades, Fort Collins's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs level and home addition −3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $680 – $3,600 | −3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,250 | level |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $36,700 – $74,500 | −3% |
Cost by quality level and size in Fort Collins
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fort Collins 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
$28,000 to $39,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$36,500 to $47,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$45,000 to $56,200
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,800 – $16,600 | $15,400 – $20,100 | $18,900 – $23,700 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $28,000 – $39,300 | $36,500 – $47,800 | $45,000 – $56,200 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $35,000 – $49,100 | $45,500 – $59,600 | $56,100 – $70,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $43,700 – $61,300 | $56,900 – $74,400 | $70,000 – $87,600 |
How Fort Collins compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 576 sq ft range from $41,900 to $44,900 across Fort Collins and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COthis page | $28,000 – $56,200 | $42,100 | |
| Boulder, CO40 miles | $28,500 – $57,200 | $42,900 | +2% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $28,000 – $56,100 | $42,100 | level |
| Cheyenne, WY60 miles | $27,900 – $56,000 | $42,000 | level |
| Denver, CO90 miles | $29,900 – $59,900 | $44,900 | +7% |
| Colorado Springs, CO135 miles | $27,900 – $55,900 | $41,900 | −1% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $29,100 – $58,400 | $43,700 | +4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +3% |
Across 300 US metros, Fort Collins comes in at #138 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 Collins is 4% below the Colorado figure.
Other Colorado metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $29,900 – $59,900 | $44,900 | +7% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $27,900 – $55,900 | $41,900 | −1% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $28,500 – $57,200 | $42,900 | +2% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $28,000 – $56,100 | $42,100 | level |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $27,900 – $55,900 | $41,900 | −1% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $27,400 – $55,100 | $41,300 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Fort Collins's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Collins against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $26,200 – $52,700 | $39,500 | −6% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $30,300 – $60,900 | $45,600 | +8% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 jobs | $30,300 – $60,700 | $45,500 | +8% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $24,400 – $49,000 | $36,700 | −13% |
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 Fort Collins is 0.97 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $28.04 an hour, which is 4% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.36 and $30.74 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 30.1 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 $22.86 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.83 and $27.15 an hour. About 930 work in the metro. That is 54.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $28.31 an hour, which is 3% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $30.36 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 18.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.52 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.52 and $36.33 an hour. About 830 work in the metro. That is 49.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $23.37 an hour, which is 12% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.32 and $28.83 an hour. BLS counts 150 of them working in the area, 8.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.74 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $900. At the 25th percentile ($23.36) it shrinks by about $1,550. The total moves by 2.1% or 3.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 169,430 jobs in the Fort Collins-Loveland area. That makes it the 138th 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% | $23.36 | $28.04 | $30.74 | $29.12 | 0.96 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.15 | $28.31 | $30.36 | $27.41 | 1.03 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $20.83 | $22.86 | $27.15 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.52 | $29.52 | $36.33 | $30.38 | 0.97 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.32 | $23.37 | $28.83 | $26.65 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.97 | |||||
When to schedule detached garage in Fort Collins
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Ft Collins (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through September is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Fort Collins (5 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Fort Collins gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and September are the driest, at 1.4 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 29 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 | 45 | 18 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 21 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 2.1 | Cold |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 57 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 36 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
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Detached garage in Fort Collins: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Fort Collins?
For 576 sq ft, expect $28,000 to $56,200 in the Fort Collins area. A standard-spec job lands at $36,500 to $47,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Fort Collins?
About $48.50 to $97 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Fort Collins or Boulder?
Boulder is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $42,900, which is 2% more than Fort Collins ($42,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Collins?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $21,100 out of $42,100. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Fort Collins?
$35,000 to $70,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Fort Collins?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Fort Collins area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Collins expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins is 4% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($43,700 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Fort Collins?
The BLS median is $28.04 an hour in the Fort Collins area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.36 to $30.74.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Fort Collins?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $28,000 to $39,300 and premium work $45,000 to $56,200. 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 Collins?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. August 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 Collins
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).