Detached garage cost in the District of Columbia
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $30,900 – $62,000
- Per sq ft
- $53.50 – $107
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 1
Across the District of Columbia, a detached garage costs about $30,900 to $62,000 for 576 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 7% above the US figure of $43,500. Carpenters earn a median $29.67 an hour in the District of Columbia (US: $29.12).
District of Columbia has one metro in our dataset, Washington, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Estimate your detached garage cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in District of Columbia (statewide), standard level
$40,200 to $52,700
About $69.50 to $90.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,900 | $26,100 |
| Labor | $20,000 | $26,200 |
| Permits and fees | $280 | $430 |
| Total | $40,200 | $52,700 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in District of Columbia
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,300 | $23,000 | $30,700 | 50% |
| Labor | $15,400 | $23,100 | $30,800 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $360 | $550 | 1% |
| Total | $30,900 | $46,500 | $62,000 | 100% |
Quality levels and sizes in the District of Columbia
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide District of Columbia wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$30,900 to $43,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$40,200 to $52,700
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$49,600 to $62,000
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,000 – $18,200 | $16,900 – $22,200 | $20,900 – $26,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $30,900 – $43,300 | $40,200 – $52,700 | $49,600 – $62,000 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $38,600 – $54,100 | $50,200 – $65,700 | $61,900 – $77,400 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $48,200 – $67,600 | $62,700 – $82,100 | $77,200 – $96,600 |
District of Columbia labor market for detached garage
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 5 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.07 for the District of Columbia.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.67 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $27.48 and $36.18 an hour. BLS counts 1,540 of them working in the state, 21.9 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 $24.05 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.80 and $28.41 an hour. About 2,090 work in the state. That is 29.8 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 $29.65 an hour, which is 8% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.67 and $34.00 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the state, 4.6 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 $37.97 an hour, 25% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $29.44 and $58.68 an hour. About 2,440 work in the state. That is 34.8 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 $29.69 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.37 and $48.83 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the state, 1.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($36.18 an hour) would add about $2,150 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($27.48) would take off about $730. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 701,920 jobs across the District of Columbia (May 2025), which is 0.5% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $27.48 | $29.67 | $36.18 | $29.12 | 1.02 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $27.67 | $29.65 | $34.00 | $27.41 | 1.08 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $20.80 | $24.05 | $28.41 | $22.66 | 1.06 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $29.44 | $37.97 | $58.68 | $30.38 | 1.25 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.37 | $29.69 | $48.83 | $26.65 | 1.11 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Detached garage: what moves the price in the District of Columbia
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.
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).
District of Columbia metro-by-metro prices
District of Columbia has one metro in our dataset, Washington, so the statewide and metro figures are close. The state figure uses BLS statewide wages, which include rural areas. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (576 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $30,100 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −3% |
When District of Columbia weather lets you build
Season matters for detached garage. For each District of Columbia metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Washington has 7 comfortable months (April through June and August through November), with about 42 inches of precipitation a year.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 30 | 90 | 42 | 7: April through June and August through November |
District of Columbia against its neighbors
District of Columbia ranks 11 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for detached garage, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $56,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $37,800, both for 576 sq ft at the midpoint. District of Columbia sits at $46,500. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 50 miles away | $29,700 – $59,700 | $44,700 | −4% |
| Virginia | 110 miles away | $27,800 – $55,900 | $41,900 | −10% |
| Pennsylvania | 110 miles away | $29,100 – $58,500 | $43,800 | −6% |
| Delaware | 110 miles away | $28,300 – $56,700 | $42,500 | −9% |
| New Jersey | 160 miles away | $32,400 – $65,100 | $48,700 | +5% |
If you are planning more than one job in the District of Columbia
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide District of Columbia wages and prices. Against national midpoints, home addition comes out highest (+10%) and concrete slab lowest (+8%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,600 | +8% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $760 – $4,000 | +8% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $9,950 | +8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $41,700 – $84,500 | +10% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $40,200 to $52,700 for District of Columbia is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for District of Columbia: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Detached garage in the District of Columbia: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in the District of Columbia?
$30,900 to $62,000 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside the District of Columbia can sit above or below that.
+Which city in the District of Columbia is cheapest for detached garage?
Washington at about $45,300 (midpoint, 576 sq ft).
+Is detached garage cheaper in the District of Columbia than the US average?
It is 7% more expensive: $46,500 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in the District of Columbia?
About 50% ($23,100). Materials are 50%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.07x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in the District of Columbia?
The BLS statewide median is $29.67 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $27.48 to $36.18.
+Where does District of Columbia rank for detached garage costs?
11th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $46,500 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in the District of Columbia?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $30,900 to $43,300 and premium work $49,600 to $62,000. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Does the season matter for detached garage in the District of Columbia?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the District of Columbia metros we cover, Washington has the most comfortable months (7 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Detached garage by city in the District of Columbia
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).