Detached garage cost in Honolulu, HI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $38,600 – $77,300
- Per sq ft
- $66.50 – $133
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +33%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #1
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Honolulu area: $38,600 to $77,300 for 576 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 33% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $45.34 an hour in the Honolulu area, 56% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Honolulu, HI, standard level
$50,200 to $65,700
About $86.50 to $113 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $20,900 | $27,300 |
| Labor | $29,000 | $37,900 |
| Permits and fees | $280 | $440 |
| Total | $50,200 | $65,700 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Honolulu, HI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,100 | $24,100 | $32,100 | 42% |
| Labor | $22,300 | $33,500 | $44,600 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $360 | $550 | 1% |
| Total | $38,600 | $57,900 | $77,300 | 100% |
Where the Honolulu price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $45.34 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Honolulu is 1.55 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 58% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Honolulu is at 111.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $24,100 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 111.0: $170 to $550.
Why two Honolulu quotes can differ
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.
Is Honolulu cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Honolulu is the priciest of the group. Santa Cruz is the cheapest at $49,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HIthis page | $38,600 – $77,300 | $57,900 | |
| Kahului, HI110 miles | $37,700 – $75,600 | $56,600 | −2% |
| Santa Rosa, CA2395 miles | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | −13% |
| Santa Cruz, CA2415 miles | $32,800 – $65,900 | $49,300 | −15% |
| San Francisco, CA2415 miles | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | −5% |
| Napa, CA2425 miles | $33,800 – $67,900 | $50,900 | −12% |
| Hawaii (statewide) | $37,400 – $75,100 | $56,300 | −3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −25% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Honolulu ranks #1 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Honolulu is 3% above the Hawaii figure.
Elsewhere in Hawaii
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului, HI | 73,750 jobs | $37,700 – $75,600 | $56,600 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Honolulu against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $30,000 – $60,200 | $45,100 | −22% |
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $25,900 – $52,000 | $39,000 | −33% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $25,700 – $51,700 | $38,700 | −33% |
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | −31% |
Who does the work: Honolulu trade wages
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 Honolulu the blend is 1.55.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $45.34 an hour, 56% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $33.49 and $55.04 an hour. About 3,120 work in the metro. That is 69.9 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 $37.48 an hour, which is 65% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.21 and $41.41 an hour. BLS counts 3,040 of them working in the area, 68.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $46.28 an hour, 69% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $33.80 and $47.60 an hour. About 500 work in the metro. That is 11.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $48.21 an hour, which is 59% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $36.04 and $58.05 an hour. BLS counts 2,290 of them working in the area, 51.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.47 an hour, 7% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.71 and $35.39 an hour. About 860 work in the metro. That is 19.3 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 $3,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $3,950. That is a swing of roughly 6.8% to 5.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Urban Honolulu has 446,380 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 56th 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% | $33.49 | $45.34 | $55.04 | $29.12 | 1.56 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $33.80 | $46.28 | $47.60 | $27.41 | 1.69 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $24.21 | $37.48 | $41.41 | $22.66 | 1.65 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $36.04 | $48.21 | $58.05 | $30.38 | 1.59 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.71 | $28.47 | $35.39 | $26.65 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.55 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Honolulu
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Honolulu. 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
$38,600 to $54,100
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$50,200 to $65,700
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$61,800 to $77,300
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $16,200 – $22,700 | $21,100 – $27,600 | $26,000 – $32,500 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $38,600 – $54,100 | $50,200 – $65,700 | $61,800 – $77,300 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $48,200 – $67,500 | $62,700 – $82,000 | $77,200 – $96,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $60,100 – $84,300 | $78,300 – $102,500 | $96,400 – $120,500 |
The best months for detached garage in Honolulu
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Honolulu Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
Weather is not a serious constraint for pouring concrete in Honolulu: no month in the averages is cold enough (an average overnight low of 40°F or below) or hot enough (an average daytime high of 90°F or more) to rule it out, so the workable window is all year.
Honolulu gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, November and December (2.4 inches in March). The station averages about 32 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 | 81 | 67 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Feb | 81 | 67 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 81 | 68 | 2.4 | Workable |
| Apr | 83 | 70 | 0.8 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 72 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 74 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 75 | 0.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 89 | 76 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 88 | 75 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 87 | 74 | 1.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 84 | 72 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 82 | 69 | 2.2 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Honolulu
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Honolulu wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+51%) and garage door lowest (+22%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $3,450 – $6,950 | +36% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $890 – $4,500 | +22% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $5,350 – $14,100 | +51% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $52,700 – $106,500 | +38% |
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 $50,200 to $65,700 for Honolulu, HI is attached.
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Detached garage in Honolulu: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Honolulu?
For 576 sq ft, expect $38,600 to $77,300 in the Honolulu area. A standard-spec job lands at $50,200 to $65,700. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Honolulu?
About $66.50 to $133 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $550 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Honolulu or Kahului?
Kahului is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $56,600, which is 2% less than Honolulu ($57,900). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Honolulu?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $33,500 out of $57,900. Materials are 42% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Honolulu?
$48,200 to $96,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Honolulu?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $550 for fees in the Honolulu area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Honolulu expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Hawaii?
Honolulu is 3% above the Hawaii statewide estimate ($56,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Hawaii; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Honolulu?
The BLS median is $45.34 an hour in the Honolulu area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $33.49 to $55.04.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Honolulu?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $38,600 to $54,100 and premium work $61,800 to $77,300. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Is there a bad season to build a detached garage in Honolulu?
Not from a temperature point of view. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals show no month with a freezing-level overnight low or a 90°F-plus average high, so timing is mostly about contractor availability and rain.
Detached garage near Honolulu
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).