Detached garage cost in Boise, ID
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $27,400 – $55,100
- Per sq ft
- $47.50 – $94.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #160
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Boise, ID usually costs $27,400 to $55,100 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $47.50 to $94.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $2,300 less. Carpenters earn a median of $24.45 an hour in the Boise area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Boise, ID, standard level
$35,700 to $46,800
About $61.50 to $80.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,500 |
| Labor | $17,500 | $22,800 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $35,700 | $46,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Boise, ID
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 50% |
| Labor | $13,400 | $20,100 | $26,900 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $27,400 | $41,200 | $55,100 | 100% |
Why Boise prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.45 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Boise is 0.93 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Boise is at 96.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,800 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.4: $150 to $490.
Cost by quality level and size in Boise
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Boise. 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
$27,400 to $38,500
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$35,700 to $46,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$44,000 to $55,100
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,500 – $16,200 | $15,000 – $19,700 | $18,500 – $23,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $27,400 – $38,500 | $35,700 – $46,800 | $44,000 – $55,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $34,300 – $48,000 | $44,600 – $58,400 | $54,900 – $68,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $42,800 – $60,000 | $55,700 – $72,900 | $68,600 – $85,700 |
Related projects, priced for Boise
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Boise wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (−3%) and home addition lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,050 | −3% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $650 – $3,500 | −6% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,550 – $8,950 | −3% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,700 – $70,400 | −9% |
What local crews earn in Boise
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 Boise the blend is 0.93.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.45 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.63 and $30.30 an hour. About 4,080 work in the metro. That is 104.1 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 $22.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.98 and $25.18 an hour. BLS counts 4,700 of them working in the area, 120.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $26.95 an hour, in line with the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.13 and $29.50 an hour. About 1,110 work in the metro. That is 28.3 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 $29.62 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.58 and $39.44 an hour. BLS counts 2,510 of them working in the area, 64.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $28.89 an hour, 8% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.15 and $31.00 an hour. About 650 work in the metro. That is 16.6 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 $1,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $940. That is a swing of roughly 2.3% to 4.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Boise City has 391,790 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 67th 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% | $21.63 | $24.45 | $30.30 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.13 | $26.95 | $29.50 | $27.41 | 0.98 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.98 | $22.84 | $25.18 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.58 | $29.62 | $39.44 | $30.38 | 0.97 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.15 | $28.89 | $31.00 | $26.65 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Boise 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.
Is Boise cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Boise. Logan is the lowest at about $39,900 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 235 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, IDthis page | $27,400 – $55,100 | $41,200 | |
| Idaho Falls, ID190 miles | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | level |
| Logan, UT235 miles | $26,600 – $53,300 | $39,900 | −3% |
| Salt Lake City, UT235 miles | $28,300 – $56,900 | $42,600 | +3% |
| Bend, OR250 miles | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | +15% |
| Ogden, UT255 miles | $26,800 – $53,700 | $40,200 | −2% |
| Idaho (statewide) | $27,500 – $55,200 | $41,400 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +6% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Boise ranks #160 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Boise is 0% below the Idaho figure.
Elsewhere in Idaho
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | level |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 72,280 jobs | $28,300 – $56,800 | $42,600 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Boise against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $26,700 – $53,500 | $40,100 | −3% |
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | −3% |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −4% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $29,400 – $59,100 | $44,200 | +7% |
Boise 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, Boise Air Terminal (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 Boise are May through June and September through October: 4 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and 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.
Boise gets about 12 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 18 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, May and December (1.5 inches in December). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.4 inches. The station averages about 55 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 | 39 | 26 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 46 | 29 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 35 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 40 | 1.2 | Cold |
| May | 72 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 54 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 93 | 62 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 61 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Sep | 80 | 53 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 42 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.5 | Cold |
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Detailed detached garage report for Boise, ID, $9
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Detached garage in Boise: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Boise?
For 576 sq ft, expect $27,400 to $55,100 in the Boise area. A standard-spec job lands at $35,700 to $46,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Boise?
About $47.50 to $94.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Boise or Idaho Falls?
Idaho Falls is 190 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $41,000, which is 0% less than Boise ($41,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Boise?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $20,100 out of $41,200. Materials are 50% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Boise?
$34,300 to $68,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Boise?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $490 for fees in the Boise area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Boise expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Idaho?
Boise is 0% below the Idaho statewide estimate ($41,400 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Idaho; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Boise?
The BLS median is $24.45 an hour in the Boise area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.63 to $30.30.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Boise?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $27,400 to $38,500 and premium work $44,000 to $55,100. 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 Boise?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through June and September through October. June 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 Boise
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).