Detached garage cost in Alexandria, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $25,200 – $50,500
- Per sq ft
- $43.50 – $87
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #280
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in Alexandria, plan on $25,200 to $50,500 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $43.50 to $87 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $22.48 an hour in the Alexandria area, 23% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Alexandria, LA, standard level
$32,800 to $42,900
About $56.50 to $74 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 46% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,500 | $22,900 |
| Labor | $15,000 | $19,600 |
| Permits and fees | $220 | $340 |
| Total | $32,800 | $42,900 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Alexandria, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,200 | $27,000 | 54% |
| Labor | $11,500 | $17,300 | $23,100 | 46% |
| Permits and fees | $130 | $280 | $430 | 1% |
| Total | $25,200 | $37,800 | $50,500 | 100% |
Why Alexandria prices look the way they do
Labor is 46% 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 Alexandria the blended ratio comes out at 0.80.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Alexandria metro is 93.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,200, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (85.7) and land at $130 to $430.
Data note: 25% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Alexandria. The wage table below marks each row.
Why two Alexandria quotes can differ
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).
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Alexandria
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Alexandria 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
$25,200 to $35,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$32,800 to $42,900
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$40,300 to $50,500
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,600 – $14,800 | $13,800 – $18,100 | $17,000 – $21,300 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $25,200 – $35,300 | $32,800 – $42,900 | $40,300 – $50,500 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $31,400 – $44,000 | $40,900 – $53,500 | $50,400 – $63,000 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $39,200 – $55,000 | $51,100 – $66,800 | $62,900 – $78,600 |
What nearby projects cost in Alexandria
Because every project leans on different trades, Alexandria's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, garage door runs −11% and home addition −15%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,600 | −12% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $610 – $3,300 | −11% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,150 – $7,800 | −15% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $32,300 – $65,500 | −15% |
Alexandria against nearby metros and the rest of Louisiana
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Alexandria. Monroe comes closest at about $38,000.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LAthis page | $25,200 – $50,500 | $37,800 | |
| Lafayette, LA95 miles | $25,700 – $51,600 | $38,600 | +2% |
| Lake Charles, LA95 miles | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | +3% |
| Monroe, LA95 miles | $25,300 – $50,700 | $38,000 | level |
| Baton Rouge, LA100 miles | $27,000 – $54,200 | $40,600 | +7% |
| Shreveport, LA105 miles | $25,500 – $51,100 | $38,300 | +1% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $25,800 – $51,800 | $38,800 | +3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Alexandria comes in at #280 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Alexandria is 3% below the Louisiana figure.
Other Louisiana metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $25,900 – $52,000 | $39,000 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $27,000 – $54,200 | $40,600 | +7% |
| Lafayette, LA | 179,570 jobs | $25,700 – $51,600 | $38,600 | +2% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $25,500 – $51,100 | $38,300 | +1% |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | +3% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $25,600 – $51,300 | $38,400 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Alexandria's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Alexandria against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg, PA | 60,280 jobs | $27,700 – $55,700 | $41,700 | +10% |
| Niles, MI | 59,970 jobs | $27,400 – $55,000 | $41,200 | +9% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $24,400 – $49,100 | $36,800 | −3% |
| Kingston, NY | 59,140 jobs | $29,500 – $59,300 | $44,400 | +17% |
Alexandria labor market for detached garage
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 Alexandria is 0.80 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $22.48 an hour, which is 23% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $18.58 and $26.89 an hour. BLS counts 180 of them working in the area, 30.0 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 $17.76 an hour, 22% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $15.53 and $21.18 an hour. About 610 work in the metro. That is 101.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) carry 15% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Alexandria metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $23.64 an hour against $27.41 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $19.54 and $30.00 an hour.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $24.14 an hour, 21% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.47 and $29.80 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 28.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Alexandria metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $23.44 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $18.74 and $27.02 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($26.89 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,450. At the 25th percentile ($18.58) it shrinks by about $1,300. The total moves by 3.9% or 3.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 60,000 jobs in the Alexandria area. That makes it the 288th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $18.58 | $22.48 | $26.89 | $29.12 | 0.77 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $19.54 | $23.64 | $30.00 | $27.41 | 0.86 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $15.53 | $17.76 | $21.18 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.47 | $24.14 | $29.80 | $30.38 | 0.79 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.74 | $23.44 | $27.02 | $26.65 | 0.88 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.80 | |||||
Climate in Alexandria: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Alexandria (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and September through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Alexandria (8 of 12 months). January and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; 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.
Alexandria gets about 61 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (6.1 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 4.6 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 93 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 | 59 | 39 | 6.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 63 | 42 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Apr | 76 | 55 | 5.4 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 71 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 74 | 4.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 73 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 88 | 68 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 79 | 57 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 68 | 46 | 5.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 61 | 40 | 6.0 | Cold |
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Detached garage in Alexandria: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Alexandria?
For 576 sq ft, expect $25,200 to $50,500 in the Alexandria area. A standard-spec job lands at $32,800 to $42,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Alexandria?
About $43.50 to $87 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $130 to $430 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Alexandria or Lafayette?
Lafayette is 95 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $38,600, which is 2% more than Alexandria ($37,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Alexandria?
About 46% at the midpoint, or $17,300 out of $37,800. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Alexandria?
$31,400 to $63,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Alexandria?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $130 to $430 for fees in the Alexandria area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Alexandria expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Alexandria is 3% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($38,800 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Alexandria?
The BLS median is $22.48 an hour in the Alexandria area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.58 to $26.89.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Alexandria?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $25,200 to $35,300 and premium work $40,300 to $50,500. 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 Alexandria?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through November. May 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 Alexandria
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).