Detached garage cost in Nebraska
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $26,400 – $53,000
- Per sq ft
- $45.50 – $91.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 2
Across Nebraska, a detached garage costs about $26,400 to $53,000 for 576 sq ft. Statewide, that midpoint is 9% below the US figure of $43,500. Carpenters earn a median $24.19 an hour in Nebraska (US: $29.12).
Inside Nebraska, the metros we cover range from $39,700 (Lincoln) to $40,300 (Omaha) at the midpoint.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Nebraska (statewide), standard level
$34,400 to $45,000
About $59.50 to $77.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $16,600 | $21,700 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $34,400 | $45,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Nebraska
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $20,300 | $27,100 | 51% |
| Labor | $12,700 | $19,100 | $25,500 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $290 | $450 | 1% |
| Total | $26,400 | $39,700 | $53,000 | 100% |
Nebraska against its neighbors
Nebraska ranks 42 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. Nebraska sits at $39,700. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 190 miles away | $27,600 – $55,400 | $41,500 | +5% |
| South Dakota | 220 miles away | $26,200 – $52,700 | $39,500 | −1% |
| Kansas | 220 miles away | $27,200 – $54,600 | $40,900 | +3% |
| Missouri | 270 miles away | $29,100 – $58,300 | $43,700 | +10% |
| Minnesota | 320 miles away | $31,500 – $63,200 | $47,300 | +19% |
Related projects, priced for Nebraska
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Nebraska wages and prices. Against national midpoints, concrete slab comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−11%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $650 – $3,450 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,700 – $68,300 | −11% |
When Nebraska weather lets you build
Season matters for detached garage. For each Nebraska metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Omaha has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Nebraska at 7 months (April through October); Lincoln has the shortest at 6 (May through October). Rainfall runs from 29 inches a year in Lincoln to 32 inches in Omaha.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 15 | 88 | 32 | 7: April through October |
| Lincoln | 14 | 89 | 29 | 6: May through October |
What carpenters and the other trades earn in Nebraska
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 0.88 for Nebraska.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.19 an hour, which is 17% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.77 and $30.09 an hour. BLS counts 5,710 of them working in the state, 55.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.72 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.38 and $26.71 an hour. About 8,530 work in the state. That is 83.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $23.80 an hour, which is 13% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.58 and $28.76 an hour. BLS counts 3,200 of them working in the state, 31.2 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 $29.24 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.14 and $38.04 an hour. About 6,440 work in the state. That is 62.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is 16% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $26.75 an hour. BLS counts 1,730 of them working in the state, 16.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($30.09 an hour) would add about $1,950 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($21.77) would take off about $810. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 1,024,370 jobs across Nebraska (May 2025), which is 0.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.77 | $24.19 | $30.09 | $29.12 | 0.83 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $22.58 | $23.80 | $28.76 | $27.41 | 0.87 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.38 | $22.72 | $26.71 | $22.66 | 1.00 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.14 | $29.24 | $38.04 | $30.38 | 0.96 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $19.03 | $22.34 | $26.75 | $26.65 | 0.84 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Detached garage: what moves the price in Nebraska
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).
Quality levels and sizes in Nebraska
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Nebraska wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$26,400 to $37,100
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,400 to $45,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,400 to $53,000
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,100 – $15,600 | $14,500 – $19,000 | $17,900 – $22,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,400 – $37,100 | $34,400 – $45,000 | $42,400 – $53,000 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,000 – $46,300 | $43,000 – $56,200 | $52,900 – $66,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,200 – $57,800 | $53,600 – $70,200 | $66,000 – $82,600 |
Which Nebraska city is cheapest for detached garage?
1 of the 2 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $39,700, and the top-to-bottom gap is 2%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | $26,800 – $53,800 | $40,300 | +1% |
| Lincoln, NE | $26,400 – $53,000 | $39,700 | level |
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Detached garage in Nebraska: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Nebraska?
$26,400 to $53,000 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Nebraska can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Nebraska is cheapest for detached garage?
Lincoln at about $39,700 (midpoint, 576 sq ft). The priciest is Omaha at $40,300.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Nebraska than the US average?
It is 9% cheaper: $39,700 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Nebraska?
About 48% ($19,100). Materials are 51%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.88x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Nebraska?
The BLS statewide median is $24.19 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.77 to $30.09.
+Where does Nebraska rank for detached garage costs?
42nd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $39,700 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Nebraska?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,400 to $37,100 and premium work $42,400 to $53,000. 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 Nebraska?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Nebraska metros we cover, Omaha 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 Nebraska
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).