Detached garage cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,400 – $53,000
- Per sq ft
- $45.50 – $91
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #214
- 1 = most expensive
Lincoln homeowners pay roughly $26,400 to $53,000 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $45.50 to $91 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Lincoln is 9% lower. Carpenters earn a median of $24.00 an hour in the Lincoln area, 18% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$34,400 to $45,000
About $59 to $77.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 48% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $16,500 | $21,600 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $34,400 | $45,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $20,300 | $27,100 | 51% |
| Labor | $12,700 | $19,000 | $25,400 | 48% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $26,400 | $39,700 | $53,000 | 100% |
Why Lincoln 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 $24.00 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lincoln is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 48% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Lincoln metro is 94.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,300, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.6) and land at $140 to $460.
Cost by quality level and size in Lincoln
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Lincoln 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
$26,400 to $37,000
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,400 to $45,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,300 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 | $17,800 – $22,300 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,400 – $37,000 | $34,400 – $45,000 | $42,300 – $53,000 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,000 – $46,200 | $42,900 – $56,100 | $52,800 – $66,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,200 – $57,700 | $53,600 – $70,100 | $66,000 – $82,500 |
Is Lincoln cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Lincoln. Topeka comes closest at about $40,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $26,400 – $53,000 | $39,700 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $26,800 – $53,800 | $40,300 | +2% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $27,200 – $54,500 | $40,900 | +3% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,200 | +1% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $28,200 – $56,600 | $42,400 | +7% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $29,000 – $58,200 | $43,600 | +10% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $26,400 – $53,000 | $39,700 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Lincoln comes in at #214 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska figure.
Other Nebraska metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $26,800 – $53,800 | $40,300 | +2% |
Cities with a workforce like Lincoln's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | +11% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $25,500 – $51,300 | $38,400 | −3% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $28,800 – $57,800 | $43,300 | +9% |
What nearby projects cost in Lincoln
Because every project leans on different trades, Lincoln's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete slab runs −7% and home addition −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $640 – $3,450 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,400 – $8,500 | −7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,600 – $68,100 | −12% |
When to schedule detached garage in Lincoln
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Lincoln Muni Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Lincoln (6 of 12 months). January, February, March, April, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Cold |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Lincoln is 0.88 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.00 an hour, which is 18% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.70 and $28.77 an hour. BLS counts 1,020 of them working in the area, 55.9 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 $22.45 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. About 1,250 work in the metro. That is 68.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $24.02 an hour, which is 12% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.88 and $28.82 an hour. BLS counts 700 of them working in the area, 38.3 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 $29.17 an hour, 4% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.59 an hour. About 1,020 work in the metro. That is 55.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.77 an hour, which is 15% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $19.06 and $25.00 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 21.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($28.77 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,600. At the 25th percentile ($21.70) it shrinks by about $770. The total moves by 4.0% or 1.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 182,620 jobs in the Lincoln area. That makes it the 126th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.12% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.70 | $24.00 | $28.77 | $29.12 | 0.82 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $22.88 | $24.02 | $28.82 | $27.41 | 0.88 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.10 | $29.17 | $37.59 | $30.38 | 0.96 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $19.06 | $22.77 | $25.00 | $26.65 | 0.85 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Why two Lincoln quotes can differ
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).
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 $34,400 to $45,000 for Lincoln, NE is attached.
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Detached garage in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Lincoln?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,400 to $53,000 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $34,400 to $45,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Lincoln?
About $45.50 to $91 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $140 to $460 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $40,300, which is 2% more than Lincoln ($39,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 48% at the midpoint, or $19,000 out of $39,700. Materials are 51% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Lincoln?
$33,000 to $66,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Lincoln?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $460 for fees in the Lincoln area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 0% below the Nebraska statewide estimate ($39,700 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $24.00 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.70 to $28.77.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Lincoln?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,400 to $37,000 and premium work $42,300 to $53,000. 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 Lincoln?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. September and October 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 Lincoln
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).