Detached garage cost in Manchester, NH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $28,800 – $57,800
- Per sq ft
- $49.50 – $99.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −1%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #116
- 1 = most expensive
Manchester homeowners pay roughly $28,800 to $57,800 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $49.50 to $99.50 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Manchester is almost level. Building materials run about 2% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 97.7).
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Manchester, NH, standard level
$37,500 to $49,100
About $64.50 to $84.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,300 | $23,900 |
| Labor | $18,900 | $24,800 |
| Permits and fees | $270 | $420 |
| Total | $37,500 | $49,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Manchester, NH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,100 | $21,100 | $28,100 | 49% |
| Labor | $14,600 | $21,900 | $29,100 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $530 | 1% |
| Total | $28,800 | $43,300 | $57,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Manchester number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $29.47 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Manchester is 1.01 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Manchester metro is 97.7 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $21,100, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (105.7) and land at $160 to $530.
Manchester: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Manchester 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
$28,800 to $40,400
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$37,500 to $49,100
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$46,200 to $57,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,100 – $17,000 | $15,800 – $20,700 | $19,500 – $24,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $28,800 – $40,400 | $37,500 – $49,100 | $46,200 – $57,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $36,000 – $50,400 | $46,800 – $61,300 | $57,700 – $72,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $44,900 – $63,000 | $58,400 – $76,500 | $72,000 – $90,000 |
Why two Manchester 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.
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 Manchester is 1.01 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.47 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $35.02 an hour. BLS counts 820 of them working in the area, 41.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.84 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.68 and $26.49 an hour. About 1,070 work in the metro. That is 53.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $27.38 an hour, which is in line with the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.98 and $29.00 an hour. BLS counts 80 of them working in the area, 4.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $30.81 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.83 and $38.66 an hour. About 970 work in the metro. That is 48.6 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 $27.68 an hour, which is 4% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.89 and $32.09 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 5.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($35.02 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,850. At the 25th percentile ($23.91) it shrinks by about $1,850. The total moves by 4.3% or 4.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 199,560 jobs in the Manchester-Nashua area. That makes it the 115th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.91 | $29.47 | $35.02 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $22.98 | $27.38 | $29.00 | $27.41 | 1.00 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.68 | $22.84 | $26.49 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.83 | $30.81 | $38.66 | $30.38 | 1.01 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.89 | $27.68 | $32.09 | $26.65 | 1.04 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.01 | |||||
When to schedule detached garage in Manchester
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Manchester 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 Manchester (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.
Manchester gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 34 | 17 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 19 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.3 | Cold |
| May | 70 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 33 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
Is Manchester cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, none is cheaper than Manchester. Portland comes closest at about $44,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NHthis page | $28,800 – $57,800 | $43,300 | |
| Worcester, MA45 miles | $32,600 – $65,300 | $48,900 | +13% |
| Boston, MA45 miles | $32,400 – $64,900 | $48,600 | +12% |
| Amherst, MA60 miles | $30,900 – $62,000 | $46,400 | +7% |
| Springfield, MA70 miles | $32,200 – $64,500 | $48,400 | +12% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $29,300 – $58,800 | $44,100 | +2% |
| New Hampshire (statewide) | $29,000 – $58,200 | $43,600 | +1% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +1% |
Across 300 US metros, Manchester comes in at #116 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Manchester is 1% below the New Hampshire figure.
Manchester is the only New Hampshire metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Manchester's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Manchester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria, CA | 200,760 jobs | $32,300 – $64,900 | $48,600 | +12% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $25,400 – $51,100 | $38,300 | −12% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $32,200 – $64,500 | $48,400 | +12% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 jobs | $33,200 – $66,600 | $49,900 | +15% |
What nearby projects cost in Manchester
Because every project leans on different trades, Manchester's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, home addition runs +1% and concrete slab −1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $700 – $3,700 | −1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,200 | level |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $38,400 – $77,800 | +1% |
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 $37,500 to $49,100 for Manchester, NH is attached.
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Detached garage in Manchester: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Manchester?
For 576 sq ft, expect $28,800 to $57,800 in the Manchester area. A standard-spec job lands at $37,500 to $49,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Manchester?
About $49.50 to $99.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $530 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Manchester or Worcester?
Worcester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $48,900, which is 13% more than Manchester ($43,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Manchester?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $21,900 out of $43,300. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Manchester?
$36,000 to $72,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Manchester?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $530 for fees in the Manchester area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Manchester expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of New Hampshire?
Manchester is 1% below the New Hampshire statewide estimate ($43,600 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Manchester?
The BLS median is $29.47 an hour in the Manchester area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.91 to $35.02.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Manchester?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $28,800 to $40,400 and premium work $46,200 to $57,800. 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 Manchester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. July and August 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 Manchester
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).