Detached garage cost in Providence, RI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $30,100 – $60,300
- Per sq ft
- $52 – $104
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #70
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in Providence, plan on $30,100 to $60,300 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $52 to $104 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, 2% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Providence, RI, standard level
$39,100 to $51,300
About $67.50 to $88.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,200 | $23,800 |
| Labor | $20,700 | $27,100 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $39,100 | $51,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Providence, RI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $14,000 | $21,000 | $28,000 | 46% |
| Labor | $15,900 | $23,900 | $31,900 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $30,100 | $45,200 | $60,300 | 100% |
Where the Providence price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 5 trades: carpenters at 45%, cement masons and concrete finishers at 15%, construction laborers at 20%, electricians at 10%, roofers at 10%. Weighted together, Providence wages are 1.11 times the national level. Labor makes up about 53% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Providence metro is 97.1 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $21,000, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.8) and land at $150 to $510.
Providence against nearby metros and the rest of Rhode Island
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Providence. Norwich is the lowest at about $44,700 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RIthis page | $30,100 – $60,300 | $45,200 | |
| Norwich, CT45 miles | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,700 | −1% |
| Worcester, MA55 miles | $32,600 – $65,300 | $48,900 | +8% |
| Boston, MA60 miles | $32,400 – $64,900 | $48,600 | +8% |
| Barnstable, MA60 miles | $31,400 – $63,100 | $47,300 | +5% |
| Hartford, CT65 miles | $30,200 – $60,600 | $45,400 | level |
| Rhode Island (statewide) | $29,800 – $59,900 | $44,800 | −1% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Providence comes in at #70 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Providence is 1% above the Rhode Island figure.
Providence is the only Rhode Island 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 Providence's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Providence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | −11% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $27,600 – $55,500 | $41,500 | −8% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | −12% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −15% |
Providence 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 Providence is 1.11 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.76 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.71 and $38.38 an hour. BLS counts 4,140 of them working in the area, 58.0 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 $28.50 an hour, 26% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.25 an hour. About 3,240 work in the metro. That is 45.4 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 $30.43 an hour, which is 11% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $27.68 and $37.08 an hour. BLS counts 390 of them working in the area, 5.5 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 $35.57 an hour, 17% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.62 and $45.42 an hour. About 3,560 work in the metro. That is 49.9 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 $29.60 an hour, which is 11% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.77 and $36.90 an hour. BLS counts 460 of them working in the area, 6.4 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 ($38.38 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $2,900. At the 25th percentile ($26.71) it shrinks by about $1,000. The total moves by 6.4% or 2.3%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 714,120 jobs in the Providence-Warwick area. That makes it the 42nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.46% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $26.71 | $29.76 | $38.38 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $27.68 | $30.43 | $37.08 | $27.41 | 1.11 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.10 | $28.50 | $37.25 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.62 | $35.57 | $45.42 | $30.38 | 1.17 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.77 | $29.60 | $36.90 | $26.65 | 1.11 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.11 | |||||
Why two Providence 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).
Climate in Providence: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Providence T F Green 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 Providence (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.
Providence gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (4.9 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 38 | 22 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 4.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 40 | 4.3 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 49 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 36 | 4.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 4.7 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Providence
Because every project leans on different trades, Providence's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +10% and garage door level.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $700 – $3,700 | level |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,100 | +10% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,300 – $79,700 | +4% |
Providence: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Providence 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
$30,100 to $42,200
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$39,100 to $51,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$48,200 to $60,300
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,600 – $17,700 | $16,500 – $21,600 | $20,300 – $25,400 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $30,100 – $42,200 | $39,100 – $51,300 | $48,200 – $60,300 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $37,500 – $52,600 | $48,900 – $64,000 | $60,200 – $75,300 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $46,900 – $65,700 | $61,000 – $79,900 | $75,100 – $94,000 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detached garage in Providence: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Providence?
For 576 sq ft, expect $30,100 to $60,300 in the Providence area. A standard-spec job lands at $39,100 to $51,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Providence?
About $52 to $104 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Providence or Norwich?
Norwich is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $44,700, which is 1% less than Providence ($45,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Providence?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $23,900 out of $45,200. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Providence?
$37,500 to $75,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Providence?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Providence area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Providence expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Rhode Island?
Providence is 1% above the Rhode Island statewide estimate ($44,800 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Providence?
The BLS median is $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.71 to $38.38.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Providence?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $30,100 to $42,200 and premium work $48,200 to $60,300. 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 Providence?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. May and July 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 Providence
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).