Detached garage cost in South Carolina
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $26,500 – $53,100
- Per sq ft
- $45.50 – $91.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 7
What does it cost to build a detached garage in South Carolina? Plan on $26,500 to $53,100 for 576 sq ft. Wages (0.86x the US blend), materials (price index 96.3) and permit costs (93.7) put the state below the national midpoint by 9%.
Inside South Carolina, the metros we cover range from $38,400 (Myrtle Beach) to $40,100 (Charleston) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in South Carolina (statewide), standard level
$34,400 to $45,100
About $59.50 to $77.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $16,200 | $21,200 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $34,400 | $45,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in South Carolina
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 52% |
| Labor | $12,400 | $18,700 | $24,900 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $470 | 1% |
| Total | $26,500 | $39,800 | $53,100 | 100% |
Quality levels and sizes in South Carolina
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide South Carolina wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$26,500 to $37,100
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,400 to $45,100
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,400 to $53,100
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 | $26,500 – $37,100 | $34,400 – $45,100 | $42,400 – $53,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,000 – $46,300 | $43,000 – $56,300 | $53,000 – $66,300 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,300 – $57,800 | $53,700 – $70,300 | $66,100 – $82,700 |
If you are planning more than one job in South Carolina
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide South Carolina wages and prices. Against national midpoints, garage door comes out highest (−6%) and home addition lowest (−12%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $650 – $3,500 | −6% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,250 | −10% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,500 – $67,900 | −12% |
Wages behind the South Carolina number
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 0.86 for South Carolina.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.36 an hour, which is 16% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $20.97 and $30.10 an hour. BLS counts 6,950 of them working in the state, 30.2 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 $20.65 an hour, 9% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.62 an hour. About 19,620 work in the state. That is 85.1 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 $23.73 an hour, which is 13% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $21.74 and $29.70 an hour. BLS counts 1,930 of them working in the state, 8.4 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 $28.24 an hour, 7% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.03 and $31.82 an hour. About 8,010 work in the state. That is 34.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.00 an hour, which is 17% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.26 and $25.37 an hour. BLS counts 850 of them working in the state, 3.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($30.10 an hour) would add about $1,900 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($20.97) would take off about $1,150. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,305,080 jobs across South Carolina (May 2025), which is 1.5% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $20.97 | $24.36 | $30.10 | $29.12 | 0.84 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $21.74 | $23.73 | $29.70 | $27.41 | 0.87 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.64 | $20.65 | $23.62 | $22.66 | 0.91 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.03 | $28.24 | $31.82 | $30.38 | 0.93 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.26 | $22.00 | $25.37 | $26.65 | 0.83 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Detached garage: what moves the price in South Carolina
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).
South Carolina seasons and detached garage
Season matters for detached garage. For each South Carolina metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Charleston has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in South Carolina at 12 months; Spartanburg has the shortest at 6 (April through June and August through October). Rainfall runs from 44 inches a year in Columbia to 54 inches in Myrtle Beach.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | 35 | 91 | 47 | 8: March through June and August through November |
| Columbia | 37 | 93 | 44 | 6: March through May and September through November |
| Charleston | 44 | 88 | 44 | 12: all year |
| Spartanburg | 32 | 90 | 50 | 6: April through June and August through October |
| Myrtle Beach | 34 | 87 | 54 | 9: March through November |
| Florence | 36 | 92 | 45 | 7: March through June and September through November |
| Hilton Head | 40 | 92 | 45 | 9: February through June and September through December |
South Carolina against its neighbors
South Carolina ranks 41 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. South Carolina sits at $39,800. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 120 miles away | $26,400 – $53,000 | $39,700 | level |
| Georgia | 180 miles away | $26,400 – $52,900 | $39,600 | level |
| Virginia | 300 miles away | $27,800 – $55,900 | $41,900 | +5% |
| West Virginia | 340 miles away | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +1% |
| Tennessee | 350 miles away | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | level |
Which South Carolina city is cheapest for detached garage?
1 of the 7 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $39,800, and the top-to-bottom gap is 4%. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC | $26,700 – $53,500 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Greenville, SC | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | level |
| Spartanburg, SC | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| Hilton Head, SC | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| Florence, SC | $26,300 – $52,800 | $39,500 | −1% |
| Columbia, SC | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −1% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $25,600 – $51,300 | $38,400 | −3% |
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Detached garage in South Carolina: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in South Carolina?
$26,500 to $53,100 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside South Carolina can sit above or below that.
+Which city in South Carolina is cheapest for detached garage?
Myrtle Beach at about $38,400 (midpoint, 576 sq ft). The priciest is Charleston at $40,100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in South Carolina than the US average?
It is 9% cheaper: $39,800 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in South Carolina?
About 47% ($18,700). Materials are 52%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 0.86x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in South Carolina?
The BLS statewide median is $24.36 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.97 to $30.10.
+Where does South Carolina rank for detached garage costs?
41st most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $39,800 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in South Carolina?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,500 to $37,100 and premium work $42,400 to $53,100. 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 South Carolina?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the South Carolina metros we cover, Charleston has the most comfortable months (12 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 South Carolina
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).