Detached garage cost in Hilton Head, SC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,500 – $53,100
- Per sq ft
- $45.50 – $91.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #210
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Hilton Head, SC usually costs $26,500 to $53,100 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $45.50 to $91.50 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,750 less. Carpenters earn a median of $23.59 an hour in the Hilton Head area, 19% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Hilton Head, SC, 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 | $21,100 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $34,400 | $45,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Hilton Head, SC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,700 | 52% |
| Labor | $12,400 | $18,600 | $24,900 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $26,500 | $39,800 | $53,100 | 100% |
Why Hilton Head 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 $23.59 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Hilton Head is 0.86 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Hilton Head is at 96.3 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,800 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 98.0: $150 to $490.
Hilton Head weather and the detached garage calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Beaufort Mcas (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Hilton Head are February through June and September through December: 9 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
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.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Hilton Head gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (6.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 2.5 and 2.5 inches. The station averages about 73 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60 | 40 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 64 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 70 | 49 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 77 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 84 | 64 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 71 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 5.6 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 74 | 6.5 | Hot |
| Sep | 86 | 70 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 69 | 48 | 2.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 63 | 43 | 3.2 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in Hilton Head
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Hilton Head. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft to 3-car (900 sq ft).
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 – $66,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,200 – $57,800 | $53,700 – $70,300 | $66,100 – $82,700 |
What local crews earn in Hilton Head
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 5 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Hilton Head the blend is 0.86.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $23.59 an hour, 19% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $21.25 and $29.40 an hour. About 440 work in the metro. That is 53.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.99 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.13 and $25.12 an hour. BLS counts 910 of them working in the area, 111.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $23.76 an hour, 13% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $22.77 and $28.96 an hour. About 90 work in the metro. That is 11.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $27.42 an hour, which is 10% below the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $22.86 and $30.06 an hour. BLS counts 220 of them working in the area, 26.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $22.48 an hour, 16% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.56 and $29.53 an hour. About 40 work in the metro. That is 4.9 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,950 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $780. That is a swing of roughly 2.0% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal has 81,920 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 232nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $21.25 | $23.59 | $29.40 | $29.12 | 0.81 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $22.77 | $23.76 | $28.96 | $27.41 | 0.87 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $18.13 | $21.99 | $25.12 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $22.86 | $27.42 | $30.06 | $30.38 | 0.90 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.56 | $22.48 | $29.53 | $26.65 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Hilton Head
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Hilton Head wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete slab comes out highest (−7%) and home addition lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $640 – $3,450 | −7% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,350 – $8,400 | −9% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $33,300 – $67,600 | −12% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Hilton Head bid
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.
Is Hilton Head cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 3 are cheaper than Hilton Head. Savannah is the lowest at about $38,300 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head, SCthis page | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | |
| Savannah, GA30 miles | $25,400 – $51,100 | $38,300 | −4% |
| Charleston, SC65 miles | $26,700 – $53,500 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Augusta, GA100 miles | $26,900 – $53,900 | $40,400 | +2% |
| Columbia, SC115 miles | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −1% |
| Florence, SC135 miles | $26,300 – $52,800 | $39,500 | −1% |
| South Carolina (statewide) | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Hilton Head ranks #210 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Hilton Head is 0% below the South Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in South Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville, SC | 434,900 jobs | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | level |
| Columbia, SC | 394,200 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −1% |
| Charleston, SC | 394,170 jobs | $26,700 – $53,500 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Spartanburg, SC | 165,150 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | 146,260 jobs | $25,600 – $51,300 | $38,400 | −3% |
| Florence, SC | 89,060 jobs | $26,300 – $52,800 | $39,500 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hilton Head against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +1% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | +3% |
| Houma, LA | 83,440 jobs | $25,500 – $51,100 | $38,300 | −4% |
| Johnson City, TN | 81,690 jobs | $25,800 – $51,800 | $38,800 | −2% |
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Detached garage in Hilton Head: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Hilton Head?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,500 to $53,100 in the Hilton Head area. A standard-spec job lands at $34,400 to $45,100. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Hilton Head?
About $45.50 to $91.50 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Hilton Head or Savannah?
Savannah is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $38,300, which is 4% less than Hilton Head ($39,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hilton Head?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $18,600 out of $39,800. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Hilton Head?
$33,000 to $66,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Hilton Head?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $490 for fees in the Hilton Head area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hilton Head expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of South Carolina?
Hilton Head is 0% below the South Carolina statewide estimate ($39,800 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in South Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Hilton Head?
The BLS median is $23.59 an hour in the Hilton Head area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.25 to $29.40.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Hilton Head?
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.
+When is the best time to build a detached garage in Hilton Head?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and September through December. May and November 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 Hilton Head
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).