Detached garage cost in Chattanooga, TN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $26,600 – $53,400
- Per sq ft
- $46 – $92
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #200
- 1 = most expensive
A detached garage in Chattanooga, TN usually costs $26,600 to $53,400 for 576 sq ft. That works out to about $46 to $92 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $3,550 less. Carpenters earn a median of $24.41 an hour in the Chattanooga area, 16% below the US median of $29.12.
Estimate your detached garage cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN, standard level
$34,600 to $45,300
About $59.50 to $78 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,000 | $23,500 |
| Labor | $16,400 | $21,500 |
| Permits and fees | $230 | $360 |
| Total | $34,600 | $45,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Chattanooga, TN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,800 | $20,700 | $27,600 | 52% |
| Labor | $12,600 | $18,900 | $25,300 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $26,600 | $40,000 | $53,400 | 100% |
Why Chattanooga 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 $24.41 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Chattanooga is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 47% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Chattanooga is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,700 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 91.5: $140 to $460.
Chattanooga 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, Chattanooga Lovell Ap (5 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 Chattanooga are March through June and September through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, November and December have 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.
Chattanooga gets about 55 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, July and December (5.3 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 3.9 and 3.6 inches. The station averages about 58 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 | 51 | 32 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 36 | 5.0 | Cold |
| Mar | 64 | 42 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 59 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 67 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 71 | 5.1 | Hot |
| Aug | 90 | 70 | 3.7 | Hot |
| Sep | 84 | 64 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 74 | 51 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 62 | 40 | 4.8 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 35 | 5.3 | Cold |
What local crews earn in Chattanooga
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 Chattanooga the blend is 0.88.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $24.41 an hour, 16% below the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.40 and $29.19 an hour. About 620 work in the metro. That is 23.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $20.80 an hour, which is 8% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.64 and $23.48 an hour. BLS counts 1,800 of them working in the area, 67.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $21.81 an hour, 20% below the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $20.29 and $24.88 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 7.8 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 $34.77 an hour, which is 14% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.68 and $37.19 an hour. BLS counts 1,760 of them working in the area, 65.5 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $21.89 an hour, 18% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.45 and $22.14 an hour. About 140 work in the metro. That is 5.2 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 $1,600 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $670. That is a swing of roughly 1.7% to 4.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Chattanooga has 268,750 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 98th 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% | $22.40 | $24.41 | $29.19 | $29.12 | 0.84 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $20.29 | $21.81 | $24.88 | $27.41 | 0.80 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.64 | $20.80 | $23.48 | $22.66 | 0.92 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.68 | $34.77 | $37.19 | $30.38 | 1.14 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.45 | $21.89 | $22.14 | $26.65 | 0.82 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
How Chattanooga compares
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 576 sq ft range from $37,600 to $41,100 across Chattanooga and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TNthis page | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | |
| Dalton, GA35 miles | $25,000 – $50,200 | $37,600 | −6% |
| Huntsville, AL80 miles | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | −3% |
| Knoxville, TN95 miles | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| Gainesville, GA100 miles | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −4% |
| Nashville, TN105 miles | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +3% |
| Tennessee (statewide) | $26,600 – $53,300 | $40,000 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +9% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Chattanooga ranks #200 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Chattanooga is 0% above the Tennessee figure.
Elsewhere in Tennessee
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville, TN | 1,099,300 jobs | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | +3% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $26,600 – $53,500 | $40,000 | level |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | level |
| Kingsport, TN | 119,560 jobs | $26,000 – $52,100 | $39,000 | −2% |
| Clarksville, TN | 103,220 jobs | $26,200 – $52,500 | $39,300 | −2% |
| Jackson, TN | 84,530 jobs | $26,100 – $52,300 | $39,200 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Chattanooga against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $31,700 – $63,700 | $47,700 | +19% |
| Huntsville, AL | 266,650 jobs | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | −3% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $25,700 – $51,500 | $38,600 | −3% |
| Lakeland, FL | 265,280 jobs | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −4% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Chattanooga
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Chattanooga. 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
$26,600 to $37,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$34,600 to $45,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$42,600 to $53,400
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,200 – $15,700 | $14,600 – $19,100 | $18,000 – $22,500 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $26,600 – $37,300 | $34,600 – $45,300 | $42,600 – $53,400 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $33,200 – $46,500 | $43,200 – $56,600 | $53,200 – $66,600 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $41,500 – $58,100 | $54,000 – $70,600 | $66,400 – $83,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Chattanooga 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.
What nearby projects cost in Chattanooga
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Chattanooga wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, garage door comes out highest (−5%) and concrete driveway lowest (−12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $660 – $3,500 | −5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,250 – $8,050 | −12% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,000 – $68,900 | −10% |
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 $34,600 to $45,300 for Chattanooga, TN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for Chattanooga, TN line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Detached garage in Chattanooga: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Chattanooga?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,600 to $53,400 in the Chattanooga area. A standard-spec job lands at $34,600 to $45,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Chattanooga?
About $46 to $92 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 Chattanooga or Dalton?
Dalton is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $37,600, which is 6% less than Chattanooga ($40,000). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Chattanooga?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $18,900 out of $40,000. Materials are 52% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Chattanooga?
$33,200 to $66,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Chattanooga?
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 Chattanooga area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Chattanooga expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Tennessee?
Chattanooga is 0% above the Tennessee statewide estimate ($40,000 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Tennessee; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Chattanooga?
The BLS median is $24.41 an hour in the Chattanooga area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.40 to $29.19.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Chattanooga?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $26,600 to $37,300 and premium work $42,600 to $53,400. 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 Chattanooga?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. May 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 Chattanooga
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).