Detached garage cost in Waco, TX
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $25,100 – $50,300
- Per sq ft
- $43.50 – $86.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −13%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #283
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in Waco, plan on $25,100 to $50,300 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $43.50 to $86.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 13% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $22.76 an hour in the Waco area, 22% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Waco, TX, standard level
$32,600 to $42,800
About $56.50 to $73.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $14,900 | $19,400 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $32,600 | $42,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Waco, TX
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,000 | 54% |
| Labor | $11,400 | $17,100 | $22,900 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $460 | 1% |
| Total | $25,100 | $37,700 | $50,300 | 100% |
Why Waco prices look the way they do
Labor is 45% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (45%), cement masons and concrete finishers (15%), construction laborers (20%), electricians (10%), roofers (10%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Waco the blended ratio comes out at 0.79.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Waco metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,300, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (92.5) and land at $140 to $460.
Climate in Waco: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Waco Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through May and October through November are the stretches where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Waco (5 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below; June, July, August and September 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 June, July, August and September, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Waco gets about 36 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and October (4.4 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.3 and 2.7 inches. The station averages about 115 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 | 59 | 36 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 63 | 40 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 70 | 47 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 78 | 55 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 85 | 63 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 93 | 71 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Jul | 97 | 74 | 1.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 74 | 2.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 67 | 2.9 | Hot |
| Oct | 81 | 56 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 69 | 46 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 60 | 38 | 2.9 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Waco
Because every project leans on different trades, Waco's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, garage door runs −10% and concrete driveway −17%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,100 – $4,550 | −13% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $620 – $3,350 | −10% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,100 – $7,650 | −17% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $32,300 – $65,600 | −15% |
Waco: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Waco 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
$25,100 to $35,200
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$32,600 to $42,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$40,200 to $50,300
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $10,500 – $14,800 | $13,700 – $18,000 | $17,000 – $21,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $25,100 – $35,200 | $32,600 – $42,800 | $40,200 – $50,300 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $31,300 – $43,900 | $40,800 – $53,300 | $50,200 – $62,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $39,100 – $54,800 | $50,900 – $66,600 | $62,700 – $78,400 |
Waco against nearby metros and the rest of Texas
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Waco. Tyler is the lowest at about $37,200 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 130 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waco, TXthis page | $25,100 – $50,300 | $37,700 | |
| Killeen, TX40 miles | $25,100 – $50,500 | $37,800 | level |
| College Station, TX75 miles | $24,900 – $49,900 | $37,400 | −1% |
| Dallas, TX90 miles | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | +9% |
| Austin, TX95 miles | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | +4% |
| Tyler, TX130 miles | $24,700 – $49,700 | $37,200 | −1% |
| Texas (statewide) | $26,300 – $52,800 | $39,600 | +5% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +15% |
Across 300 US metros, Waco comes in at #283 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Waco is 5% below the Texas figure.
Other Texas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | +9% |
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $26,800 – $53,700 | $40,300 | +7% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | +4% |
| San Antonio, TX | 1,126,880 jobs | $25,500 – $51,200 | $38,300 | +2% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $24,000 – $48,100 | $36,100 | −4% |
| McAllen, TX | 296,700 jobs | $23,900 – $48,000 | $35,900 | −5% |
Cities with a workforce like Waco's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Waco against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | +27% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $32,300 – $64,700 | $48,500 | +29% |
| Fayetteville, NC | 131,430 jobs | $25,700 – $51,700 | $38,700 | +3% |
| Elkhart, IN | 127,730 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | +15% |
Why two Waco quotes can differ
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.
Foundation
A slab is cheapest. A frost-depth foundation in cold states costs more.
Waco 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 Waco is 0.79 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $22.76 an hour, which is 22% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $19.96 and $25.45 an hour. BLS counts 420 of them working in the area, 32.3 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 $18.08 an hour, 20% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.60 and $20.65 an hour. About 1,220 work in the metro. That is 93.9 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 $21.36 an hour, which is 22% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $17.96 and $26.13 an hour. BLS counts 260 of them working in the area, 20.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 13.3), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Electricians (47-2111), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.50 an hour, 23% below the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $21.42 and $30.80 an hour. About 650 work in the metro. That is 50.1 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 $23.56 an hour, which is 12% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $22.85 and $29.52 an hour. BLS counts 200 of them working in the area, 15.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($25.45 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $900. At the 25th percentile ($19.96) it shrinks by about $930. The total moves by 2.4% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 129,860 jobs in the Waco area. That makes it the 168th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.08% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $19.96 | $22.76 | $25.45 | $29.12 | 0.78 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $17.96 | $21.36 | $26.13 | $27.41 | 0.78 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $16.60 | $18.08 | $20.65 | $22.66 | 0.80 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $21.42 | $23.50 | $30.80 | $30.38 | 0.77 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $22.85 | $23.56 | $29.52 | $26.65 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.79 | |||||
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Detached garage in Waco: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Waco?
For 576 sq ft, expect $25,100 to $50,300 in the Waco area. A standard-spec job lands at $32,600 to $42,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Waco?
About $43.50 to $86.50 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 Waco or Killeen?
Killeen is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $37,800, which is 0% more than Waco ($37,700). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Waco?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $17,100 out of $37,700. Materials are 54% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Waco?
$31,300 to $62,800. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Waco?
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 Waco area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Waco expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Texas?
Waco is 5% below the Texas statewide estimate ($39,600 at the midpoint). We cover 21 metros in Texas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Waco?
The BLS median is $22.76 an hour in the Waco area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.96 to $25.45.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Waco?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $25,100 to $35,200 and premium work $40,200 to $50,300. 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 Waco?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through May and October through November. April 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 Waco
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).