Detached garage cost in Salt Lake City, UT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $28,300 – $56,900
- Per sq ft
- $49 – $98
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #129
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Salt Lake City area: $28,300 to $56,900 for 576 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.4).
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT, standard level
$36,900 to $48,300
About $63.50 to $83 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $18,100 | $23,600 |
| Labor | $18,600 | $24,300 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $36,900 | $48,300 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Salt Lake City, UT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,800 | $27,800 | 49% |
| Labor | $14,300 | $21,400 | $28,600 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $500 | 1% |
| Total | $28,300 | $42,600 | $56,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Salt Lake City number
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, Salt Lake City wages are 0.99 times the national level. Labor makes up about 50% of the midpoint estimate (50% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Salt Lake City is at 96.4 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 100.9: $150 to $500.
The best months for detached garage in Salt Lake City
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Salt Lake City Intl 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 Salt Lake City are April through June and September through October: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, 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.
Salt Lake City gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (2.2 inches in April). Inside the workable window, June and September are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches. The station averages about 62 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 | 39 | 24 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 36 | 1.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 62 | 42 | 2.2 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 50 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 59 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 68 | 0.5 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 67 | 0.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 81 | 56 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 44 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 33 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 1.4 | Cold |
Salt Lake City against nearby metros and the rest of Utah
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Salt Lake City. St. George is the lowest at about $39,500 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 230 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City, UTthis page | $28,300 – $56,900 | $42,600 | |
| Provo, UT60 miles | $27,100 – $54,400 | $40,800 | −4% |
| Ogden, UT70 miles | $26,800 – $53,700 | $40,200 | −5% |
| Logan, UT110 miles | $26,600 – $53,300 | $39,900 | −6% |
| Idaho Falls, ID210 miles | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | −4% |
| St. George, UT230 miles | $26,300 – $52,700 | $39,500 | −7% |
| Utah (statewide) | $27,300 – $54,800 | $41,000 | −4% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Salt Lake City ranks #129 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Salt Lake City is 4% above the Utah figure.
Elsewhere in Utah
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $27,100 – $54,400 | $40,800 | −4% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $26,800 – $53,700 | $40,200 | −5% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $26,300 – $52,700 | $39,500 | −7% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $26,600 – $53,300 | $39,900 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Salt Lake City against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | 1,031,130 jobs | $29,200 – $58,500 | $43,900 | +3% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | +6% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $32,600 – $65,400 | $49,000 | +15% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $26,500 – $53,200 | $39,900 | −6% |
Cost by quality level and size in Salt Lake City
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Salt Lake City. 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
$28,300 to $39,700
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$36,900 to $48,300
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$45,400 to $56,900
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $11,900 – $16,700 | $15,500 – $20,400 | $19,100 – $24,000 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $28,300 – $39,700 | $36,900 – $48,300 | $45,400 – $56,900 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $35,400 – $49,600 | $46,000 – $60,300 | $56,700 – $70,900 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $44,200 – $61,900 | $57,500 – $75,200 | $70,800 – $88,500 |
Why two Salt Lake City quotes can differ
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.
Who does the work: Salt Lake City trade wages
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 Salt Lake City the blend is 0.99.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $28.78 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.83 and $31.00 an hour. About 6,420 work in the metro. That is 77.7 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 $22.82 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $27.96 an hour. BLS counts 7,790 of them working in the area, 94.3 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 $29.20 an hour, 7% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.93 and $30.40 an hour. About 1,850 work in the metro. That is 22.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $30.11 an hour, which is in line with the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.56 and $38.55 an hour. BLS counts 5,710 of them working in the area, 69.1 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 $23.18 an hour, 13% below the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $21.94 and $29.71 an hour. About 1,330 work in the metro. That is 16.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $740 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,000. That is a swing of roughly 4.7% to 1.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Salt Lake City-Murray has 826,210 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 37th 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% | $22.83 | $28.78 | $31.00 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.93 | $29.20 | $30.40 | $27.41 | 1.07 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $19.03 | $22.82 | $27.96 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.56 | $30.11 | $38.55 | $30.38 | 0.99 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $21.94 | $23.18 | $29.71 | $26.65 | 0.87 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.99 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Salt Lake City
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Salt Lake City wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+1%) and home addition lowest (−2%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Garage door | 1 door | $690 – $3,600 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,350 | +1% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $37,100 – $75,300 | −2% |
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 $36,900 to $48,300 for Salt Lake City, UT is attached.
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Detached garage in Salt Lake City: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Salt Lake City?
For 576 sq ft, expect $28,300 to $56,900 in the Salt Lake City area. A standard-spec job lands at $36,900 to $48,300. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Salt Lake City?
About $49 to $98 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $500 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Salt Lake City or Provo?
Provo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $40,800, which is 4% less than Salt Lake City ($42,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Salt Lake City?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $21,400 out of $42,600. Materials are 49% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Salt Lake City?
$35,400 to $70,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Salt Lake City?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $500 for fees in the Salt Lake City area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Salt Lake City expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Utah?
Salt Lake City is 4% above the Utah statewide estimate ($41,000 at the midpoint). We cover 5 metros in Utah; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Salt Lake City?
The BLS median is $28.78 an hour in the Salt Lake City area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.83 to $31.00.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Salt Lake City?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $28,300 to $39,700 and premium work $45,400 to $56,900. 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 Salt Lake City?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through June and September through October. June and September 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 Salt Lake City
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).