Detached garage cost in Virginia Beach, VA
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
- #211
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to build a detached garage in Virginia Beach, plan on $26,500 to $53,100 for 576 sq ft, all in. Per sq ft, that is $45.50 to $91.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Carpenters earn a median of $24.76 an hour in the Virginia Beach area, 15% below the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Virginia Beach, VA, 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 | $18,100 | $23,700 |
| Labor | $16,100 | $21,000 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $390 |
| Total | $34,400 | $45,100 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Virginia Beach, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,900 | $20,900 | $27,900 | 53% |
| Labor | $12,400 | $18,600 | $24,700 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $26,500 | $39,800 | $53,100 | 100% |
What is behind the Virginia Beach number
Labor is 47% 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 Virginia Beach the blended ratio comes out at 0.86.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Virginia Beach metro is 96.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,900, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.9) and land at $150 to $490.
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is 0.86 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $24.76 an hour, which is 15% below the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $22.13 and $29.02 an hour. BLS counts 4,020 of them working in the area, 52.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $18.51 an hour, 18% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.29 and $21.90 an hour. About 5,660 work in the metro. That is 74.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051, weighted 15%) the local median is $23.84 an hour, which is 13% below the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $21.65 and $28.70 an hour. BLS counts 790 of them working in the area, 10.4 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 $29.98 an hour, in line with the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.76 and $35.42 an hour. About 5,740 work in the metro. That is 75.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 48.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For roofers (47-2181, weighted 10%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is 16% below the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $18.92 and $23.32 an hour. BLS counts 350 of them working in the area, 4.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.02 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $1,400. At the 25th percentile ($22.13) it shrinks by about $880. The total moves by 3.6% or 2.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 763,060 jobs in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk area. That makes it the 40th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.49% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $22.13 | $24.76 | $29.02 | $29.12 | 0.85 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $21.65 | $23.84 | $28.70 | $27.41 | 0.87 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $17.29 | $18.51 | $21.90 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.76 | $29.98 | $35.42 | $30.38 | 0.99 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $18.92 | $22.34 | $23.32 | $26.65 | 0.84 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.86 | |||||
Climate in Virginia Beach: timing your detached garage job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Oceana Nas (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Virginia Beach (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below.
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.
Virginia Beach gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.8 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 32 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 | 50 | 32 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 39 | 3.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 69 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 56 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 83 | 66 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 70 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 69 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 64 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 53 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 61 | 42 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 54 | 35 | 3.3 | Cold |
Is Virginia Beach cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (576 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Lexington Park is the priciest of the group at $43,500. Greenville is the cheapest at $38,500.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VAthis page | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | |
| Richmond, VA70 miles | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +1% |
| Greenville, NC100 miles | $25,600 – $51,400 | $38,500 | −3% |
| Lexington Park, MD100 miles | $28,900 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +9% |
| Raleigh, NC135 miles | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Charlottesville, VA145 miles | $27,500 – $55,100 | $41,300 | +4% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $27,800 – $55,900 | $41,900 | +5% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Virginia Beach comes in at #211 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Virginia Beach is 5% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $26,600 – $53,400 | $40,000 | +1% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $25,900 – $51,900 | $38,900 | −2% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $27,500 – $55,100 | $41,300 | +4% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $25,500 – $51,200 | $38,400 | −4% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $26,100 – $52,400 | $39,300 | −1% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $26,300 – $52,900 | $39,600 | level |
Cities with a workforce like Virginia Beach's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Virginia Beach against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $26,500 – $53,200 | $39,900 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $26,700 – $53,600 | $40,100 | +1% |
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | +14% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $30,100 – $60,300 | $45,200 | +14% |
Related projects, priced for Virginia Beach
Because every project leans on different trades, Virginia Beach's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, garage door runs −5% and concrete driveway −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $660 – $3,500 | −5% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,300 – $8,150 | −11% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $34,400 – $69,800 | −9% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: detached garage pricing in Virginia Beach
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Virginia Beach 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
$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 |
Why two Virginia Beach 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.
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 $34,400 to $45,100 for Virginia Beach, VA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Virginia Beach, VA: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. 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 Virginia Beach: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Virginia Beach?
For 576 sq ft, expect $26,500 to $53,100 in the Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach or Richmond?
Richmond is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $40,000, which is 1% more than Virginia Beach ($39,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Virginia Beach?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $18,600 out of $39,800. Materials are 53% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Virginia Beach?
$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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Virginia Beach expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Virginia?
Virginia Beach is 5% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($41,900 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Virginia Beach?
The BLS median is $24.76 an hour in the Virginia Beach area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.13 to $29.02.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April 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 Virginia Beach
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).