Detached garage cost in Bellingham, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $33,400 – $67,000
- Per sq ft
- $57.50 – $115
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +15%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #10
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Bellingham area: $33,400 to $67,000 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 runs 15% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $35.22 an hour in the Bellingham area, 21% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Bellingham, WA, standard level
$43,500 to $56,900
About $75 to $98 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,700 | $25,700 |
| Labor | $23,600 | $30,800 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $410 |
| Total | $43,500 | $56,900 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Bellingham, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,100 | $22,700 | $30,200 | 45% |
| Labor | $18,100 | $27,200 | $36,300 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $160 | $340 | $520 | 1% |
| Total | $33,400 | $50,200 | $67,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Bellingham number
Labor is 54% 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 Bellingham the blended ratio comes out at 1.26.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Bellingham is at 105.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $22,700 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.3: $160 to $520.
The best months for detached garage in Bellingham
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Bellingham 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 Bellingham are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November 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.
Bellingham gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.2 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.9 and 1.1 inches.
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 | 46 | 34 | 4.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 49 | 35 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 53 | 38 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 42 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 64 | 47 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 68 | 52 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 73 | 55 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 73 | 55 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 68 | 50 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 59 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 38 | 5.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 46 | 34 | 4.3 | Cold |
Who does the work: Bellingham 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 Bellingham the blend is 1.26.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $35.22 an hour, 21% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $29.17 and $46.22 an hour. About 950 work in the metro. That is 104.0 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 $28.06 an hour, which is 24% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.41 and $36.85 an hour. BLS counts 1,030 of them working in the area, 112.7 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 $37.46 an hour, 37% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.34 and $48.44 an hour. About 130 work in the metro. That is 14.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $46.92 an hour, which is 54% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $33.38 and $60.08 an hour. BLS counts 560 of them working in the area, 61.3 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 $28.72 an hour, 8% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $24.26 and $37.17 an hour. About 440 work in the metro. That is 48.1 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 $3,650 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $2,000. That is a swing of roughly 4.0% to 7.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Bellingham has 91,390 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 217th 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% | $29.17 | $35.22 | $46.22 | $29.12 | 1.21 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $28.34 | $37.46 | $48.44 | $27.41 | 1.37 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.41 | $28.06 | $36.85 | $22.66 | 1.24 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $33.38 | $46.92 | $60.08 | $30.38 | 1.54 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $24.26 | $28.72 | $37.17 | $26.65 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
Bellingham against nearby metros and the rest of Washington
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 $46,900 to $51,100 across Bellingham and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WAthis page | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | |
| Bremerton, WA90 miles | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −4% |
| Seattle, WA95 miles | $34,000 – $68,200 | $51,100 | +2% |
| Olympia, WA140 miles | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | −5% |
| Yakima, WA175 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −5% |
| Spokane, WA200 miles | $31,200 – $62,600 | $46,900 | −7% |
| Washington (statewide) | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Bellingham ranks #10 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Bellingham is 0% above the Washington figure.
Elsewhere in Washington
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $34,000 – $68,200 | $51,100 | +2% |
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $31,200 – $62,600 | $46,900 | −7% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | −5% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $32,300 – $64,700 | $48,500 | −3% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −5% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Bellingham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −4% |
| Panama City, FL | 90,610 jobs | $26,100 – $52,500 | $39,300 | −22% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −4% |
| St. George, UT | 90,500 jobs | $26,300 – $52,700 | $39,500 | −21% |
What nearby projects cost in Bellingham
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Bellingham wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+24%) and garage door lowest (+11%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,900 – $6,000 | +17% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $800 – $4,100 | +11% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,450 – $11,500 | +24% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $45,500 – $92,000 | +20% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Bellingham bid
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.
Bellingham: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Bellingham. 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
$33,400 to $46,900
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$43,500 to $56,900
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$53,600 to $67,000
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $14,000 – $19,700 | $18,300 – $24,000 | $22,500 – $28,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $33,400 – $46,900 | $43,500 – $56,900 | $53,600 – $67,000 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $41,700 – $58,500 | $54,300 – $71,100 | $66,900 – $83,700 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $52,100 – $73,000 | $67,800 – $88,700 | $83,500 – $104,500 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detached garage in Bellingham: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Bellingham?
For 576 sq ft, expect $33,400 to $67,000 in the Bellingham area. A standard-spec job lands at $43,500 to $56,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Bellingham?
About $57.50 to $115 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $160 to $520 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Bellingham or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 90 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $48,000, which is 4% less than Bellingham ($50,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Bellingham?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $27,200 out of $50,200. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Bellingham?
$41,700 to $83,700. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Bellingham?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $160 to $520 for fees in the Bellingham area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Bellingham expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Washington?
Bellingham is 0% above the Washington statewide estimate ($50,100 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Washington; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Bellingham?
The BLS median is $35.22 an hour in the Bellingham area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $29.17 to $46.22.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Bellingham?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $33,400 to $46,900 and premium work $53,600 to $67,000. 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 Bellingham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Bellingham
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).