Detached garage cost in Seattle, WA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $34,000 – $68,200
- Per sq ft
- $59 – $118
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #7
- 1 = most expensive
Seattle homeowners pay roughly $34,000 to $68,200 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $59 to $118 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Seattle is 17% higher. Carpenters earn a median of $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, 26% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Seattle, WA, standard level
$44,300 to $58,000
About $76.50 to $100 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,500 | $25,500 |
| Labor | $24,500 | $32,100 |
| Permits and fees | $280 | $440 |
| Total | $44,300 | $58,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Seattle, WA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $22,500 | $29,900 | 44% |
| Labor | $18,900 | $28,300 | $37,700 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $170 | $360 | $560 | 1% |
| Total | $34,000 | $51,100 | $68,200 | 100% |
Where the Seattle price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $36.74 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Seattle is 1.31 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Seattle metro is 104.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $22,500, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (111.1) and land at $170 to $560.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Seattle is 1.31 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $36.74 an hour, which is 26% above the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $30.64 and $47.93 an hour. BLS counts 14,970 of them working in the area, 71.8 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 $28.72 an hour, 27% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $37.03 an hour. About 13,040 work in the metro. That is 62.5 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 $38.88 an hour, which is 42% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.14 and $52.52 an hour. BLS counts 2,140 of them working in the area, 10.3 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 $48.93 an hour, 61% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $36.35 and $60.55 an hour. About 9,750 work in the metro. That is 46.7 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 $30.81 an hour, which is 16% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $27.23 and $44.40 an hour. BLS counts 2,970 of them working in the area, 14.2 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 ($47.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,750. At the 25th percentile ($30.64) it shrinks by about $2,050. The total moves by 7.3% or 4.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 2,086,210 jobs in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area. That makes it the 13th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.34% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $30.64 | $36.74 | $47.93 | $29.12 | 1.26 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.14 | $38.88 | $52.52 | $27.41 | 1.42 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $23.67 | $28.72 | $37.03 | $22.66 | 1.27 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $36.35 | $48.93 | $60.55 | $30.38 | 1.61 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $27.23 | $30.81 | $44.40 | $26.65 | 1.16 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.31 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a Seattle 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.
What nearby projects cost in Seattle
Because every project leans on different trades, Seattle's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +27% and garage door +13%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,950 – $6,100 | +18% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $810 – $4,150 | +13% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,550 – $11,800 | +27% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $46,900 – $94,800 | +23% |
When to schedule detached garage in Seattle
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Seattle Sand Pt Wsfo (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 Seattle (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.
Seattle gets about 38 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 4 inches of snow. The wettest months are January, November and December (5.8 inches in November). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.8 and 1.0 inches. The station averages about 2 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 | 47 | 37 | 5.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 50 | 37 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 39 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 65 | 48 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 70 | 53 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 77 | 57 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 77 | 57 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 71 | 53 | 1.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 47 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 41 | 5.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 37 | 5.5 | Cold |
How Seattle 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 $47,500 to $51,100 across Seattle and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WAthis page | $34,000 – $68,200 | $51,100 | |
| Bremerton, WA40 miles | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −6% |
| Olympia, WA60 miles | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | −6% |
| Yakima, WA90 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −7% |
| Bellingham, WA95 miles | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | −2% |
| Portland, OR135 miles | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | −2% |
| Washington (statewide) | $33,300 – $66,900 | $50,100 | −2% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Seattle comes in at #7 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Seattle is 2% above the Washington figure.
Other Washington metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spokane, WA | 255,820 jobs | $31,200 – $62,600 | $46,900 | −8% |
| Olympia, WA | 130,300 jobs | $31,900 – $63,900 | $47,900 | −6% |
| Kennewick, WA | 129,490 jobs | $32,300 – $64,700 | $48,500 | −5% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | −7% |
| Bremerton, WA | 93,740 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | −6% |
| Bellingham, WA | 91,390 jobs | $33,400 – $67,000 | $50,200 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Seattle's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Seattle against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $36,700 – $73,600 | $55,200 | +8% |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $33,300 – $66,800 | $50,000 | −2% |
| Phoenix, AZ | 2,375,760 jobs | $28,000 – $56,300 | $42,200 | −18% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $30,800 – $61,800 | $46,300 | −9% |
Seattle: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Seattle 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
$34,000 to $47,700
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$44,300 to $58,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$54,600 to $68,200
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $14,300 – $20,100 | $18,600 – $24,400 | $23,000 – $28,800 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $34,000 – $47,700 | $44,300 – $58,000 | $54,600 – $68,200 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $42,500 – $59,600 | $55,300 – $72,400 | $68,100 – $85,200 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $53,100 – $74,400 | $69,000 – $90,300 | $85,000 – $106,500 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed detached garage report for Seattle, WA, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for Seattle, WA 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 Seattle: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Seattle?
For 576 sq ft, expect $34,000 to $68,200 in the Seattle area. A standard-spec job lands at $44,300 to $58,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Seattle?
About $59 to $118 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $170 to $560 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Seattle or Bremerton?
Bremerton is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $48,000, which is 6% less than Seattle ($51,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Seattle?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $28,300 out of $51,100. Materials are 44% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Seattle?
$42,500 to $85,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Seattle?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $170 to $560 for fees in the Seattle area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Seattle expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Washington?
Seattle is 2% 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 Seattle?
The BLS median is $36.74 an hour in the Seattle area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $30.64 to $47.93.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Seattle?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $34,000 to $47,700 and premium work $54,600 to $68,200. 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 Seattle?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. 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 Seattle
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).