Detached garage cost in Wisconsin
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (576 sq ft)
- $29,500 – $59,100
- Per sq ft
- $51 – $102
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $43,500
- Metros covered
- 12
Wisconsin prices for detached garage: $29,500 to $59,100 for 576 sq ft, or $51 to $102 per sq ft without the permit. The state midpoint is 2% above the national one. Local wages for carpenters are $29.65 an hour.
Inside Wisconsin, the metros we cover range from $41,900 (Wausau) to $48,000 (Oshkosh) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
Estimate your detached garage cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Wisconsin (statewide), standard level
$38,400 to $50,200
About $66 to $86.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,700 | $23,100 |
| Labor | $20,500 | $26,800 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $38,400 | $50,200 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Wisconsin
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,600 | $20,400 | $27,200 | 46% |
| Labor | $15,700 | $23,600 | $31,500 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $310 | $470 | 1% |
| Total | $29,500 | $44,300 | $59,100 | 100% |
Related projects, priced for Wisconsin
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. Against national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+8%) and garage door lowest (−2%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,300 | +3% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $700 – $3,600 | −2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $10,000 | +8% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,300 – $79,500 | +3% |
Detached garage cost by metro in Wisconsin
7 of the 12 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $44,300, and the top-to-bottom gap is 14%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (576 sq ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh, WI | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +8% |
| Janesville, WI | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +7% |
| Kenosha, WI | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | +3% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | +2% |
| Madison, WI | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | +1% |
| Appleton, WI | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | +1% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $29,700 – $59,500 | $44,600 | +1% |
| Racine, WI | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | level |
| La Crosse, WI | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −1% |
| Green Bay, WI | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −2% |
| Wausau, WI | $27,900 – $56,000 | $41,900 | −5% |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Wisconsin
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.
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.
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).
Quality levels and sizes in Wisconsin
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide Wisconsin wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 4 common sizes.
Basic
$29,500 to $41,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$38,400 to $50,200
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$47,300 to $59,100
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,400 – $17,400 | $16,100 – $21,100 | $19,900 – $24,900 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $29,500 – $41,300 | $38,400 – $50,200 | $47,300 – $59,100 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $36,800 – $51,600 | $47,900 – $62,700 | $59,000 – $73,800 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $46,000 – $64,400 | $59,800 – $78,300 | $73,700 – $92,100 |
How Wisconsin compares with nearby states
Wisconsin ranks 15 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for detached garage, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $56,300 and the cheapest Arkansas at $37,800, both for 576 sq ft at the midpoint. Wisconsin sits at $44,300. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
| State | Distance | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 120 miles away | $34,500 – $69,200 | $51,900 | +17% |
| Iowa | 230 miles away | $27,600 – $55,400 | $41,500 | −6% |
| Michigan | 230 miles away | $29,200 – $58,500 | $43,800 | −1% |
| Minnesota | 260 miles away | $31,500 – $63,200 | $47,300 | +7% |
| Indiana | 260 miles away | $29,100 – $58,300 | $43,700 | −1% |
When Wisconsin weather lets you build
Season matters for detached garage. For each Wisconsin metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for pouring concrete.
Milwaukee has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in Wisconsin at 6 months (May through October); Wausau has the shortest at 5 (May through September). Rainfall runs from 32 inches a year in Green Bay to 37 inches in La Crosse.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 14 | 83 | 34 | 6: May through October |
| Madison | 12 | 82 | 37 | 5: May through September |
| Green Bay | 11 | 81 | 32 | 5: May through September |
| Appleton | 10 | 82 | 33 | 5: May through September |
| Oshkosh | 10 | 82 | 33 | 6: May through October |
| Eau Claire | 6 | 83 | 33 | 5: May through September |
| La Crosse | 8 | 80 | 37 | 5: May through September |
| Racine | 16 | 81 | 32 | 6: May through October |
| Kenosha | 16 | 84 | 32 | 6: May through October |
| Janesville | 12 | 83 | 37 | 5: May through September |
| Wausau | 7 | 80 | 34 | 5: May through September |
| Sheboygan | 15 | 82 | 35 | 6: May through October |
What carpenters and the other trades earn in Wisconsin
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 5 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.09 for Wisconsin.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.65 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $38.13 an hour. BLS counts 13,880 of them working in the state, 47.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 43.1), so the local bench is about average.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.97 an hour, 19% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $34.68 an hour. About 20,330 work in the state. That is 69.1 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 $30.89 an hour, which is 13% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $28.40 and $38.29 an hour. BLS counts 4,490 of them working in the state, 15.3 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 $36.80 an hour, 21% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $26.84 and $45.09 an hour. About 14,310 work in the state. That is 48.6 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 $28.54 an hour, which is 7% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $31.41 an hour. BLS counts 2,400 of them working in the state, 8.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for carpenters ($38.13 an hour) would add about $2,850 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($23.92) would take off about $1,900. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 2,941,540 jobs across Wisconsin (May 2025), which is 1.9% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $23.92 | $29.65 | $38.13 | $29.12 | 1.02 | state |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $28.40 | $30.89 | $38.29 | $27.41 | 1.13 | state |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.14 | $26.97 | $34.68 | $22.66 | 1.19 | state |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $26.84 | $36.80 | $45.09 | $30.38 | 1.21 | state |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $31.41 | $26.65 | 1.07 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
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 $38,400 to $50,200 for Wisconsin is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for Wisconsin: 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 Wisconsin: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Wisconsin?
$29,500 to $59,100 for 576 sq ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside Wisconsin can sit above or below that.
+Which city in Wisconsin is cheapest for detached garage?
Wausau at about $41,900 (midpoint, 576 sq ft). The priciest is Oshkosh at $48,000.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Wisconsin than the US average?
It is 2% more expensive: $44,300 against $43,500 for 576 sq ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in Wisconsin?
About 53% ($23,600). Materials are 46%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.09x the national wage level.
+What do carpenters earn in Wisconsin?
The BLS statewide median is $29.65 an hour, against $29.12 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.92 to $38.13.
+Where does Wisconsin rank for detached garage costs?
15th most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $44,300 for 576 sq ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Wisconsin?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $29,500 to $41,300 and premium work $47,300 to $59,100. Basic means: basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door. Premium means: insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes.
+Does the season matter for detached garage in Wisconsin?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the Wisconsin metros we cover, Milwaukee has the most comfortable months (6 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
Detached garage by city in Wisconsin
- Oshkosh, WI$48,000 midpoint
- Janesville, WI$47,500 midpoint
- Kenosha, WI$45,800 midpoint
- Milwaukee, WI$45,300 midpoint
- Madison, WI$44,800 midpoint
- Appleton, WI$44,600 midpoint
- Sheboygan, WI$44,600 midpoint
- Racine, WI$44,100 midpoint
- La Crosse, WI$43,900 midpoint
- Green Bay, WI$43,900 midpoint
- Eau Claire, WI$43,400 midpoint
- Wausau, WI$41,900 midpoint
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).