Detached garage cost in Janesville, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $31,600 – $63,400
- Per sq ft
- $54.50 – $109
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +9%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #44
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Janesville area: $31,600 to $63,400 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 9% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, 24% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Janesville, WI, standard level
$41,100 to $53,800
About $71 to $93 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $23,300 | $30,500 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $370 |
| Total | $41,100 | $53,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Janesville, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,000 | 43% |
| Labor | $17,900 | $26,900 | $35,900 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $300 | $470 | 1% |
| Total | $31,600 | $47,500 | $63,400 | 100% |
Why Janesville prices look the way they do
Labor is 57% 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 Janesville the blended ratio comes out at 1.25.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Janesville is at 93.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $20,300 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 93.7: $140 to $470.
The best months for detached garage in Janesville
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Afton - Janesville Wwtp (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 Janesville are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, 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.
Janesville gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 28 | 12 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Feb | 32 | 15 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 36 | 3.6 | Cold |
| May | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 58 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 62 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 60 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 40 | 3.0 | Cold |
| Nov | 46 | 29 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 34 | 18 | 1.9 | Cold |
Janesville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Janesville. 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
$31,600 to $44,300
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$41,100 to $53,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$50,600 to $63,400
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $13,200 – $18,600 | $17,300 – $22,600 | $21,300 – $26,700 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $31,600 – $44,300 | $41,100 – $53,800 | $50,600 – $63,400 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $39,400 – $55,300 | $51,300 – $67,200 | $63,200 – $79,100 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $49,300 – $69,100 | $64,100 – $83,900 | $78,900 – $98,700 |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Janesville
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.
Who does the work: Janesville 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 Janesville the blend is 1.25.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $36.24 an hour, 24% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $39.98 an hour. About 360 work in the metro. That is 51.5 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 $26.77 an hour, which is 18% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.00 and $36.28 an hour. BLS counts 480 of them working in the area, 68.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $37.50 an hour, 37% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.43 and $39.04 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 14.3 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 $39.51 an hour, which is 30% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.67 and $46.61 an hour. BLS counts 560 of them working in the area, 80.1 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 $30.44 an hour, 14% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $26.83 and $37.51 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 10.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $1,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $4,100. That is a swing of roughly 8.7% to 2.6% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Janesville-Beloit has 69,870 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 260th 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% | $23.92 | $36.24 | $39.98 | $29.12 | 1.24 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.43 | $37.50 | $39.04 | $27.41 | 1.37 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.00 | $26.77 | $36.28 | $22.66 | 1.18 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.67 | $39.51 | $46.61 | $30.38 | 1.30 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $26.83 | $30.44 | $37.51 | $26.65 | 1.14 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
Janesville against nearby metros and the rest of Wisconsin
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 $44,100 to $47,600 across Janesville and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WIthis page | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | |
| Rockford, IL25 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | level |
| Madison, WI40 miles | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | −6% |
| Kenosha, WI60 miles | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | −3% |
| Milwaukee, WI65 miles | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −4% |
| Racine, WI65 miles | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −7% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $29,500 – $59,100 | $44,300 | −7% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Janesville ranks #44 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Janesville is 7% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −4% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | −6% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −8% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +1% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −9% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Janesville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $28,900 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −8% |
| Wausau, WI | 69,530 jobs | $27,900 – $56,000 | $41,900 | −12% |
| Bismarck, ND | 71,270 jobs | $27,700 – $55,600 | $41,600 | −12% |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $26,200 – $52,600 | $39,400 | −17% |
What nearby projects cost in Janesville
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Janesville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+17%) and garage door lowest (+3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,700 – $5,550 | +8% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $750 – $3,750 | +3% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $4,150 – $10,800 | +17% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $43,100 – $87,100 | +13% |
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 $41,100 to $53,800 for Janesville, WI is attached.
Detailed detached garage report for Janesville, WI, $9
The report lays out the detached garage numbers for Janesville, WI 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 Janesville: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Janesville?
For 576 sq ft, expect $31,600 to $63,400 in the Janesville area. A standard-spec job lands at $41,100 to $53,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Janesville?
About $54.50 to $109 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $140 to $470 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Janesville or Rockford?
Rockford is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $47,600, which is 0% more than Janesville ($47,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Janesville?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $26,900 out of $47,500. Materials are 43% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Janesville?
$39,400 to $79,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Janesville?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $470 for fees in the Janesville area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Janesville expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Janesville is 7% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($44,300 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do carpenters earn in Janesville?
The BLS median is $36.24 an hour in the Janesville area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.92 to $39.98.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Janesville?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $31,600 to $44,300 and premium work $50,600 to $63,400. 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 Janesville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. May 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 Janesville
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).