Detached garage cost in Kenosha, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $30,500 – $61,200
- Per sq ft
- $52.50 – $105
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +5%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #60
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Kenosha area: $30,500 to $61,200 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 5% higher than the US figure. Building materials run about 6% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 106.2).
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Kenosha, WI, standard level
$39,700 to $52,000
About $68.50 to $89.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $19,900 | $26,000 |
| Labor | $19,500 | $25,600 |
| Permits and fees | $260 | $400 |
| Total | $39,700 | $52,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Kenosha, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,300 | $22,900 | $30,600 | 50% |
| Labor | $15,000 | $22,600 | $30,100 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $330 | $510 | 1% |
| Total | $30,500 | $45,800 | $61,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Kenosha number
The wage side of the estimate leans on carpenters, who do 45% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $28.90 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Kenosha is 1.04 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Kenosha is at 106.2 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $21,600 nationally becomes $22,900 here (midpoint, 576 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.1: $150 to $510.
Data note: 10% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Kenosha. The wage table below marks each row.
Detached garage: what moves the price in Kenosha
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).
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.
Is Kenosha cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $53,300 across Kenosha and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WIthis page | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | |
| Racine, WI15 miles | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −4% |
| Milwaukee, WI20 miles | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −1% |
| Chicago, IL55 miles | $35,500 – $71,100 | $53,300 | +16% |
| Janesville, WI60 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +4% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | +4% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $29,500 – $59,100 | $44,300 | −3% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Kenosha ranks #60 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Kenosha is 3% above the Wisconsin figure.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | −1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | −2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −4% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | −3% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +5% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −5% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kenosha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $25,800 – $51,800 | $38,800 | −15% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $24,600 – $49,400 | $37,000 | −19% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | −4% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $27,200 – $54,500 | $40,900 | −11% |
Related projects, priced for Kenosha
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Kenosha wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+7%) and home addition lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,500 | +6% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $750 – $3,950 | +6% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,900 – $9,800 | +7% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $40,100 – $81,100 | +5% |
The best months for detached garage in Kenosha
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Kenosha Rgnl 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 Kenosha are May through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, 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.
Kenosha gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, June and August (3.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 3.6 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 37 | 22 | 1.5 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Kenosha
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Kenosha. 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
$30,500 to $42,800
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$39,700 to $52,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$48,900 to $61,200
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,800 – $18,000 | $16,700 – $21,900 | $20,600 – $25,800 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $30,500 – $42,800 | $39,700 – $52,000 | $48,900 – $61,200 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $38,100 – $53,400 | $49,500 – $64,800 | $61,000 – $76,300 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $47,500 – $66,600 | $61,900 – $81,000 | $76,200 – $95,300 |
Who does the work: Kenosha 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 Kenosha the blend is 1.04.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $28.90 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.15 and $35.62 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 41.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 20%) the local median is $24.06 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.67 and $29.45 an hour. BLS counts 340 of them working in the area, 45.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051), 15% of the weighting: a median of $29.15 an hour, 6% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $26.94 and $36.05 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 9.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 13.3 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For electricians (47-2111, weighted 10%) the local median is $36.04 an hour, which is 19% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $42.33 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 15.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Roofers (47-2181) carry 10% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Kenosha metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $28.54 an hour against $26.65 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $31.41 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,250 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,600. That is a swing of roughly 3.5% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Kenosha has 75,450 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 245th 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% | $24.15 | $28.90 | $35.62 | $29.12 | 0.99 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $26.94 | $29.15 | $36.05 | $27.41 | 1.06 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.67 | $24.06 | $29.45 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $23.67 | $36.04 | $42.33 | $30.38 | 1.19 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.01 | $28.54 | $31.41 | $26.65 | 1.07 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
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Detached garage in Kenosha: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Kenosha?
For 576 sq ft, expect $30,500 to $61,200 in the Kenosha area. A standard-spec job lands at $39,700 to $52,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Kenosha?
About $52.50 to $105 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $510 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Kenosha or Racine?
Racine is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $44,100, which is 4% less than Kenosha ($45,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kenosha?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $22,600 out of $45,800. Materials are 50% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Kenosha?
$38,100 to $76,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Kenosha?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $510 for fees in the Kenosha area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kenosha expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Kenosha is 3% 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 Kenosha?
The BLS median is $28.90 an hour in the Kenosha area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.15 to $35.62.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Kenosha?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $30,500 to $42,800 and premium work $48,900 to $61,200. 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 Kenosha?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through October. July and October 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 Kenosha
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).