Detached garage cost in Madison, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $29,800 – $59,800
- Per sq ft
- $51.50 – $103
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #77
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a detached garage in the Madison area: $29,800 to $59,800 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 lands close to the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, 5% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$38,800 to $50,800
About $67 to $87.50 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $21,000 | $27,400 |
| Permits and fees | $250 | $380 |
| Total | $38,800 | $50,800 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,000 | 45% |
| Labor | $16,100 | $24,200 | $32,300 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $150 | $320 | $490 | 1% |
| Total | $29,800 | $44,800 | $59,800 | 100% |
What is behind the Madison 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 Madison the blended ratio comes out at 1.12.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Madison 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 97.3: $150 to $490.
Related projects, priced for Madison
Jobs that often go together with detached garage are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Madison wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete driveway comes out highest (+11%) and garage door lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Garage door | 1 door | $710 – $3,650 | −1% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,950 – $10,300 | +11% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $40,200 – $81,300 | +6% |
The best months for detached garage in Madison
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Madison Dane 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 Madison 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.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Cold |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Madison
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Madison. 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
$29,800 to $41,800
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$38,800 to $50,800
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$47,800 to $59,800
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,500 – $17,600 | $16,300 – $21,400 | $20,100 – $25,200 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $29,800 – $41,800 | $38,800 – $50,800 | $47,800 – $59,800 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $37,200 – $52,200 | $48,400 – $63,400 | $59,600 – $74,600 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $46,500 – $65,100 | $60,500 – $79,100 | $74,500 – $93,100 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Madison bid
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).
Who does the work: Madison 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 Madison the blend is 1.12.
Carpenters (47-2031), 45% of the weighting: a median of $30.52 an hour, 5% above the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $25.71 and $39.68 an hour. About 2,320 work in the metro. That is 56.9 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 $27.40 an hour, which is 21% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. BLS counts 2,370 of them working in the area, 58.1 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 $31.69 an hour, 16% above the US median of $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $29.38 and $38.76 an hour. About 570 work in the metro. That is 14.0 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 $37.71 an hour, which is 24% above the national $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $27.92 and $48.32 an hour. BLS counts 1,760 of them working in the area, 43.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 48.7), so the local bench is about average.
Roofers (47-2181), 10% of the weighting: a median of $29.24 an hour, 10% above the US median of $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.70 and $33.39 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 6.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 8.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $3,050 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,600. That is a swing of roughly 3.6% to 6.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Madison has 408,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 61st 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% | $25.71 | $30.52 | $39.68 | $29.12 | 1.05 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $29.38 | $31.69 | $38.76 | $27.41 | 1.16 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $27.92 | $37.71 | $48.32 | $30.38 | 1.24 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.70 | $29.24 | $33.39 | $26.65 | 1.10 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
How Madison compares
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Madison. Dubuque is the lowest at about $42,000 (midpoint, 576 sq ft), 80 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +6% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $31,600 – $63,500 | $47,600 | +6% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $27,900 – $56,000 | $42,000 | −6% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +7% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $29,500 – $59,100 | $44,300 | −1% |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Madison ranks #77 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Madison is 1% 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% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −2% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | level |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +7% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −3% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $27,000 – $54,200 | $40,600 | −9% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $27,300 – $54,900 | $41,100 | −8% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $26,500 – $53,100 | $39,800 | −11% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $30,700 – $61,700 | $46,200 | +3% |
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Detached garage in Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Madison?
For 576 sq ft, expect $29,800 to $59,800 in the Madison area. A standard-spec job lands at $38,800 to $50,800. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Madison?
About $51.50 to $103 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $150 to $490 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $47,500, which is 6% more than Madison ($44,800). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $24,200 out of $44,800. Materials are 45% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Madison?
$37,200 to $74,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Madison?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $150 to $490 for fees in the Madison area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison is 1% 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $30.52 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $25.71 to $39.68.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Madison?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $29,800 to $41,800 and premium work $47,800 to $59,800. 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 Madison?
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 Madison
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).