Detached garage cost in Racine, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (576 sq ft)
- $29,300 – $58,900
- Per sq ft
- $50.50 – $101
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $43,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #95
- 1 = most expensive
Racine homeowners pay roughly $29,300 to $58,900 to build a detached garage at 576 sq ft, or $50.50 to $101 per sq ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Racine is almost level. Carpenters earn a median of $29.29 an hour in the Racine area, 1% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 576 sq ft in Racine, WI, standard level
$38,200 to $50,000
About $66 to $86 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $17,600 | $23,000 |
| Labor | $20,400 | $26,700 |
| Permits and fees | $240 | $380 |
| Total | $38,200 | $50,000 |
Cost breakdown for 576 sq ft in Racine, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $13,500 | $20,300 | $27,000 | 46% |
| Labor | $15,700 | $23,500 | $31,400 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $310 | $480 | 1% |
| Total | $29,300 | $44,100 | $58,900 | 100% |
Where the Racine price comes from
Labor is 53% 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 Racine the blended ratio comes out at 1.09.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Racine metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 576 sq ft comes to $20,300, compared with $21,600 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $140 to $480.
When to schedule detached garage in Racine
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Racine Batten Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
May through October is the stretch where pouring concrete runs into the fewest weather problems in Racine (6 of 12 months). 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.
Racine gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, May and June (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and October are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 7 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 34 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 43 | 28 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 54 | 37 | 3.7 | Cold |
| May | 66 | 46 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 76 | 57 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 81 | 63 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 63 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 55 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 47 | 32 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.6 | Cold |
Detached garage: what moves the price in Racine
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).
Cost by quality level and size in Racine
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Racine 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
$29,300 to $41,200
Basic shell: slab, framing, siding, a roll-up door
Standard
$38,200 to $50,000
Finished exterior, insulated, electrical and a nicer door
Premium
$47,100 to $58,900
Insulated and drywalled, heat and cooling, upgraded finishes
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12x20), 240 sq ft | $12,300 – $17,300 | $16,100 – $21,100 | $19,800 – $24,800 |
| 2-car (24x24), 576 sq ft | $29,300 – $41,200 | $38,200 – $50,000 | $47,100 – $58,900 |
| 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft | $36,600 – $51,400 | $47,700 – $62,400 | $58,800 – $73,500 |
| 3-car (900 sq ft) | $45,800 – $64,200 | $59,600 – $77,900 | $73,400 – $91,700 |
How Racine 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 $44,100 to $53,300 across Racine and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racine, WIthis page | $29,300 – $58,900 | $44,100 | |
| Milwaukee, WI10 miles | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | +3% |
| Kenosha, WI15 miles | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | +4% |
| Sheboygan, WI65 miles | $29,700 – $59,500 | $44,600 | +1% |
| Janesville, WI65 miles | $31,600 – $63,400 | $47,500 | +8% |
| Chicago, IL70 miles | $35,500 – $71,100 | $53,300 | +21% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $29,500 – $59,100 | $44,300 | level |
| United States | $29,000 – $58,100 | $43,500 | −1% |
Across 300 US metros, Racine comes in at #95 from the top. The priciest is Honolulu, HI at $57,900; the cheapest is Brownsville, TX at $35,500 (midpoints, 576 sq ft). Statewide, Racine is 0% below the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $30,200 – $60,500 | $45,300 | +3% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $29,800 – $59,800 | $44,800 | +2% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $29,200 – $58,600 | $43,900 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $29,700 – $59,600 | $44,600 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $31,900 – $64,000 | $48,000 | +9% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $28,900 – $58,000 | $43,400 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Racine's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Racine against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa, CA | 77,860 jobs | $33,800 – $67,900 | $50,900 | +15% |
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $25,800 – $51,800 | $38,800 | −12% |
| Chico, CA | 78,220 jobs | $31,700 – $63,600 | $47,700 | +8% |
| Kenosha, WI | 75,450 jobs | $30,500 – $61,200 | $45,800 | +4% |
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 Racine is 1.09 times the national level.
For carpenters (47-2031, weighted 45%) the local median is $29.29 an hour, which is in line with the national $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.84 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 42.0 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 $26.11 an hour, 15% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.83 and $33.66 an hour. About 540 work in the metro. That is 70.8 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 $30.51 an hour, which is 11% above the national $27.41. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $35.79 an hour. BLS counts 130 of them working in the area, 17.0 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 $39.67 an hour, 31% above the US median of $30.38. The middle half of them earn between $28.72 and $46.36 an hour. About 350 work in the metro. That is 45.9 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 $29.17 an hour, which is 9% above the national $26.65. The middle half of them earn between $23.46 and $35.47 an hour. BLS counts 70 of them working in the area, 9.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 8.7), so the local bench is about average.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the carpenters on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($40.84 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $3,850. At the 25th percentile ($24.17) it shrinks by about $1,700. The total moves by 8.7% or 3.9%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 76,280 jobs in the Racine-Mount Pleasant area. That makes it the 243rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 45% | $24.17 | $29.29 | $40.84 | $29.12 | 1.01 | metro |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 15% | $23.92 | $30.51 | $35.79 | $27.41 | 1.11 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 20% | $21.83 | $26.11 | $33.66 | $22.66 | 1.15 | metro |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 10% | $28.72 | $39.67 | $46.36 | $30.38 | 1.31 | metro |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 10% | $23.46 | $29.17 | $35.47 | $26.65 | 1.09 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.09 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Racine?
Because every project leans on different trades, Racine's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, concrete driveway runs +9% and garage door −2%.
| 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 – $10,100 | +9% |
| Home addition | 300 sq ft | $39,200 – $79,300 | +3% |
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 $38,200 to $50,000 for Racine, WI is attached.
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Detached garage in Racine: your questions
+How much does it cost to build a detached garage in Racine?
For 576 sq ft, expect $29,300 to $58,900 in the Racine area. A standard-spec job lands at $38,200 to $50,000. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for detached garage in Racine?
About $50.50 to $101 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $140 to $480 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $50 to $100.
+Is detached garage cheaper in Racine or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is 10 miles away. The midpoint for 576 sq ft there is $45,300, which is 3% more than Racine ($44,100). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Racine?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $23,500 out of $44,100. Materials are 46% and permits 1%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 2.5-car (24x30), 720 sq ft cost in Racine?
$36,600 to $73,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does detached garage need a permit in Racine?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $140 to $480 for fees in the Racine area (our national range of $150 to $500 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Racine expensive for detached garage compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Racine is 0% below 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 Racine?
The BLS median is $29.29 an hour in the Racine area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.17 to $40.84.
+What do basic and premium detached garage work cost in Racine?
For 576 sq ft, basic work runs $29,300 to $41,200 and premium work $47,100 to $58,900. 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 Racine?
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 Racine
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).