How Much Does It Cost To Build A 24×24 Garage?

Nick Durante
by Nick Durante

To a homeowner, a garage can be just as important as a kitchen or bathroom. Sure, your car is best protected in the safety of a garage, but a garage can also provide peace of mind. The bigger the garage, the better, but how much does it cost to build a 24×24 garage?

On average, a 24×24 garage will cost $32,000, which includes materials and labor costs. Out of that, just the excavation and foundation will cost $14,300. The price for new garage construction is about $50 per square foot. This does not include the cost of installing electricity. You’ll also have to spend about $4,000 on two new garage doors.

Labor makes up at least 60% of the total 24×24 garage construction costs. Even still, the price is worth every penny. Follow along as we explore the ins and outs of building a 24×24 garage.

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These Homeowners Break Down the Cost to Build a 24×24 Garage

Factors to Consider for Garage Construction

Building a garage is a lofty task and potentially expensive project, especially if it is 24×24. You have several factors to consider, such as materials, labor, permits, and time. Follow along as we take a deep dive into all of the cost factors that determine how much your 24×24 garage will ultimately cost.

Permits

Before you can begin construction on your 24×24 garage, you will need to obtain a permi t. Permits cost an average of $850 for garage construction, but they can cost as little as $200. In rare cases, a permit for garage construction can cost up to $1,500 or more.

You must apply and receive a permit to build a 24×24 garage. If you fail to obtain a permit and proceed with construction, fines and sanctions may apply to you. This is especially true if you live in an HOA (Homeowner’s Association) neighborhood.

Cost Per Square Foot

It generally costs $50 per square foot to build a 24×24 garage, but it can go as low as $35 per square foot. Rates can soar as high as $70-$80 per square foot when expensive materials and labor rates get involved. Construction gets expensive for 24×24 garages as they generally run up to 20 feet deep or more which entails a lot of material.

By comparison, a single-car garage would only cost $11,000-$27,000 as they run 240 square feet or larger. A 24×24 garage is 576 square feet, and that could cost as much as $46,000 or more when all is said and done. Speaking to multiple contractors is the best way to ensure that you get the best value per square foot.

Materials

Materials are what ultimately determines the cost of your 24×24 garage construction, and it’s important to choose wisely. The most important materials are the concrete slab, drywall, roofing, and framing costs that determine your total cost. Let’s take a look at the individual costs of each of these materials, and how they add up to determine your total price.

Concrete Slab

The concrete slab is the bedrock of your 24×24 garage, so to speak, but it is also quite expensive. It generally costs $6 per square foot to pour a 24×24 concrete slab, but it can cost up to $9 per square foot. You can expect to pay between $3,456 and $5,184 for a 24×24 concrete slab for your new garage, depending on the professional.

Concrete slab installation is tricky, requires a lot of materials, and most importantly, labor. Because of that, contractors charge high prices for the installation of a concrete slab in your 24×24 garage. With that said, you need a concrete slab as it is critical to the structure of your garage in general.

Another cost that you need to consider is the finish of your concrete slab. You may spend between $4 and $18 per square foot to have your concrete slab professionally finished. Standard finishes start at $4 per square foot, and advanced finishes generally start at $18 per square foot.

Roofing

A garage is not complete without a roof, and that eats up a lot of the costs of a 24×24 garage. Expect to spend between $1,600 and $16,000 in roofing costs between the labor and material for a 24×24 garage. Roofing materials such as asphalt are quite affordable and start at $5,000 for materials and installation.

Once you get into tile roofing, however, material and installation costs can soar quite high. You could spend up to $20,000 or more on tile roofing for a 24×24 garage. One of your most expensive options is slate roofing, which costs $17,000 on the absolute lowest end of the spectrum.

Roofing costs are all about the material you choose, and asphalt and metal are the cheapest options. With that said, it’s always worthwhile to choose a material that will keep your garage warm and protected. Houses in a cold environment can benefit from materials such as tile and slate in a 24×24 garage.

Insulation

It’s important to consider what kind of insulation will be best for your 24×24 garage before you commission it. You can choose between blown-in insulation, spray foam, and batt insulation for your garage. Blown-in insulation, for example, can cost between $900 and $3,000 depending on the total material and labor cost.

The most expensive insulation option for your 24×24 garage is spray foam, and it can cost just under $4,000. Each window in your garage can cost an average of $200-$300 to insulate depending on the type of insulation. Batt insulation costs roughly the same as blown-in insulation and choosing between the two is up to personal preference.

You will often spend $2 or more per square foot on insulation costs, and that generally includes labor. Speak to your contractor about which type of insulation is best suited for your future garage.

Framing

Framing is essential to build your 24×24 garage, but it’s also costly. Between materials and labor, you can expect to pay an average of $5-$13 per square foot, or more, on framing. The low end of material costs start at $1-$4, but you’ll spend an additional $4-$9 per square foot due to labor.

The sheathing is another cost that comes along with framing your garage, and it can add up. You will spend an average of $5 per square foot on sheathing materials and labor in addition to the framing itself. Speak to your contractor about what is in store for you regarding your framing costs for your garage installation.

Total framing costs could equal as much as $2,2880-$7,488 based on materials and labor. Ultimately, framing makes up a big chunk of your total 24×24 garage costs, but it’s worth it. Without framing, your 24×24 garage will lack the structural integrity required to give you peace of mind and keep your car safe.

Drywall

Drywall is every bit as important as insulation in your 24×24 garage, and it adds to construction costs. Installing drywall in a 24×24 garage can cost between $1,400 and $5,000 after material and labor costs are added up. Drywall can be more costly in a garage than inside of the house because they use thicker, more resilient material.

Because of that, you should expect your drywall to cost 50% more in a garage than in the house. Labor and materials costs are generally added up together, but contractors vary in their price points. It’s wise to choose heat and fire-resistant drywall for your garage, even it is more expensive.

Foundation

The foundation is just as key to supporting your garage as the concrete slab is, and it can be expensive. On average, a 24×24 garage’s foundation costs $5,000, but it can cost up to $7,000 or more. On the low end, the foundation for a 24×24 garage costs $2,500-$3,000 depending on how labor-intensive it is.

Pouring a 24×24 garage’s foundation generally only takes one day, and that helps with labor costs. The concrete slab goes over the foundation and works to provide more structural support for the garage. A healthy garage has a concrete slab that is every bit as solid as the foundation.

Garage Door

A garage is not complete without a garage door, and that factors into your total cost of construction. Garage doors for a 24×24 garage cost between $600 and $4,000 depending on whether it’s a single or double garage. With a garage as big as 24×24, you’ll often need a double garage door which costs roughly $750-$4,000 in general.

Of course, garage doors need to be properly wired, and that factors into the total cost as well. Generally, you can expect to spend an average of $7 per linear foot on having your garage door wired. Even having the opener itself wired and synced to the door or doors can cost up to $500 for residential garages.

If you want your garage door to open and close quietly, you should consider a belt-driven opener. However, if noise is not going to be a problem for you, then a standard chain-driven garage opener will do fine. Luckily, garage openers last up to 15 years, so you won’t have to worry about replacing them for quite a while.

Labor

Construction and home additions are often accompanied by expensive labor costs, and that’s true for garages as well. Your total construction costs will likely be made up by at least 60% in labor costs, but that varies based on contractors. Homeowners spend an average of $35 per square foot to their contractors in labor costs for garage construction.

With that said, you should be prepared to spend up to $50 or more per square foot for labor. Labor costs are an element of construction that is unavoidable unless you take the task on yourself. However, when it comes to garages, it’s worth spending the extra money to bring experts in to do the job professionally.

Garage With Apartment

Building a 24×24 garage with an apartment over it is an exciting, albeit expensive, prospect as a homeowner. You will spend an average of $460 per square foot to build an apartment into your 24×24 garage. It could cost as little as $120 per square foot, but that’s rare as electrical, carpentry, and plumbing costs come into play.

Generally, you won’t spend less than $65,000 to put an apartment in your 24×24 garage. That is on the low end, as you could spend close to $300,000 depending on the size, materials, and number of plumbing fixtures. A garage apartment adds value to your home, however, so it may be well worth the exorbitant cost when it comes time to sell the house.

Expand A Garage

If you already have a sizable garage and want to expand it to be 24×24, it won’t be as costly. With that said, material and construction costs will still come into play. Most homeowners spend an average of $55 per square foot to expand their garage for material costs.

You will still be required to obtain a permit to expand your garage, and it’ll cost a minimum of $200. Be prepared to also take on the cost of an additional garage door, depending on how much larger the garage will be. Expanding your garage to be 24×24 is worth the cost as it adds space, value, and resale appeal to your home.

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What Did We Learn?

It can cost as much as $20,000-$53,000 to build a 24×24 garage based on materials and labor. Labor can make up at least 60% of your construction costs, so it’s wise to check with multiple contractors. Garage doors alone can cost up to $4,000, and the opener can cost as much as $7 per linear foot.

Your foundation can cost up to $5,000, and the equally important concrete slab will start at $3,400. If you want to expand a garage to be 24×24, you’ll spend at least $55 per square foot. Adding large expansions, such as an apartment, will cost a minimum of $460 per square foot.

Up to $5,000 of your total cost will come from drywall, and insulation may cost you $900-$3,000. All in all, a 24×24 garage is well worth it as it can hold 2-3 cars comfortably. Don’t let the cost scare you away as a garage this big can and will add value to your home.

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Nick Durante
Nick Durante

Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.

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