Cost of garage?

[FastCarFan]

My wife & I are thinking seriously of downsizing to a smaller home in a year or so, when my 2nd child goes off to college. We have identified a neighborhood that we like. The problem is, most of the homes there just have 2-car garages.

So, when we start to look at homes I will only consider homes where I could add a garage for my Porsche. It could be an addition to the attached 2-car garage or, more likely, a separate, stand-alone garage.

And while I only really need a 1-car auxiliary garage, it seems like it would make sense to build a 2-car garage if I have the space & if I can afford it. Who knows -- another sports car could follow me home some day! Or I could rent out a slot to a friend who needs winter storage for his car.

My question concerns cost. I have no idea what a nice auxiliary garage would cost. Or what the differential is for a 2-car over a 1-car. I do not need a showplace garage, but I do want it to be aesthetically pleasing -- something that looks nice in the neighborhood & with the home.

And I don't need a lift or any extras -- I don't do much work on my car myself.

What do you think such a garage would cost? A 1-car vs. a 2-car? I realize that building costs vary greatly throughout the country, but I am only looking for a ball-park estimate. I just want to factor an approximate cost into the housing equation.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

[Dueller]

Unfinished on the inside...probably $45-55/sq ft. Problem is you likely will have a hard time finding a licensed, insured builder to take on such a small job.

[HardDrive]

Make sure you check the codes and neighborhood restrictions for having additional buildings. Some developments are locked down pretty well.

[idontknow]

Anywhere between 8k to 45k.

Of course that's here in Fla.

[MBAtarga]

Depends much on the design/quality of the addition. I've gotten several quotes for a 2 car garage to be placed at the end of the driveway - our house 2 car garage is side entry. I wanted at least the front to be partial brick (help it to match the house), with the sides/back hardiplank. The quotes ranged from a low of $27k to a high of $54k (!). The $54k contractor lives in the neighorhood - said anyone quoting by the sq ft is a moron - no way can it be built with quality for $27k. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but I'd take the contractor with the middle quote - $32k.

[TerryH]

25x20 stucco unfinished detached, 16x7 double door, sliding window, and side door was $23,150 in 2004. Electrical was minimal, I added much of it later. Pretty much no frills.

The contractor was a neighbor, but I don't think he cut me a great deal. I had similar quotes. Truth is I don't care for the guy. He's full of himself to the point of being annoying.

Driveway and surrounding concrete extra...

[rfuerst911sc]

What about a steel building? I know it may not have the " look " some people like but price wise I think they are attractive. Have the concrete slab poured and then build the "kit". Just a thought.

[strupgolf]

Here in Indiana, about 15- 25K will get you all you're looking for. Even less if you do the electrical, insulation, etc.

[cstreit]

The quotes from the California guys are out of whack. Even in Chicagoland our prices ranges from $17-$25 per square foot on average.

My shop had 10 foot ceilings, 6" 6bag slab saw-cut, unfinished interior, 3 windows and a nice insulated door for $22/sqft.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm working on extending my existing large 2 car by 12 feet to make it deep enough for 4 cars stacked and high enough at the new end for a lift. I'm also adding some interior space to the house at the same time.

I was told by the architect to budget $75/square foot for the garage space, insulated, dry walled, electrical, etc. so pretty "finished". In my experience, remodeling costs are higher than if I was doing a stand alone building from scratch.

I'm going to get the plans done this winter and break ground in the spring.

[LakeCleElum]

I built a detached garage 36' X 28' for under $8,000 in 1994. Did everything myself except the concrete.

I'm just finishing building my retirement home and most builders today will estimate garage construction at one half the square foot rate they quote for living space.......So, if it's $140 sq. ft. to build a house in your area, figure $70 for a garage if hiring a contractor.....

[Porsche-O-Phile]

You can never, ever have too much garage space.

[Dantilla]

Doubling the size will not double the cost. Two-car minimum.

The drawing, engineering, and permit process will be the same for both one and two car garages. Same goes for much of construction. The labor involved in a concrete slab does not change much as it gets bigger. You just have to pay for more comcrete. Those same savings carry on through the entire project. A one-car garage will be far more expensive per foot than a two car.

[David]

I extended my 2 car garage back another 22 ft for about $30/sq ft doing everything myself except the slab and relocating my breaker box. I think I got a good deal on the slab at $5/sq ft. This was about 7 years ago.

[FastCarFan]

Thanks guys. I imagine "project scope" is a big danger with a new garage. "Let's make it deeper & wider to give us more space...A shed on the back for the lawn mower, bikes, etc. would be nice...A couple of windows would be great...Built in storage wouldn't cost much more...How about a bathroom...Well, if we are doing plumbing for a bathroom, we might as well put in a small kitchen...."

I will be very careful. Thanks again.

Happy Thanksgiving!