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How Long Does It Take to Build a Garage?
Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was your garage
Photo: imaginima / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: imaginima / E+ / Getty Images
Highlights
A building permit for your garage construction could take a few weeks.
Allow time for the concrete to cure before you proceed with the building project.
Pre-fabricated garages can take as little as three weeks to complete.
Attached multi-car garages take the longest—between 12 and 24 weeks to complete
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You've got your vision in place and are ready to build the garage of your dreams. But exactly how long does it take to build a garage? Your garage's size and type play the most significant role in your timeline. From start to finish, a simple detached one-car garage will take at least six weeks. An attached two-car garage takes about 10 weeks, while an attached multi-car garage with additional living space could potentially take up to nine months. But there are other factors you'll want to consider to make sure construction wraps up on time.
Planning and Preparation
Permitting rules vary by state and municipality, but you’ll likely need a building permit and, in certain cases, a zoning permit before you can start your garage construction.
Getting a permit can take as little as a few days or up to four weeks, depending on how busy your local permitting office is, so factor that into your timeline. If you have a homeowners association (HOA), you'll also need their go-ahead before you begin work, which could take a week or more.
Once the permits are in place, you can start designing and laying out the garage. You should wait until you have the permit to start design work, as you may need to adjust plans based on what your municipality or HOA allows. You can expect the design process to take a few days to two weeks.
Building the Garage
Many garages are built on top of a concrete slab foundation. The first step in the construction process will be laying the foundation, which should take a few days. How long the concrete needs to cure varies based on humidity and other weather conditions, but it's best to allow at least two weeks.
Once the concrete foundation is fully cured, construction of the garage's structure can begin. The size and complexity of the garage's design will determine how long the building process takes. It'll take less time to build a simplified structure or work with a pre-fab kit. Here's a look at how long it takes to build a garage based on its size and whether it's attached or detached.
| Garage Size and Type | Construction Time (Weeks) |
|---|---|
| Pre-fabricated | 1–3 |
| Detached one-car | 5–7 |
| Detached two-car | 6–8 |
| Detached multi-car | 8–16 |
| Attached one-car | 8–12 |
| Attached two-car | 10–16 |
| Attached multi-car | 12–24+ |
The Finishing Touches
Photo: yunava1 / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Allow at least one more week to put all the final details onto the garage, such as:
Installing the electrical system
Installing the door
Adding landscaping around the perimeter
Putting in windows and flooring
Adding shelving and storage areas
Installing gutters
What Affects the Timeline?
Some factors beyond your control can impact your building timeline. These include:
Weather: While a local garage building company may be able to work in inclement weather conditions, certain factors can delay your project. For example, concrete may need longer to cure when it's very humid.
Local government: How long it takes to get a permit depends on how quickly your local permitting office moves and the demand for permits in your area. When there are many building projects going on, it may take longer for the permitting department to review and approve your application.
Material shortages: Supply and demand may also affect your garage project timeline. If certain materials, such as lumber, are in short supply, you may need to wait longer before your project is completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the primary purpose of a garage may be to create a secure, weatherproof space to park your vehicles, there are other reasons to consider building one. A garage can increase your home’s value, for one thing.
Having a garage also gives you a bit of extra storage and possibly living space. You can build a two-story garage and use the upper area as a rec room or lounge space. If you finish the second floor of the garage, you may even be able to rent it out.
If you're handy, you may want to take on building a garage as a do-it-yourself project. However, whether it's a good idea to build a garage on your own or not depends on the type of structure you want to build and local permitting laws. If you want to work with a pre-fab structure, you may be able to DIY. However, if laying a foundation is involved, you're better off working with a professional builder.
In most cases, it’s cheaper to build a garage, but it depends on how much of the labor you do yourself. If you can do most of it yourself, it tends to be cheaper than buying a prefab garage. But if you hire a contractor to build it, it’ll likely end up more expensive than a prefab garage.
The average cost to build a garage is $28,670 , but a lot of variables affect the final price, including the cost of labor in your area, the size of the garage, and the type of structure you build. Whether the garage is attached or detached also affects the cost. A standalone detached garage costs more than a garage that is attached to your home.
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