Cost to Build a Garage in Washington, D.C. [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $24,975 - $53,090

The cost to build a garage in Washington, D.C., is $37,927 on average but ranges between $24,975 and $53,090 depending on its size. 

How we get this data
forward view of yellow and brick house with double and single garage and concrete driveway
Patricia Marroquin / Moment / Getty Images
forward view of yellow and brick house with double and single garage and concrete driveway
Patricia Marroquin / Moment / Getty Images
Cost Insights
  • Adding a garage to your Washington, D.C., home adds valuable storage space and protects your vehicles from damage.

  • A garage offers an ROI of 60% to 85% and can make your home easier to sell.

  • Hire a qualified Washington, D.C., garage builder to ensure your new garage is code-compliant and structurally sound.

  • Garage building permit fees start at $71.50 and increase based on the project’s cost and scope. 

A garage can be a valuable addition to your Washington, D.C., home, especially with the city’s relatively small average lot size and lack of parking. Building a garage in D.C. costs $37,927 on average, but it can range from $24,975 to $53,090. Garage size and type are the biggest contributing cost factors, but materials and add-ons can also affect how much you’ll pay.

Garage Building Cost Factors 

The cost to build a garage in Washington, D.C., depends on various factors, including garage size and type, material costs, labor costs, and more. Take a look at some of the things that contribute to your total project cost.

Size

You'll pay about $65 per square foot on average between labor and materials when working with a professional. However, you'll find prices as low as $39 per square foot for simple, attached garages and up to $155 per square foot for detached, high-end garages with all the bells and whistles.

Below, we've listed the average cost to build a garage by size:

Garage Size (Sq. Ft.)Average Cost
12x20$9,300–$37,150
18x20 $13,950–$55,725
20x20 $15,500–$61,925
20x22 $17,025–$68,100
22x22 $18,700–$74,950
32x22 $27,225–$109,000
32x34 $29,675–$118,950

Materials

The materials you use to build your garage will affect how much you’ll pay. A stick-built garage that matches your home’s aesthetics will cost the most, with durable materials like brick and cinderblock close behind. A prefab pole barn garage is the most cost-effective, but it will be less durable than other options.

Garage MaterialAverage Cost (per Sq. Ft.)ProsCons
Brick$30–$45Extremely durableHigh initial cost
Brick-veneered$5–$30Brick look with lower costSusceptible to leaks
Cinderblock$30–$65Fire resistantProne to cracking
Metal$15–$35Resistant to pests, fire, and rotNoisy during rain or hail
Stick-built$40–$70Match home’s aestheticsHigher cost
Prefab pole barn$11–$40Fast installationLess durable

Type

4 common garage types compared visually, including attached, detached, built-in, and multi-car
Joe Hendrickson / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, PC Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Thomas Northcut / The Image Bank / Getty Images, jhorrocks / E+ / Getty Images

The type of garage also contributes to the total cost. One-car garage sizes and garage extensions will cost less than multi-car garages or a full new build, and a detached garage costs more than an attached one, since you’ll need to build all four walls.

Type of GarageCost to Build
One-car$13,550–$34,825
Two-car$19,350–$51,600
Three-car$36,125–$73,525
Attached$13,925–$84,050
Detached$18,575–$98,050

Permits

You’ll need to obtain a permit to build a garage in Washington, D.C., before beginning construction. Garage permit fees start at $71.50 and may cost more based on the scope and cost of the project. Failure to obtain a permit can result in citations, penalty fees, and even having to remove the unpermitted work, so be sure you have all necessary permits secured before starting work. 

Accessibility

If you plan on making your garage more accessible, you may need to hire a local ramp installation pro to install a ramp over the concrete foundation. This may require extra landscaping renovations.

Add-Ons

A garage is more than just four walls, and everything you add will affect your project cost. Common add-ons include automatic doors, windows, and exterior doors, and other customizations like storage, security features, and living space will all add to the total cost.

Type of Add-OnAverage Cost
Windows$300–$2,500
Automatic door$750–$5,000
Exterior door$150–$1,400
Insulation$1,900–$7,700
Storage$500–$2,200
Security$300–$2,000
Living space$125–$250 per sq. ft.

Garage Builder Costs

The cost to hire a garage builder in Washington, D.C., will account for 50% to 70% of your total project cost. An experienced, qualified garage builder is worth the cost—they’ll ensure your garage is built right, answer all your questions about building a garage, pull the proper permits, and build you the exact garage you’re looking for.

Additional Pros to Consider Hiring

Depending on the specifics of your garage, you may need to bring in some additional pros. Hiring a structural engineer to draw up or review plans can cost $200 to $1,500 if your builder doesn’t have an in-house engineer.

If you’re finishing your garage walls, a drywall installer will cost $1 to $2.10 per square foot in labor plus the cost of materials. You’ll also need an electrician to run wiring for your automatic door, lights, and outlets, which will cost an average of $50 to $100 an hour.

Angi Tip

Installing a garage door without prior experience can be extremely challenging and potentially dangerous. It's highly recommended to contact a pro if you need a garage door installed.

Ryan Noonan
Content Editor, Angi

Does Building a Garage Increase Home Value?

Building a garage can increase your home’s value and provide a return on investment (ROI) of 60% to 85%. How much value a garage adds depends on the specifics of the garage—a finished garage with living space will have the highest ROI, and a garage in an area of the city with limited parking will make your home stand out when it comes time to sell.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

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