PROJECT SUMMARY
Garage
Footprint24 × 24 ft · 576 sq ft
- Walls
- 9 ft · studs @ 16" OC
- Roof
- 13 trusses · 4:12
- Slab
- 4" · 8.9 cu yd
- Siding
- LP SmartSide
- Doors
- 1 overhead + service
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Build time
- 44–73 days
- Estimated materials
- $8,254–$11,167
Garage Cost & Materials Calculator
Framing, sheathing and slab quantities for a detached garage.
Configure
Garage
Advanced optionsframing, footings, finishing…
Estimates are planning aids, not an engineered design. Confirm spans, footings and setbacks against your local code and permit before buying.
⚠ A detached garage virtually always requires a permit, engineered (stamped) trusses, and footing/foundation inspections. Use this as a planning and budgeting takeoff — your building department sets the real requirements.
Cost breakdown
Material only · national-average rates| Lumber & Decking | $1,949–$2,637 |
| Concrete & Footings | $1,809–$2,448 |
| Siding & Trim | $1,360–$1,840 |
| Roofing | $1,304–$1,764 |
| Doors & Windows | $1,114–$1,507 |
| Fasteners & Hardware | $257–$347 |
| Soil & Fill | $241–$327 |
| Membrane & Fabric | $136–$184 |
| Connectors & Brackets | $84–$114 |
| Total | $8,254–$11,167 |
Excludes tools, delivery, tax and permit fees. Labor not included — this is a DIY materials estimate.
Materials
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Ready-mix concrete (delivered)4" slab with thickened edge | 8.9 × cu yd |
| Rebar — #4 grid + perimeter~18" grid | 44 × 20 ft |
| Gravel base4" compacted sub-base | 7.1 × cu yd |
| Vapor barrier (6 mil poly) | 2 × roll |
| Form & stake lumber — 2×6edge forms + stakes | 41 × 12 ft |
| Wall studs — 2×4 (9 ft)16" OC + corners & openings | 96 × 9 ft |
| Plates — 2×4 (PT bottom + double top) | 36 × 8 ft |
| Garage-door headers — built-up 2×12 / LVL3-ply over each 9 ft opening | 3 × 12 ft |
| Siding — LP SmartSidestructural siding | 28 × 4×8 sheet |
| Roof trusses — 24 ft span4:12 · engineered, 24" OC | 13 × ea |
| Roof sheathing — 7/16 OSB | 23 × 4×8 sheet |
| Roofing underlayment | 3 × roll |
| Asphalt shingles≈ 7.2 squares | 22 × bundles |
| Drip edge | 10 × 10 ft |
| Ridge cap shingles24 lin ft ridge | 2 × bundle |
| Fascia — 2×6 | 9 × 12 ft |
| Soffit panels (vented) | 12 × 12 ft |
| Overhead garage door (9×7, w/ track)spring + track kit included | 1 × ea |
| Service door — pre-hung steel | 1 × ea |
| Windows | 1 × ea |
Hardware & fasteners
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Anchor bolts (sill)J-bolts ≤ 6 ft, 12" from corners | 24 × ea |
| Framing nails | 2 × boxes |
| Hurricane / truss ties | 26 × ea |
| Exterior screws (siding/soffit) | 33 × lb |
| Roofing nails | 2 × 5 lb box |
Shopping list
Grouped by store sectionLumber & Decking
- 41× 12 ftForm & stake lumber — 2×6 — edge forms + stakesFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 96× 9 ftWall studs — 2×4 (9 ft) — 16" OC + corners & openingsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 36× 8 ftPlates — 2×4 (PT bottom + double top)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 3× 12 ftGarage-door headers — built-up 2×12 / LVL — 3-ply over each 9 ft openingFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 13× eaRoof trusses — 24 ft span — 4:12 · engineered, 24" OCFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Siding & Trim
- 28× 4×8 sheetSiding — LP SmartSide — structural sidingFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 9× 12 ftFascia — 2×6FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 12× 12 ftSoffit panels (vented)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Roofing
- 23× 4×8 sheetRoof sheathing — 7/16 OSBFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 3× rollRoofing underlaymentFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 22× bundlesAsphalt shingles — ≈ 7.2 squaresFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 10× 10 ftDrip edgeFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 2× bundleRidge cap shingles — 24 lin ft ridgeFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Doors & Windows
- 1× eaOverhead garage door (9×7, w/ track) — spring + track kit includedFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 1× eaService door — pre-hung steelFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 1× eaWindowsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Concrete & Footings
- 8.9× cu ydReady-mix concrete (delivered) — 4" slab with thickened edgeFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 44× 20 ftRebar — #4 grid + perimeter — ~18" gridFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Connectors & Brackets
- 24× eaAnchor bolts (sill) — J-bolts ≤ 6 ft, 12" from cornersFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 26× eaHurricane / truss tiesFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Fasteners & Hardware
- 2× boxesFraming nailsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 33× lbExterior screws (siding/soffit)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 2× 5 lb boxRoofing nailsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Membrane & Fabric
- 2× rollVapor barrier (6 mil poly)FindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Soil & Fill
- 7.1× cu ydGravel base — 4" compacted sub-baseFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Tools
✓ required · ○ helpful- Concrete tools — screed, bull float, edger, groover — or sub out the pourFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Plate compactor (rental) — the gravel baseFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Circular saw + framing nailerFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Cordless drill / impact driverFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Rotary hammer — if anchoring to cured slabFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Tape, chalk line, framing & speed squareFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- 4 ft & 2 ft levelsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Scaffolding or tall ladders — wall & roof heightFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Truss-lift or extra hands — setting trusses safelyFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
- Roofing knife & tin snipsFindHome DepotLowe'sAmazonWalmart
Project notes
- Estimates are a planning and budgeting aid, not engineered drawings. A garage needs a permit, a designed foundation, and stamped trusses almost everywhere — confirm everything with your building department first.
- The slab is figured at 4" over 4" of compacted base with a thickened edge. Order ready-mix for a pour this size and have enough hands (or a finishing crew) ready before the truck arrives.
- Stand and brace the walls plumb and straight, then set trusses at 24" on-center with temporary and permanent bracing — truss bracing is what keeps the roof from racking during the build.
- Dry-in the roof (underlayment + drip edge) the day you sheathe it, and flash every opening. Garage-door and service-door rough openings should match the manufacturer's spec exactly.
About this planner
How the Garage Builder works
Give the Garage Builder a footprint, wall height and door count and it produces a full takeoff for a detached, slab-on-grade garage: the concrete and rebar, wall framing and plates, garage-door headers, sheathing and siding, engineered roof trusses, roofing, the overhead and service doors, plus every fastener and connector — with tools, a cost range and a build time.
Choose one to four overhead doors, 8–10 ft walls, gable pitch and siding, and the materials list scales with the structure. Open advanced options for slab thickness, gravel base, a service door, windows and waste. This is a budgeting takeoff — a garage needs a permit and engineered components.
Step by step
How to build a garage
A high-level walkthrough of the build. Pair it with your plan above and always confirm spans, footings and setbacks against your local code.
- 1
Permit and site prep
Pull the permit with your foundation and stamped truss drawings, call 811, then strip topsoil and rough-grade the pad. Everything downstream assumes a permitted, properly located footprint.
- 2
Base and forms
Lay and compact the gravel base in lifts with a plate compactor, set the perimeter forms dead level and square (check the diagonals), and place the rebar grid on chairs over the vapor barrier.
- 3
Pour and finish the slab
Pour the ready-mix, screed it to the forms, bull-float, then edge, groove control joints, and trowel to the finish you want. Set the anchor bolts in the wet edge before it sets up.
- 4
Frame the walls
Build each wall flat on the slab — studs, the big garage-door headers, and openings — then stand it, anchor the PT bottom plate to the bolts, and brace it plumb. Tie the walls together with a double top plate.
- 5
Set the trusses
Lift the trusses up, set the gable ends first, then fill in at 24 inches on-center. Add the temporary and permanent bracing the truss drawings call for, and tie every truss to the plate with a hurricane tie.
- 6
Sheathe and dry-in the roof
Sheathe the trusses, run drip edge and underlayment, and shingle from the eave up. Add fascia and vented soffit so the roof breathes.
- 7
Side and install doors
Sheathe or wrap and side the walls, set the overhead door track and door per the manufacturer's instructions, and hang the service door and windows. Keep rough openings exactly to spec.
- 8
Trim, seal and inspect
Add corner trim, caulk and flash the openings, and call for your framing and final inspections. Tackle electrical under its own permit once the shell passes.
Equip the job
Recommended gear for this build
Hand-picked categories that match the shopping list above. Links open a current selection so you can compare brands and prices.
Connectors & BracketsGalvanized hurricane / truss tiesRequired to tie trusses to the top plate against uplift — inspectors look for them.
$1–2 ea
Connectors & BracketsAnchor bolt / J-bolt setTies the sill plate to the slab; set them while the concrete is wet.
$2–4 ea
Doors & WindowsSectional overhead garage door kitInsulated steel door with track and springs — the single biggest line item.
$700–1,400
Membrane & Fabric6 mil vapor barrier (poly)Goes under the slab to stop ground moisture wicking up through the concrete.
$60–100/roll
ToolsPlate compactor (rental)Compacts the gravel base so the slab doesn't settle and crack later.
$60–90/day
Keep planning
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Answers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to build a detached garage?
Almost always, yes. Garages are large permanent structures, so building departments require a permit, a designed foundation, and stamped (engineered) roof trusses, with inspections at the footing, framing and final stages. Adding electrical means an electrical permit too. Treat this planner as a budgeting takeoff and confirm requirements before you build.
How thick should the garage slab be?
A 4-inch slab over compacted gravel handles cars and light trucks for most home garages. Go to 5–6 inches, with a thickened edge and rebar, if you'll park heavy trucks, an RV, or use a lift. The planner figures concrete in cubic yards with a thickened edge so you can order ready-mix — order a touch extra rather than run short mid-pour.
Should I use trusses or stick-frame the roof?
Engineered trusses are faster, stronger and usually required for a clear-span garage roof, and they arrive ready to set at 24 inches on-center. The planner counts trusses by your depth and sizes the rest of the roof from your pitch. Order them from a truss supplier with stamped drawings sized for your span and local snow load.
Can one person build a garage?
Parts of it, but not safely all of it. The slab pour and finishing is time-critical, standing tall walls and especially setting trusses need multiple people or equipment, and roof work is at height. Budget for a small crew or sub out the pour and the roof. The build-time estimate assumes a three-person crew.