Should I Build a Detached Garage?
If you’re remodeling your home, adding to it, or constructing a new residence, “Should I build a detached garage?” may be among the most pressing questions. Depending on your needs, a detached garage can have many advantages over an attached one. But there can also be downsides. We’ll explore both and the potential cost of building a detached unit.
Benefits of a Detached Garage
Attaching a garage structure to the home became a widespread phenomenon by the late 1940s. By the 2000s, about 80% of all homes had attached garages.1 But more and more homeowners are rediscovering the beauty and convenience of having a detached garage and seeing benefits such as:
Design Flexibility
The façade of most homes, especially in suburban areas, is dominated by the garage. Building a detached garage can avoid overwhelming a small house. It can also be arranged any way you like. The garage can be set back, designed like its own little house, or placed at an angle. You can even hide it somewhere in the backyard.
As far as design options, there’s much to consider. You can choose different styles of doors and windows. There’s practically a limitless choice of colors and sizes. Insulation, ventilation, electricity, lighting, plumbing, and other amenities can be added if necessary.
Free Up Space
Not only does a detached garage give you more room for living and vehicle/tool storage. It also frees up room outside your home. A usable area can be created that can accommodate a deck or patio. Perhaps you might want to expand your landscaping, plant a garden, add a pool or pond, or install a gazebo or pergola to boost the charm of your outdoor space.
Safety and Security
If you store fuel, oil, paints, cleaners, insecticides, weed killers, and other flammable and/or chemical-based products in the garage, these can emit fumes that can reach living areas. Storing these items in a separate building eliminates such risks.
In addition, access points to your home are limited. Once an intruder finds their way into an attached garage, they can break into or simply step through an unlocked interior door. With a detached garage, even if the door is left unlocked, the security of your home isn’t compromised.
Less Noise
Sounds from a detached garage won’t disrupt people in the house, whether a car is leaving or entering, you’re operating power tools, or playing an instrument. Some people use a detached garage as a getaway. In that case, they’re cut off from noise from the house.
Privacy
Not everyone uses a garage to store cars and tools. If you choose to use it as a man cave or retreat for kids to play, there’s a high degree of privacy. You can use a detached garage to practice playing instruments. Or, you can use it for woodworking or other projects that require power tools. It’s also an ideal space for a home office away from home where you can get work done without being interrupted.
Disadvantages of a Detached Garage
Detached garages aren’t as convenient for everybody. Installing one can be a burden if:
- Winter in your area is harsh and walking to the unit requires bundling up and being uncomfortable.
- You forget a tool or other item you need and must walk back to the house to get it.
- There’s limited yard space and you enjoy having an open area for kids and pets.
- Building an entirely new structure is more work than you bargained for.
- The cost of installing/using extra utilities will strain your budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Build?
When many homeowners ask, “Should I build a detached garage?” the first consideration is often cost. HomeAdvisor puts the typical price range in 2022 at anywhere from $19,200 to $45,000. However, a 3-car detached garage can cost up to $65,700 to build, but you could spend as little as $12,600 for a 1-car, 12- x 24-foot unit. On average, a detached garage costs from $40 to $70 per square foot. Materials account for half the total cost and labor accounts for the other half. Generally, you’ll spend up to 15% more to build a detached unit than an attached garage.
The cost factors during the project include building a concrete foundation, hiring an electrician, and installing siding and roofing. Insulation, painting, and installing a driveway add to the cost too. The longer a driveway, the more you’ll spend for it. Then the cost of garage door installation is a factor, so there’s more to think about than initial construction.
Contact Mesa Garage Doors
We offer numerous collections and styles of garage doors. These include our steel frame Bronze Series, insulated Gold Series, and three-layer, low-profile Platinum Series as well as our carriage house, modern aluminum, and wood doors. Request a new door estimate or book an appointment online. For immediate assistance, call us at < href="tel:7148445741">714-844-5741 today.
