Are you looking to add value to your property by building a new garage?
A garage provides convenient storage space, protects assets, and reduces energy bills. So, if your home does not have this important accessory, you might want to build one.
Cinder blocks (concrete blocks) are perhaps the most popular building material for garage construction. They are easy to work with, durable, and fire-resistant, making them an ideal choice for several construction projects. But how much will a cinder block garage cost you?
The cost of the cinder block garage will depend on many factors, including location, materials used, and additional features. But more on that later.
Here, we will break down the cost of a cinder block garage and provide you with estimates of what you can expect to pay.
Average Cost of Building a Cinder Block Garage
The national average cost of constructing a garage from cinder blocks ranges from $35 – $55 per square foot. This price covers the cinderblock walls and installations.
Therefore, expect to pay around $10,000 to $15,000 for a single-car garage. For a two-car garage, homeowners can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000.
But remember, these are just estimates. The actual cost of the cinder block garage will depend on your project and preferences. For instance, if you construct a garage in an urban area with high material and labor costs, the price will be higher.
Furthermore, if you opt for quality materials or include add-ons and finishes, the cost will rise significantly. The same applies if you hire a professional contractor.
What’s Your Garage Size?
Before building a new cinder block garage, you must determine its size. What do you want to use your garage for? Is it for your car alone, for storage, or would you like to use it as a workshop?
What type of car do you or your family drive? If the space is for a compact car, a small garage is your best option. However, if you lean towards SUVs or large tracks, a larger one will suit you best.
Like garages constructed from bricks, cinder block garages are priced per square foot (sq. ft). Usually, construction companies can charge around $35 to $70/sq. ft for a standard garage. That’s an average cost of $53/sq.ft.
Therefore, a 240–380 sq. ft garage, perfect for a single car, can cost between $12,720 to $20,140. If you desire a workshop/storage space, a 320 -530 sq. ft garage will meet your needs. This garage can cost anywhere from $16,960 to $28,090.
As you can see, the construction cost of cinder blocks increases with the garage capacity or size. So, if you plan to build an RV garage from cinder blocks, expect to spend around $52,000 to $70,000.
Factors To Consider When Determining the Cost of a Cinder Block Garage
As mentioned earlier, the cost of building a cinder block garage will depend on several factors. The most common factors include:
1. Attached vs. Detached Cinder Block Garages
An attached garage is ideal for homeowners with lots of space around their homes. These garages cost less than detached garages since they share a wall with the house. That means you don’t erect an entirely new building from the ground up.
An attached garage costs between $10,800 to $28,500, including the material and labor costs.
If you don’t have enough space around the house or between your house and the neighbors, you can build a detached garage in your backyard. The garage can cost around $19,300 and $44,000.
But before building the garage on your property, check with your local municipality or homeowners’ association.
2. Location
The cost of materials and labor tends to be high in cities compared to small towns or rural areas. We can attribute this to the high cost of living and higher demand for construction services in metropolitan areas.
The cost of the cinder blocks might also vary depending on the region, as the cost of building materials varies based on supply and demand.
In addition, some areas experience extremely cold temperatures during winter, which calls for a complex foundation and insulation of the garage to protect it from freezing. Because of this, homeowners in such regions might pay more for material and labor than those in temperate regions.
Let’s not forget the topography of an area. If you’re constructing your cinder block garage on a steep slope or area with unstable soil, the building cost may increase because of additional engineering and labor needed.
Besides, local zoning laws, building codes, and other regulations can influence the project’s cost. For instance, if a region has strict building codes that require certain permits or construction techniques, the overall cost of the project might increase drastically.
3. Construction Materials
The cost of construction materials also affects the overall cost of the garage. Below, we’ve highlighted several materials crucial for the success of your project.
- Framing Material
Unlike wood, cinder blocks make an excellent frame for your garage. They are a cheap option that can withstand the element and test of time. They’re also low maintenance, fire resistant, strong, versatile, and can support interior walls of any configuration.
Cinder block walls cost between $5 and $13 per square foot, depending on the quality of the type and quality of the cinder block. This cost covers the blocks, plus the mortar and structural reinforcement. Contractors charge from $10 to $17 per square foot for installation.
The cost of the cinder block wall for your garage equals the length of the garage wall (from the perimeter of your foundation) multiplied by its height (normal garages have a height of 9 to 10 inches).
- Siding Material
Select a siding material that complements or matches your home. To save on building costs, you can choose aluminum or vinyl siding.
People living in areas prone to storms and other weather elements that can damage the roof should invest in siding made from durable materials, like stones, bricks, or stucco. Siding can cost between $2 to $27, depending on the material.
- Garage Door
When shopping for a garage door, select a door that’s made from durable materials like fiberglass and steel. Wood is a great option for those who want to accentuate their home’s beauty.
But if you want to save money, shop for affordable doors made from aluminum or vinyl. These doors might cost anywhere from $655 to $1,350.
Since you pay for each door separately, the more door your garage needs, the more money you will have to spend. That means an individual building a three-car garage will have to budget for three doors, which can cost between $900 and $7,500.
Doors with custom finish, insulation, and high-end techs like garage door openers or Bluetooth integration will also cost more.
- Garage Foundation
Those living in areas prone to freezing temperatures will need to invest in complex foundation styles to protect the garage from frost. Such styles include a monolithic or a block foundation.
Foundation consideration also comes to mind if you’re building your garage on topsoil, which shifts a lot. Here, you need a stable and durable foundation that can withstand such shifts.
If you’re building an attached garage, hire a concrete masonry unit to establish a concrete block foundation for your garage. A gravel foundation can also come in handy if you want to save money. But it only works for a small detached garage.
- Garage Roofing
As for garage roofing, most garages use simple asphalt shingles, which cost from $2 to $5. However, there are many roofing options you can choose from to match your home aesthetics. The most popular roofing materials include:
- Modified bitumen
- Cedar (Come as shingles, boards, or shakes)
- Metal (Such as aluminum, lead, stainless steel, tin, or corrugated metal)
- Tile
- Clay
- Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO)
4. Other Cost Considerations
- Insulation: Garage insulation helps homeowners save money because it maintains the best temperature, even when it’s freezing outside.
- Windows and Skylights: Individuals who want their garages to serve as workspaces will benefit from installing windows and skylights. These allow natural light into the garage, making the space feel more comfortable. The cost of the windows and skylights will vary depending on the style and material selected.
- Drywall: If you plan to install wall panels or paint your garage, a base layer of drywall will come in handy. Furthermore, most building codes require homeowners to install drywall in their garages to prevent fire.
- Electrical Work: Electrical components, like light fixtures, HVAC units (for garages that act as workshops), and washers might cost about $1,200 to $6,000 based on the quality of the components. These estimates don’t include installation costs.
- Permits: In most states and cities, you must get a building permit to build a garage. So, check with your local authorities which construction permits you might require.
Conclusion
Overall, the cost of building a cinder block garage will depend on your location, desired garage size, materials used, and additional features.
On average, expect to spend approximately $10,000 to $15,000 to build a single-car cinder block garage. A two-car garage will cost you between $20,000 and $30,000. These prices represent the national averages and are based on standard cinder blocks and simple roof designs.
However, the construction might cost you more money based on your location or needs. Therefore, it’s wise to get detailed estimates or quotes from different contractors or subcontractors in your local area. This way, you can identify an accurate cost of establishing a cinder block garage.
That is all for today. If you have questions, leave us a message in the comment section!
