2026 EDITION
The Detached Garage Builder’s Kit
Plan, budget and build your detached garage with confidence, and avoid the mistakes that cost owners thousands.
- 16-page build guide with 2026 cost data
- Budget and project tracker that scales to your garage
- Printable checklist, contractor kit and design worksheets
Get the Kit for $33
$33one-time, instant download
6 files: 5 PDFs and an Excel spreadsheet. Works with Excel, Google Sheets and Numbers.
Building a garage is a $40,000 to $100,000 decision
Most owners figure it out as they go: they guess at the budget, compare bids that don’t match, forget the permit questions that matter, and find out too late that the garage is too small or the electrical is undersized. This kit gives you a clear plan before you spend a dollar.
What’s inside
Six tools that work together, from first sketch to final inspection.
16-page PDF
Detached Garage Build Guide
- Sizes, clearances and door options that work
- Zoning, setbacks and permit questions to ask
- 2026 costs by size, plus where the money goes
- Every construction phase, explained
- 12 costly mistakes and how to save
Excel spreadsheet
Budget and Project Tracker
- Enter your size; 37 budget lines update automatically
- Bid comparison, payments and change orders
- Schedule with a built-in timeline chart
- Materials takeoff and inspection log
- Dashboard with budget vs. target
Printable PDF
Garage Build Checklist
- 100+ tasks in 10 phases
- Inspection and payment checkpoints
- Final walkthrough before you pay
- First-year maintenance list
Printable PDF
Contractor Hiring Kit
- 15 interview questions and reference checks
- Red flags and contract must-haves
- Bid comparison worksheet
- Payment schedule, change order and punch list forms
Printable PDF
Design and Layout Worksheets
- Needs and wish list
- Vehicle and storage sizing worksheet
- Site plan and floor plan grid pages
- Electrical layout and selections planner
PDF
Start Here Quick Guide
- A 5-step plan for using the kit
- Links to every free GarageCalculator.com tool
- Recommended plans, books and products
A budget that builds itself
Type in your garage’s width, depth and wall height. The tracker figures your slab, framing, roof, siding, doors and electrical, then adds the contractor fee and contingency. As quotes and invoices come in, it shows exactly where you stand.
- Uses your actual cost, then your quote, then the estimate
- Flags lines that run over budget
- Logs every payment and lien waiver
10linked tabs
37budget line items
23materials with quantities
20schedule phases with timeline
How it works
Download instantly
Check out securely and get all six files right away by email and on the receipt page.
Plan and budget
Read the guide, fill in the worksheets, and enter your garage size in the tracker for a budget built for your project.
Hire and build
Compare bids with the hiring kit, then follow the checklist phase by phase to the final inspection.
This kit is for you if
- You are planning a detached garage, shop or carport-to-garage project
- You want a realistic budget before you talk to builders
- You plan to hire a contractor, act as your own GC, or build part of it yourself
- You want to keep bids, payments and inspections organized in one place
It is not
- A set of construction plans (we recommend where to find them)
- Engineering or legal advice for your specific site
- A substitute for your local building code and inspector
Get the complete kit
- Detached Garage Build Guide
- Budget and Project Tracker spreadsheet
- Garage Build Checklist
- Contractor Hiring Kit
- Design and Layout Worksheets
- Start Here quick guide
That’s less than one-tenth of 1% of the cost of a typical two-car garage.
Questions
How do I get the files?
Right after checkout you’ll see a download link on the receipt page, and we’ll email it to you too. The kit is a single zip file with all six files.
What do I need to open them?
The PDFs open in any PDF reader or browser, and print on standard letter paper. The tracker is an Excel file that also opens in Google Sheets (File, Import) and Apple Numbers.
Are the cost figures accurate for my area?
Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages. The tracker lets you change every unit cost, and the guide explains how prices vary by region. Use it to plan and to judge quotes, then plug in your real bids.
Does it include garage plans?
No. It helps you decide what to build and what to ask for, then points you to ready-made plan sets. Most building departments require a plan set to issue a permit.
Will it work for a 1-car, 3-car or shop garage?
Yes. Enter any size from 8 to 80 ft wide in the tracker and every quantity and estimate updates. The guide covers 1-car garages through 30 x 40 shops.
What if I have a question about the kit?
Reach us through the contact page and we’ll help.
The kit provides general planning information, not engineering, legal or building code advice. Always follow your local building department, your plans and licensed professionals. Some links inside the kit are affiliate links; GarageCalculator.com may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For personal use by the purchaser.