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Breaking Down the DIY Garage Kit Budget: Foundation, Materials, and Finishing Costs
You see a Best Barns garage kit listed online for a great price, and you think, "Wow, I can build a garage for $5,000?"
Well, yes and no.
While the kit itself is a fantastic value, it is essentially the skeleton and skin of the building. To turn that pile of high-quality lumber into a functional, weather-tight garage, you need to budget for the "hidden" essentials. Many first-time builders get stuck because they only budget for the box that arrives on the truck.
We want to help you avoid that sticker shock. We are going to break down the real-world DIY garage kit costs so you can plan your finances accurately before you order.
Key Takeaways
- The "Kit" is Just the Shell: The sticker price usually covers only the walls, trusses, and siding; you must budget for the rest.
- Foundation is the Biggest Variable: A professional concrete slab can cost as much as the kit itself, ranging from $2,500 to $4,500.
- Don't Forget the Roof: You will need to buy shingles, drip edge, and roofing felt separately, adding roughly $600 to $1,000 to the bill.
- The Garage Door: Most kits provide the opening, but not the door. Expect to pay $800 to $1,500 for a standard sectional door and rails.
- Realistic Total: Expect the finished project to cost 1.5x to 2x the price of the kit alone once you add paint, permits, and foundation.
1. The Foundation: Your Biggest Expense
You cannot build a garage on grass. The foundation is critical for the structural integrity of your kit, and it is usually the single most expensive item outside of the kit itself.
Option A: Concrete Slab (Recommended for Vehicles)
If you plan to park a car, boat, or heavy tractor inside, you need a concrete slab.
- Cost: $6 to $12 per square foot.
- Estimated Total: For a standard 12x24 garage, expect to pay $2,500 to $4,000 if you hire a professional.
- DIY Potential: You can pour it yourself to save money, but concrete is unforgiving. If you mess up the leveling, your garage walls won't line up.
Option B: Wood Floor System (Workshops Only)
If you are building a workshop or garden shed, you can use the FortressFloor option or build your own pressure-treated wood base.
- Cost: $600 to $900.
- Details: You will need gravel for drainage, concrete blocks for leveling, and pressure-treated lumber. This is much cheaper but generally not suitable for daily vehicle parking due to moisture and road salt.
2. The Roofing Materials
Best Barns kits include the roof trusses and sheathing (the wood deck), but they rarely include the waterproof layer. You have to buy these locally because shipping heavy asphalt shingles across the country is too expensive.
You will need to pick up the following from your local hardware store:
- Shingles: 10 to 14 bundles (depending on kit size).
- Roofing Felt/Underlayment: 2 rolls.
- Drip Edge: Metal flashing for the edges.
- Roofing Nails: A box of 1-inch galvanized nails.
- Estimated Total: $600 to $1,000.
3. The Garage Door
This is the one item that surprises most people. Your kit includes the framed opening for a garage door, but not the door itself.
- The Door: A standard 9x7 steel sectional door costs between $700 and $1,200.
- The Tracks & Springs: These usually come with the door.
- Installation: Installing a garage door spring is dangerous. We highly recommend hiring a pro for this specific task, which adds $300 to $500 to the cost.
4. Paint and Caulk
Your kit comes with primed siding (like LP SmartSide), but it is not waterproof until you paint it. Do not use cheap paint here; your garage is exposed to sun, rain, and snow 24/7.
- Exterior Paint: 3 to 5 gallons of high-quality acrylic latex paint ($150 - $250).
- Caulk: 6 to 10 tubes of paintable exterior sealant for all the seams ($50 - $80).
- Painting Supplies: Brushes, rollers, and drop cloths ($50).
5. Permits and Miscellaneous
Don't forget the paperwork. Almost all municipalities require a permit for a structure this size.
- Permit Fees: $200 to $600 (varies wildly by location).
- Delivery Fees: Depending on where you buy, "curbside delivery" might have an extra surcharge if you live in a remote area.
- Anchors: If you are in a high-wind area, you may need to buy specific hurricane ties or concrete anchors ($50).
The Bottom Line: What is the Real Total?
Let’s do the math for a hypothetical 12x24 Best Barns Garage:
- Kit Price: ~$3,695 (varies by model)
- Concrete Foundation: ~$3,000
- Roofing: ~$800
- Garage Door: ~$1,000
- Paint/Supplies: ~$300
- Permits: ~$300
- TOTAL PROJECT COST: ~$9095
As you can see, the "finished" cost is roughly double the kit cost. However, this is still significantly cheaper than the $20,000+ a contractor would charge to build a custom garage from scratch.
Have any questions or would like to place an order? We'd love to help! Chat with our friendly customer service team by calling 1-844-945-3625, chatting in on our website or email us at customersupport@wildoaktrail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save money by building a dirt floor garage?
We do not recommend it. Moisture from the ground will rot the bottom plates of your walls very quickly. You need at least a gravel pad with a vapor barrier.
Does the garage kit include nails?
Most Best Barns kits include the assembly hardware (nails and screws) for the wood framing, but you usually need to buy your own roofing nails.
Is it cheaper to buy a metal garage kit?
Yes, metal kits are cheaper upfront because they include the roof and siding. However, wood kits offer better insulation and higher property resale value.
How much does it cost to insulate the garage later?
For a 12x24 garage, expect to spend about $400-$600 on fiberglass insulation batts and another $300-$500 on drywall if you do it yourself.
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