Finished backyard buildings

Detached garages, from slab to shingles

A detached garage is the workhorse of backyard buildings: the truck out of the hail, the mower out of the shed, the workbench out of the basement, all under one properly built roof.

Built like a building, because it is one

Garages sit in our finished-buildings line for a reason: the structural spec is a real step up from a storage shed. A vehicle-rated concrete slab. Headers over the door opening sized for the span. Walls tall enough for the door hardware and, often, a storage loft above it. This is slab-up construction with inspections, and it's squarely our kind of work.

What we build

  • Single and double-bay garages, sized to your actual vehicles (measure the truck with the tailgate down; everyone forgets the tailgate)
  • Vehicle doors done right: insulated steel or carriage-style, with openers and the header framing they demand
  • Storage lofts over the hood line, because garage air space is free real estate
  • Workshop wings and wired bays: subpanels, 240V, and bench layouts, detailed on our workshops page
  • Finish options from open-stud utility to insulated and drywalled
  • Siding, trim, and shingles matched to your house, our default everywhere

Typical uses

Daily parking (hail is a Middle Tennessee tax on uncovered cars), classic-car and motorcycle storage where an insulated, dehumidified bay protects the investment, the mower fleet and yard machinery, and the mixed build we do most: park one bay, work in the other. If the vehicle only needs a roof and not walls, a carport delivers most of the protection at a fraction of the cost, and we'll say so when it's true.

What drives the price

The slab and the shell scale with footprint; vehicle doors and their framing are the next block; then electrical and interior finish level. Site work matters more here than on any small building (a garage wants a flat, drained, accessible pad), so the site visit is where the quote gets honest. Itemized, free, as always.

Build process

Site and access check, design and permits, slab (with cure time we won't shortcut), framing and roof, doors and siding, then electrical and interior to whatever finish level you chose. From first form board to door-opener beep, you'll have the schedule in writing.

A note on permits: requirements for finished buildings vary with your city and county, zoning, setbacks, utility connections, and the scope of the project. We confirm what applies to your exact address as part of every quote, and coordinate the permit when one is required. The finished backyard buildings overview covers this in more detail.

Common questions

What does a detached garage cost compared to a shed?

Meaningfully more, for structural reasons: a concrete slab designed for vehicle loads, heavier headers over the vehicle door, taller walls, and usually a permit. What you get back is the most useful building on the property: parking, storage, and shop space under one roof. The quote itemizes slab, shell, doors, and any interior finish separately so the number makes sense.

One bay or two?

Price the second bay before deciding; the shared slab, roof, and wall make it much cheaper than building two singles ever would be, and no one in history has complained about too much garage. If the second bay's job is really a workshop, we'll frame and wire it as one from the start.

Do detached garages need permits?

Almost always, given the size and the slab; garages typically sit above the accessory-structure thresholds that let small sheds skate by. Setbacks and lot coverage matter too, and driveway access has its own considerations. We confirm your address's rules during the quote and handle the process.

Can you match my house?

That's the standard, not an option: same siding family, trim, shingles, and colors, so the garage reads as original to the property. A garage is a big building to look at every day; it should look like it belongs.

Ready to talk about your project?

Tell us what you're picturing and we'll send a same-day quote. No pressure, no sales script, just a builder's honest answer.