Cost to build a shed: what owners paid in 2023
Sheds, detached garages and other buildings are grouped. Attached garages belong to a separate category.
The table shows the 2023 American Housing Survey’s median spending for owner-occupied homes. Projects were completed in the two years before interview; these figures are not current contractor prices.
National median for this survey category
$3,000
This historical median describes the category above, across different project sizes and scopes. It does not price a matching job at your address.
| Metro area | 2023 median | Publication state |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Los Angeles | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Chicago | $3,400 | Published |
| Dallas | $3,000 | Published |
| Houston | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Philadelphia | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Washington DC | $3,000 | Published |
| Miami | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Atlanta | $3,400 | Published |
| Boston | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| San Francisco | $1,750 | Published |
| Phoenix | $4,600 | Published |
| Riverside | Not published | Withheld by Census |
| Detroit | $1,000 | Published |
| Seattle | $3,000 | Published |
Keep the category’s limits in view
The source category is “Shed/detached garage/other building” under “Lot or Yard Additions and Replacements.” A median describes the middle of reported spending; it is not an average bid, a recommended budget or a standardized job.
Missing or withheld values stay unknown. They are not zero and are not filled using neighboring metros. The survey’s metro names and boundaries are retained; no county or ZIP estimate is inferred.
Before comparing your quotes
Does the quote include the foundation, structure, openings and utility work?
Use the quantity calculator to record the measurements. Keep the actual quotes in a budget worksheet.