How Much Does Garage Organization Cost?

Garage Organization Material Prices

Storage systems and components range from $200 to over $2,000, depending on the type of storage elements and materials you choose.

Garage Organization Installation Costs

Average rates for contractors range from $55 to $75 per hour, with a minimum of 3 to 4 hours to complete the work. More complex storage designs will take longer and raise the total labor costs.

Garage Organization on a Budget

You can get your garage organized for as little as $200 or as much as $5,000 or more. Depending on your budget and goals, you can add a few storage shelves and a cabinet in your one-car garage or have a custom-designed system installed in a much larger space.

$200 to $500

For $200, you can organize your garage with a pegboard or slatwall for tool storage, a two-shelf storage case, and a few plastic tub organizers. This may be sufficient for small garages without a workspace.

If you're organizing a garage on a budget, you can still get quite some work done with as little as $500. Hire a professional organizer to help you sort through a tight and cluttered space or do the organizing work yourself and put your funds toward purchasing additional garage storage. You can also install extra shelving, a pegboard with hooks to store tools, and possibly a lockable storage cabinet, depending on the square footage.

$1,000 to $2,000

For a grand, you can add wall storage and overhead storage to your garage, as well as some lightweight shelving or pegboards. You may choose to handle the decluttering and installation work yourself. For $2,000, consider adding sturdier shelving and racks to your organizational system. You might also want to hire a professional organizer or find a contractor to help put it all together.

$3,000 to $4,000-Plus

For $3,000, you can add a workbench to your project in addition to a storage cabinet and some professional assistance, either with decluttering or installing storage system components.

For $4,000, you can explore custom organizational systems designed to suit your needs and preferences. Consider adding a workbench, heavy-duty storage, and workspaces. You may also choose to include specialty storage for bicycles or other items. Finally, you can improve your garage lighting or electrical outlet access.

Garage Organization Costs by Square Footage

At a national average of $1,430 and a typical garage size of 360 square feet, organizing a garage costs approximately $4 per square foot. While most pros charge by the hour, your garage size does affect your costs. If you're working with a single-car space, shelving installation costs will usually be half or less than the cost of shelving installation for a two- or three-car garage.

Garage Organization Costs Near You

The average cost to complete a garage organization project varies according to your location within the U.S. Prices range from a low of $820 in Oregon to $2,340 in North Carolina.

Garage Organization Cost Factors

Factors such as the materials of your storage system or components, the garage size, and the project scope can greatly impact your expenses.

Materials

Storage and organizational systems for residential garages can come in a variety of materials. Whether you select high-grade metal, plastic, or wood, they’ll impact the total cost. Additionally, you'll probably spend more to install shelving, pegboards, slatwalls, and other features designed to handle heavier loads. On the other hand, you can save some money by choosing lighter-weight materials such as plastic storage containers and particle-board pegboards.

Project Scope

You can spend your budget hiring a professional organizer to help you declutter, buy, and install shelving and other organizational system components or mix DIY skills with professional services. Your costs will increase with a broader project scope.

Custom vs. Stock

Suppose you invest in an organizational system for your garage with shelving, storage cabinets, and other components. In that case, you'll need to choose from pre-configured stock systems to fit your dimensions. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to create a custom storage system, which will suit your specific needs more closely but cost more than a stock solution off the shelf.

Costs to Organize a Garage Yourself

If you decide to organize your garage yourself, you'll save on labor costs. Average rates for contractors range from $55 to $75 per hour, with a minimum of 3 to 4 hours to complete the work. You can also split up the process by tackling the decluttering and sorting work yourself, then hiring a professional organizer for the rest. Garage organization is a great project to tackle on your own if you have the time and energy for it. While the job itself isn’t necessarily complicated, it can take some time to finish the project, so set aside anywhere from a full day to a few weekends.

1. Declutter your space. Depending on the number of items you've been storing, this step could take an entire weekend or longer. Sort your things into three piles: Keep, throw away, and donate/sell. Make sure you're using the storage space safely, and finish with a good cleaning or hire professional house cleaners near you.

2. Create a floor plan. Measure your garage's interior dimensions, then draw a model to scale on graph paper so you can play around with the available space. Group items you'll frequently use together and closer to the door, and place seasonal and seldom-used items in back corners or on high shelves.

3. Research your options. Now that you know what you'll be storing in your garage, look at the available organization and storage components that’ll help you keep the space tidy and easy to use. Shop around to find the best values for your budget.

4. Install your organizational system components. Depending on your selections, you may want to enlist some help from a friend. Expect to spend up to half a day unless you're installing more complex systems, which can take longer.

DIY vs. Hire a Garage Organization Pro

"Garage organization can become overwhelming,” says Andy Kilborn, Angi Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA. “Start with a plan and you can complete it in phases, with some phases being DIY and others requiring a pro."

Professional organizers near you cost $240 to $750 or charge an average hourly rate of $55 to $85. These costs typically won’t include the installation of storage systems, shelving, and racks. More complex designs will take longer and raise the total labor costs. Of course, you’ll still have to pay for storage system components and any associated costs for installation, trash removal, and other related projects. Contacting a home organizing professional to tackle some or all the work is a good choice for those who don’t have a lot of time or lack the skills to install shelving or other organizational elements.

FAQs

What should I consider when choosing a garage organization system?

When buying storage solutions, it's imperative to start with the available space. If you'll be keeping a car inside the garage, measure the interior dimensions of the available space with the vehicle parked inside and its doors and trunk or hatchback open. This will give you a better idea of the space that's available to you.

Now that you have the measurements in hand, consider your various options. Garage storage options include pegboards, slatwalls, and tool racks, cabinets, and more. To maximize space, explore vertical organizational options such as pegboards and tool racks. Add other storage containers such as tool storage cabinets and workbenches to help you get the most use of your garage.

How long will it take to organize my garage?

Depending on how complex your organizational plans are and how much decluttering you’ll need to do first, it can take anywhere from a full day or two to several full weekends to complete the project. You can save some time by having the entire family or good friends pitch in to aid with the decluttering process.

Remember that even if you leave it to a professional, you’ll still have to participate in the decluttering and sorting phase. However, the pros can usually finish the job on their own afterwards.

What other garage projects can I complete at the same time?

While you’re organizing your garage, you can also work on some related projects:

• Cost to renovate or convert a garage

• Cost to install a garage door or cost to repair a garage door

• Cost to install a garage door opener or cost to repair a garage door opener