How Much Does a Carport Cost to Install? [2025 Data]
The average carport cost is $6,238, with prices ranging from $3,089 to $9,450, depending on its size and other factors.
The average carport cost is $6,238, but a carport that’s big enough to provide cover for a single car can cost as little as $300. Putting up a carport is a great way to protect your vehicles without spending the thousands of dollars that building a garage can cost. A larger carport for two midsize sedans may cost $25,000 or more, which is still less than a new garage. Features like vertical roofs, gabling, and walls will add to the total price, as will permits and, in some cases, a concrete foundation. Learn what impacts the cost of a carport and where you can—and can’t—save money.
Carport Cost Breakdown
The cost of getting your new carport installed can be divided into two basic areas—materials and labor—plus additional costs for special circumstances that may or may not apply to your property or carport.
Materials
Most homeowners choose a carport kit sold by a home-improvement retailer. Many of these kits will include delivery to your site and some may even include installation. A carport kit should include all required hardware, though you’ll also need basic tools such as a power drill, screw gun, rivet gun, tape measure, and levels if you’re installing the carport yourself.
Labor
If the company that sold you the carport kit does not offer installation services, you can hire a carport installation pro or local general contractor to do it for you. Labor costs that aren’t included in the total price generally run around $10 per square foot.
Location
The cost of a carport doesn’t vary significantly on a regional basis across the U.S. However, while major manufacturers typically set carport prices fairly uniformly nationwide, installation labor costs may vary as well as the cost of specific features as discussed above. Additionally, you may encounter higher prices in locations with stricter building code requirements or a tendency toward strong winds and storms, such as the southeastern and southern coastlines.
Style
Style also plays a role in the overall cost of your carport. Custom carports with features that match or compliment the home's aesthetics generally cost more than off-the-shelf kits.
Access
Carport installations that are a far drive for a materials delivery truck could incur an additional charge of roughly $50 to account for extra labor needs. The extra fees will typically apply for installations 50 feet or more from the road.
Electricity
Many homeowners choose to add electrical service to their carports for convenience and safety. Add costs of around $100 per hour for an electrician to install lights and outlets as necessary.
Site Leveling
While a carport doesn't typically require much in the way of a foundation, its installation location should be quite level. If minor ground leveling is necessary to accommodate your carport, expect an extra charge of around $150.
Non-Standard Installations
Several situations may require unusual installation methods. Prepare to spend up to $200 to install a carport over another structure strong enough to support an automobile, put your carport on a boat dock, or preassemble the structure and move it to its final location for any number of reasons.
Concrete Slab
If you need to pour a concrete slab to accommodate your new carport, the average cost of a concrete slab ranges from $4 to $8 per square foot. Since the average car needs around 300 to 350 square feet of space, this means you’ll spend somewhere between $1,200 and $2,800 per car.
Permits
Whether or not you need a permit varies by location, but most municipalities require one. Permits vary in cost, so expect to pay between $60 and $800 or more for a permit to build a carport. Permits might seem like a hassle to obtain, but they ensure your build is insurable, built well, and, constructed safely.
Cost to Install a Carport by Size
The main factor affecting the cost of your metal carport is its size, with smaller styles often costing much less than larger ones. The average prices listed below include typical labor costs. Special features, much larger carports, and sites that require additional work can add to your costs.
| Dimensions | Capacity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 21'L x 12'W x 6'H | One mid-size car | $2,400–$8,400 |
| 21'L x 24'W x 6'H | Two mid-size cars | $4,000–$14,000 |
| 41'L x 20'W x 12'H | One large RV | $6,000–$21,000 |
Cost by Carport Material
| Carport Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Metal | $20–$40 |
| Wood | $15–$35 |
| Polycarbonate | $12–$20 |
Determining the size of the carport your home needs is job one—the next step is to choose the construction material.
Metal
Metal carports cost an average of $5 to $20 per square foot for the materials and around $15 to $30 per square foot with labor. Custom builds can reach up to $40 per square foot. The most common material for a metal carport is galvanized steel, though you may find aluminum carports in regions that don’t experience heavy snow or hail.
Galvanized steel is commonly used for carport construction. It’s more expensive than conventional steel, but is coated with zinc which prevents it from eroding. Both steel and galvanized steel are incredibly strong, but galvanized steel can last decades longer. In climates with a lot of rain, galvanized steel can last almost twice as long. It’s important to note that while galvanized steel is more expensive than regular or structural steel, it is less expensive than stainless steel.
| Type of Metal | Average Cost (per Square Foot) | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $10–$15 | Lightweight, less durable |
| Structural steel | $4–$16 | Strong, inexpensive, susceptible to corrosion |
| Galvanized steel | $5–$20 | Stronger, heavier, more expensive |
Wood
Wood is a common building material in custom carport construction due to its versatility and affordability. Expect to pay an average of $24 per square foot for a wooden carport, with prices ranging between $15 and $35 per square foot for materials and labor and between $3 and $25 for materials alone.
Evergreen conifer timber is the best type of wood for constructing a wooden carport. These wood types are naturally resistant to rot and mold, and are strong, durable, and attractive. Here’s the average cost of wood per square foot depending on the type of wood.
| Type of Wood | Average Material Cost (per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Cedar | $5–$11 |
| Douglas fir | $3–$5 |
| Redwood | $9–$18 |
| Oak | $9–$16 |
| Spruce | $5–$14 |
| Pressure-treated pine | $15–$25 |
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate carports often consist of an aluminum support structure and a polycarbonate roof. These carports tend to cost less than other material types, ranging from $12 to $20 per square foot, with an average of $16.
Installing a Carport Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Installation costs by a local carport installer are often included in the total cost of your carport. Professional installation takes an experienced team two days or less. If you’re a seasoned DIYer with a few people to help out, you can save between eight and 16 hours of billable labor, which comes out to around $300 to $900.
Installing a carport yourself will save you around $10 per square foot in materials. If you're installing a wooden carport especially, you'll find that the sheer weight of materials makes it very challenging to do it yourself. If you build the carport leaning against your existing house, that adds pressure onto load-bearing beams and can damage your wall and roof. Additionally, there are safety considerations when working with heavy materials.
While it might be tempting to build your own carport, this is not a job for your everyday DIYer. It's best to contact a carport pro to help you safely and correctly install your carport.
How to Save Money on a Carport Installation
Generally speaking, the cost of carports is fairly uniform across the country, so you’ll probably see a similar cost range for any individual model you consider. You can trim your expenses by selecting the smallest carport for your current and reasonably expected future needs. For example, if you don’t anticipate buying a second vehicle, stick to a smaller one-car model to trim your costs. Additionally, compare the features for various models and seriously consider whether you need additional features.
Allie Ogletree contributed to this piece.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
While installing a carport will have only a slight, if any, bearing on increasing the selling price of your home, simply having a high-quality and well-maintained carport can improve the selling appeal to would-be house buyers. However, a poorly-maintained carport in disrepair can have the opposite effect and hurt the home's sales appeal.
Poured concrete is one of the best bases for a carport. You'll get one of the biggest bangs for your buck with concrete, thanks to its durability. At the same time, if concrete isn't in your budget, it might not be the best base for your installation. Dirt foundations, gravel foundations, and permeable pavers work in a crunch and can be long-lasting without the higher price tag of poured concrete.
