Hire a carport builder to give your vehicle some shade
Who you can get to build a carport largely depends on the type of carport you want. A carport is an affordable garage alternative for homeowners interested in keeping their vehicles safe from the elements. You have a few options when deciding what kind of carport to install—and who can install it. With a prefab model, the company you purchase from will install it for you. If you decide to go custom, you'll want to hire a professional, licensed general contractor to build your carport.
A contractor or construction company specializing in carports is your best bet if you're building a custom carport. Contractors should be licensed to work in your state and municipality. The company you hire doesn't have to only build carports, but they should have plenty of experience putting them together. Whether you work with a specialized carport builder or a general construction company or contractor depends in large part on what's available in your area.
Working with a professional is one way to ensure your project follows any and all local rules, including permitting requirements. It's also a way to ensure you get a long-lasting, quality carport.
When looking for a local carport builder, aim for a company with experience building garages or carports and ask them for examples of their past projects.
While a contractor or construction company is your best bet for a permanent carport structure, you may want to set up a carport from a kit if you're just looking for a temporary fix. Carport kits arrive at your home on a pallet and feature metal tubing that connects together and sheet metal panels for the roof.
If you're relatively handy, you may find it easy to put together a carport from a kit. But, as with any DIY project, there is the risk of injury or assembling the carport incorrectly, affecting its stability and durability.
Keep in mind that carport sizes can vary. Assembling a single-car carport is much easier to do on your own than putting together a multi-car structure.
Taking the DIY route can also save you some cash, up to $10 per square foot, or 5% of the total cost, compared to hiring a pro to do the work. Most homeowners who hire a pro to install their carports pay an average of $3,600, but prices often range from $2,115 to $5,100.
While some prefab carports arrive at your door on a pallet and are meant to be assembled by you, some companies will install them for you. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, but aren't confident in your DIY skills, have a prefab carport installer do the job for you.
Working with a prefab carport installer can be a particularly good idea if you live in a state that experiences heavy storms or snowfall. The carport installer can certify that the structure meets any local requirements and can withstand nasty weather.
How professionals build a carport depends on the type of structure you choose. The process will also affect the cost of your carport, with metal structures costing the least and wood or stone structures costing considerably more.
The steps to building a carport are as follows:
Obtaining permits: The permits you need to build a carport depend on local regulations. If you live in an area with storms or snow, you may need certification proving that the carport won't collapse under heavy snow or during a wind storm.
Deciding on the design: Your design depends on your taste, needs, and available space, but even with prefab structures, you have several styles to choose from. The installation company or builder will also help you determine the appropriate size for the carport based on the type and number of your vehicles.
Ordering materials: Depending on the type of structure you want, the installer may order a kit or lumber, roof shingles, and other materials as needed.
Constructing it: How long the construction process takes depends in large part on the type of structure. Prefab carports are designed to come together quickly and easily in a matter of days, while a custom-designed structure may take several weeks to build.
