How to Build a Carport

There are several reasons that a carport could be an excellent addition to your home: a carport can protect your vehicles from the elements, keeping them looking much newer for much longer; carports are a great and inexpensive way to add value to your home if you are planning on selling in the near future and carports can give you a protected area in which to conduct projects like fixing your automobile, working on your lawn mower, working on your bicycle or acting as the checkout for your yard sale.

Though undertaking the construction of a new carport can be a bit difficult, if you’re reasonably handy and know your way around some basic tools you should be able to complete the project without hiring a professional contractor to assist you.

There are a few different types of carports that you can choose from – and different levels of quality of each. Some freestanding carports are made from aluminum framing and are super light-weight, easy to assemble and are able to be moved form one location to another; sturdier freestanding units are available in which you’ll need to dig holes and set concrete posts for more hearty supports – these carports provide much more protection than the aforementioned units but are a bit more difficult to build and can’t be moved once they are built.

Braced carports, as a whole are viewed as more heavy duty than freestanding carports, because they are attached to your house on one side. It’s true that pretty much all braced carports are of a heavy grade and more resilient than the tent-like aluminum pipe freestanding carports, but some of the heavier duty freestanding carports will provide just as much protection as any braced unit.

What do you need?

This is the first question you need to ask yourself before any carport building takes place. You need to research all of the varieties available to see which will best suit your purpose. Important things to consider are: what exactly your carport will be used for, if it needs to be portable or should it be a more permanent construction and what the weather is like in the area in which you live – the more severe weather conditions you experience, the more sturdy your carport should be.

You’ll also want to check for any local ordinances before commencing any construction. Even a very simple carport may require you to get permits with your township before you begin the project. You’ll also want to check with the local utilities to ensure that there is no gas, water or power lines present in the area in which you’ll be building. It’s of the utmost importance that you adhere to all local codes and ordinances to ensure that you and everyone around you remain safe.

How to Do It

Regardless of what type of carport you decide is best for you, you’ll likely be able to find a pre-packaged kit with all of the raw materials you’ll need for construction and a detailed plan to follow in order to get you through the process.

If you do find a kit for the type of carport you’re looking to build, you’ll still need the tools to put it all together. The plans should give you a list of the tools that will be required, but common ones used in this type of project are: a circular saw, a hammer, a plumb level and chalk line, an electric drill, a screwdriver and nut driver (or bits that fit into your drill), and a tape measure.

Depending on the type of carport that you are building, the project as a whole could be very simple or reasonably advanced. It’s very important that you follow the plans that come with your carport to the letter – read over the entire instruction packet from beginning to end to make sure that you understand it before you even unpack the building materials. Even a simple mistake could lead to a hole in the side of your house or a concrete pad where they isn’t supposed to be. Measure everything twice and double check that everything is level and in it’s appropriate location before making any cuts, pouring any concrete or attaching any brackets. Careful understanding of this project is crucial for any permanent structure and it’s also very necessary for any portable structure. Starting this project blindly could lead to an error that renders your carport unusable.

This project isn’t easy when compared to some other home improvement projects, but it’s far from impossible if you’ve got some knowledge and can carefully follow instructions.

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