How much does it cost to build a metal carport?

A metal carport is a great way to create a quick shelter without the financial commitment of a full-fledged garage. Available at a wide range of price points, metal carports are a cost-effective way to enhance storage, function, and convenience on your property. Setting up a metal carport involves preparing the site, choosing the product, transporting your selection, and installation. Depending on where you live and the carport that you choose, expect to pay an average of $2,100-$4,500 to add a high-quality aluminum or stainless-steel carport to your property.

Pros and cons

Consider both the pros and cons of adding a metal carport to your home or property. Do the pros outweigh the cons? That depends on the purpose of the carport; for many, it is the perfect cost-effective solution to more storage or fast shelter.

Materials

If you are thinking about adding a carport to your property, then steel and aluminum are probably your best, and most widely-available, options. The material that is used for carport production is made at a mill, much like metal roofing is. Both aluminum and steel are durable metals used widely for carports.

Base

Your carport requires a level foundation and even base for best results. You don’t have to have a concrete pad ¹, but it does add to the longevity and function of your carport. You can have concrete poured for a pad to accommodate your carport for around $1,200 by a professional concrete contractor. If you choose not to pour a slab for your carport, pay a landscape crew to level ² the earth before your carport is delivered, for around $150.

Roofing

There are three different types of roofs that are common in metal carports: rounded, boxed eave ³, and vertical. Here is what you need to know:

• Rounded: the most common roof; has pronounced eaves. Expect to pay around $100 for rounded roofing added to the costs of overall roofing your carport.
• Boxed eave roofing: it is square-shaped, with some overhang. The price varies, but boxed eaves typically add $150-$175to the roofing cost.
• Vertical roof: it has lines that run from the peak to the walls and comes highly recommended for carports due to runoff and strength potential. Usually costs around $200 more.

The price differential between roofing generally makes up around $100-$200 of the total cost of your carport, with rounded roofing being most inexpensive and vertical roofing most costly. The size of the carport and desired roof pitch impact the cost of the roofing. For a standard 21’ x 12’ carport, an asphalt ⁴ roof costs approximately $260, while metal roofing runs around $600.

Color

While you have an endless range of color options to choose from, gray and white are the most popular sellers. Typically, homeowners want carports that meld with the appearance of their home, garage, or other property structures. Typically, the color comes at no additional cost unless requesting a custom color. Metal carports are also easy to paint, so you can refurbish or modify the color with a professional paint job for around $450.

Size

The most common size of metal carports purchased is intended to fit a typical, standard-size car (or two full-size motorcycles), which is around 16’ x 9’, facilitated by the most common 21’ x 12’ size carport.

Some common sizes include the 21’ long x 12’ wide metal carport, which accommodates one standard-size automobile and is priced from $700-$900. Smaller carports suitable for ATVs or motorcycles include the 10’ long x 7’ wide carport, for around $500. If you are looking for something bigger, consider a double-size carport, approximately 21’ long x 24’ wide for around $1,300, or the larger still 41’ long x 20’ wide carport which can contain a large recreational vehicle or camper for just under $3,000. These carports are all typically 6’ in height.

Talk to retailers about custom-size carports, made to your specific height, width, and length request. These carports are usually charged by the square foot.

Labor

The weight and bulk of a carport makes installation tricky so it pays to hire a pro for the task. The carport can be installed quickly- usually less than a day. Some things that impact the labor costs are season, geographic location, and accessibility; if the carport cannot be delivered with ease, you will be facing additional expenses.

If you purchase from a retailer that will provide transportation within a predetermined number of miles, like 50, this may be included in the cost of your carport. Beyond this distance, you will pay a per-mile cost which varies, but that can cost up to $5 per mile to transport your carport.

Also, the price of your carport is based on it being moved to a level and accessible location for set-up. In order to level uneven ground up to nine inches, expect to pay a landscape professional crew approximately $60 per hour. As for set-up, the cost of a brand new metal carport typically includes installation; if not, expect to pay around $70 per hour for carpenters to assemble and install the carport on site. It is estimated that it can cost $8 per square foot to construct a carport.

Maintenance

Most stainless-steel carports are treated to be rust-resistant when you purchase them. Talk to your retailer about treatments and protective coatings that can be applied to aluminum carports to prevent corrosion. Keep your carport clean with regular pressure washing; rent a washer for $40-$75 per day from a home improvement rental venue. You can use an automotive penetrating oil for any stubborn spots on your stainless-steel carport and plain household vinegar on aluminum models. Always consult with your carport manufacturer recommendations for cleaning solvent suggestions.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Gabling covers

Gablling covers add an aesthetic touch to the end caps of the roof. Buyers often like this option for cohesion with their home’s design and roofing style. Usually it will cost $150 to gable each one of your end caps.

Adding walls

Add walls and a sense of security to your metal carport for an additional $300-$600, per three-foot segment and wall-in your carport.

Anchoring

Anchoring your carport protects against high winds, helpful in areas such as coastal regions or the stormy Northeast. Thicker steel can help defend against the elements, but plan on paying top-dollar for a more durable product or longer warranty coverage, likely around $6,000 for a stainless-steel carport, depending on size and location.

Additional considerations and costs

• Permits. In most municipalities you will need a building permit for a carport unless it is a portable carport, in which case you do not. Before planning on adding a carport, know your property lines as well as the specific measurements of the carport you are considering. This information is required for the building permit, along with payment of a fee that varies geographically. If your local zoning ordinances require it, your carport retailer may be able to help pull the permit and provide documentation on your behalf.
• DIY. It is not uncommon for savvy DIYers to add carports to their property, but be warned: it is heavy and labor-intensive work. Constructing a carport on your own requires a lot of different skills from welding, to roofing, to landscaping, each of which also requires a multitude of tools.
• Warranty. Most new metal carports that you buy carry a 10-year guarantee against things like chipping and denting and typically a 20-year warranty on the life of your structure.
• Certified metal carports. When you plan on adding a carport, part of the preparation involved is providing copies of the structure’s blueprint ⁵ to your municipality for your building permit. Certified metal carports remove this phase of the planning process and don’t require additional blueprints or drawings. These carports are certified and rated to be particularly durable and permanent, withstanding winds up to 130 mph as well as extreme conditions like snow and ice.
• Portable carports. For a cheaper alternative, portable carports are a viable option, typically made from either powder-coated or galvanized-steel tubing. The primary benefits of portable carports are the price and the fact that you don’t need a permit to add them to your property.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Concrete pad: A flat area of concrete that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as a patio or a driveway

⁴ Asphalt: A viscous, black mixture of hydrocarbons often used for roofing and waterproofing. It is also used in asphalt for paving roads

⁵ Blueprint: A technical drawing of an architectural design. Traditionally these were made using a printing process that produced a white line on a blue background. They can also be made with CAD software and a large-scale printer