Build a carport yourself…

I would like to build a carport myself, but I would prefer to gather some more information first. The carport should have a width of 3.00 meters and a length of 5.00 meters. To help you understand better, I will try to describe how I imagine it. The carport will be attached to a wall along its length. The horizontal beam (left/right) should be fixed to the wall with a beam shoe; the first vertical post I want to place 1.40 meters from the wall, the second at 1.80 meters, and the third at the end. The vertical posts (6 pcs.) will be connected to the ground with U-post holders. The ground is clay soil, but a 50cm layer of frost protection has been added as well as a 10cm layer of bedding gravel, and grass grids have been laid on top. When both sides are standing, I want to attach 6 horizontal beams (5x5) and then place the roof panels (OSB, a total of 15 pcs.) on top of them. Of course, I have already been to the hardware store and noted the prices, and with everything included I come to about €350.

My question to you is, would you have any concerns about the way I have described it here? Are the beams perhaps too thin, etc.? I have planned a construction time of 1 week with two people, and it is supposed to start on Monday. I would appreciate any tips and advice.

Hello!

One could comment better on this if you had specified the beam thickness. Or the material (KVH?) Or something about the wall, which is supposed to take load.

Calling slats of 5x5 cm squared timber is at least as daring as entering the planned construction or exposing it to snow load.

The carport we planned (although somewhat larger) is supposed to cost €12,000. A neighbor built it himself - similar to you - and paid €2,500 for the wood.

What kind of result do you expect for €350?

Best regards,
Tomtom.

Hi Tom Tom the posts are 7*7. Over 5 meters I have three posts as support and of course still the joist hanger, and that on both sides. The roof beams have a thickness of 5*5 on which the USB boards are placed, thickness 15 and double. When I am finished I will post a photo here. But with the 350€ I agree with you, so far I am at 550€. Oh, the wall has a thickness of 30 and is a shed extension to the house. You can build cheaply because currently the wood does not cost much, after all who builds a carport in winter? LG Mirko

Hi!
I have never noticed that wood is cheaper in the hardware store in winter.
It was less about the thickness of the wall and more about its construction - leave out the joist hanger and the issue is resolved.
I can’t really see what the doubling of the OSB boards brings - but battens of 5x5 seem a bit tight to me.
Posts of 7x7 may look meager, but are probably sufficient statically.
Are you actually operating without a building permit and static analysis?
Best regards, Tomtom.

Did not need a permit because I do not disturb my neighbors, and there is no obstruction to the street either. Of course, I took care beforehand to avoid any trouble. I have a structural engineer in the neighborhood who gave me some tips. Regarding the roof, the beams are 0.40 apart, so nothing can collapse. So I don’t have to worry about safety. Tomorrow we want to finish the roof (only the beams) and, if the weather permits, paint it. I want it to be as nice as in spring. Best regards, Mirko

In other countries, a simple construction notification is sufficient, and in some federal states, it is even allowed to build a carport without any permit. It should be clear that the effort required to obtain a building permit for a carport varies significantly across the 16 federal states. However, even in the states where no formal carport permit is necessary, building regulations must be observed. This means, for example, that if the carport is to be built close to the neighboring property, it may still require a detailed building permit, for instance, before constructing an attached carport.