How to build a carport yourself

I have now obtained several offers for carports and somehow none of them really convince me.

However, since our move-in date is now shifting towards spring next year, I am considering building the thing myself, but how?

In terms of dimensions, a double carport is to be built that is max. 6.00 m wide and 5.50 m deep. If possible, I would like to avoid a support post in the middle of the carport, i.e., between the two parking spaces and driving lanes.

In the end, I need four posts/supports with a flat roof on top. I might want to later close the sides all around with open wooden slats or coated perforated sheet metal. Later as an option, maybe also install a gate.

Additionally, I do not want to underestimate the snow load, especially with a flat roof. We are looking at around 150 kg/m2 or kN/m2.

I have somewhat moved away from a complete wooden carport since I think the construction will be too massive and too maintenance-intensive over the years.

So that leaves steel/aluminum or concrete/stone.

What do you think would be best for a layman in terms of price-performance?

For aluminum/steel, I have someone who can supply materials and welding knowledge, so a locksmith.

I would probably also manage concrete/stone and build four pillars out of formwork stones, masonry stones, with the help of my father-in-law, who has worked in civil and road construction for years.

Or is the project somewhat too complex? Because of size, statics, snow load?

Well, I would go to a structural engineer or architect who designs and calculates that for you. It’s also about making sure it doesn’t collapse or lift off in the wind.

If you have no idea about DIY, just take a kit. There are steel, wood, aluminum, your measurements from 4-5 k€.

Wood carport costs about 4-5 thousand euros from the online shop... Local carpentry wanted 20,000€. The aluminum version should cost around 7,000€... I'll wait for an offer for the concrete version

The depicted alien hybrid of a precast concrete garage and canopy you don’t seriously call a carport, do you?

I haven’t found any house in your thread history that you intend to deface with the questionable carport - nevertheless, I (and with me Al Borland and his mother) am confident that this plan will succeed if you try your hand at such a project as a Tim Taylor impersonator. Your description

In the end, I need four posts/supports with the flat roof on top. I might want to close the sides all around later with an open wooden slat, or coated perforated sheet metal. Later as an option maybe also to install a gate.

reads like the brilliant plan for a tin garage by installments.

In aluminum, the stuff should cost €7,000...

Oops! – from which clearance sale did you get that price – or is that meant as a "kit"?

The depicted alien cross between a precast concrete garage and a canopy you surely are not seriously calling a carport, are you? I haven’t found any house in your thread history that you intend to disfigure with the questionable carport – nevertheless, I (and with me Al Borland and his mother) am confident that this plan will succeed if you try such a project as a Tim Taylor impersonator. Your description at least reads like the brilliant plan for a sheet metal garage in installments. Whoa! – from which clearance sale did you get the price – or is that meant as a “kit”?

. Well, taste is known to be subjective and luckily we all have different ones... And regarding the aluminum carport, yes, it is naturally a kit.