Carports are a common vehicle shelter type that you mostly see in warm climates. They’re relatively inexpensive because they don’t have walls, so that’s why many people opt for them instead of full garages. However, because they have no walls, they aren’t as secure or as useful as a traditional garage that can be locked and used to store sporting goods, bicycles, lawn equipment, and tools.
If you have a carport now, you may wonder how you could convert it to a full-featured garage. Your best bet is to talk with an experienced Boston contractor on what is involved with a garage carport conversion.
Less Expensive
Converting your carport to a garage is generally less expensive than installing a completely new garage, but be prepared to add to the expense if the carport’s slab, roof and support posts are in poor shape. It can cost between $9,000 and $11,000 in labor costs alone for a carpenter to finish the walls and install doors.
Add these costs to framing lumber, windows, siding materials, a garage door, and an entry door, as well as electrical service upgrades, dumpster fees, and permits. Now you’ve just brought the project cost up to between $18,000 and $35,000.
Is a Conversion Possible?
Yes, under the right circumstances. However, don’t neglect to consider these issues before hiring a contractor.
1. Check HOA Regulations and Local Building Codes
If you live on a property governed by an HOA, you will need to get their approval first. If you are approved, you can move forward with hiring a contractor, but they will need to secure a permit and make sure it complies with local building codes. Some concessions will have to be made. For instance, if attaching the garage to your home, you will have to install a fire-rated wall on the house side, and a fire-rated entry door that goes into the home.
2. Current Carport Structure
If your carport features a tiled or shingled roof and the vertical supports that hold the roof steady are in decent enough shape, you probably won’t run into any problems with framing the walls and doors. However, if the support posts lean to one side or are damaged in any way, it won’t be possible to convert the carport until you have made critical structural improvements.
3. Slab Measurements
Garage should be 20 feet deep, featuring a width of 10 feet to accommodate one car or 18.5 feet to accommodate two cars. Extend the garage another two to four feet to ensure an even more comfortable garage. In any case, you would have to expand the slab for a bigger footprint, provided you have enough roof overhang.
4. Height
There should be sufficient room for a horizontal header above the garage door opening. This sturdy beam, known as a header, across the drive-through opening is critical. The contractor’s job will be made easier if the existing carport has sufficient height to make allowances for this.
5. Roofline
Carports typically feature either a gable roof or a shed roof. The roofline you have now may look fine on the carport, but what will it look like when enclosed as a garage? Consider the overall aesthetic.
6. Roof Condition
If you want to keep the existing roof, have it examined by a contractor, home inspector, or structural engineer. If it’s not in the best condition, you’ll have to remove it and start fresh. If it’s in good shape, you can just re-shingle the roof during the conversion.
7. Slab Condition
If the concrete slab under your carport is not structurally sound, it may not meet current code requirements in regards to how well it will support framed walls. A contractor or engineer will determine if the current slab can bear the weight of added garage walls.
Contact AD Construction
Interested in consulting with our Beacon Hill contractors to convert a carport to a garage? We would be happy to help. Just contact us today at 877-345-BUILD.
