Building a carport... DIY?

So, I recently bought a house:
0.85-acre lot in the city
2600 sq ft heated
180 sq ft "one-car" garage (more like a UTV/Lawnmower/workshop garage. Can't open doors when parked inside)

I am only planning to stay in the house for 5-6 years max and then rent it out so keep that in mind.
The house previously had a 2 car garage but was converted to a den/bonus room (part of the 2600 sq ft heated now).

Here is where I plan to build a carport (house needs a lot of TLC, but got most of the inside done):


The red building is a shed with electricity if ya'll were curious.
Where the taco is currently at is where I plan to build the carport. It's basically a car park that is 21 ft wide by 19 ft deep (yup, it's wider than it is deep).

Building a carport made of wood not metal something easy for a DIY? I have some equipment for woodworking but only built small, simple stuff with them or repair some stuff in the house. How much would you think it cost to DIY vs hiring a contractor?
In Shreveport, Louisiana by the way.

 

Hiring it done will be significantly more expensive than DIY. If you have the fundamental skills, go for it. There might be some concerns about adequate footings, tho. Check your local codes.

 

Footings of the beam/post?
I was planning to place them outside of the slab. Will dig, place cement pillar(not sure what they are called) and anchor the post.

 

If you're not looking for anything fancy, just 3 walls and a shed roof, that's a pretty simple build. Contractor not required.

 

I don't even need the walls covered. I just need the roof so it can be covered from tree branches and bird poop.

 

Have you considered a metal premade carport? I see places selling them in the ballpark of what your selling for $1.5k or so.

 

@ZekeR7 www.versatube.com makes solid products

 

$1600, up in a day with a buddy, no design effort, and can just sit on that slab

 

It depends on your skills and the type of carport you want. If you need to build a simple one, I recommend doing it yourself and saving a lot of money on contractors. I’m sure that you will find tons of tutorials on YouTube.
It might be slightly more complicated if you would like to install a bigger carport with an insulated roof to keep the temperature under it significantly lower and provide additional protection from the sun. I have such a carport, and I needed help installing it. Thankfully the selling company provided me with some cheap workers who helped me install it fast and firm.

 

Thanks

 

Just curious as to which property has maintain the right of way to the utility pole?

 

Building a carport yourself may be more cost-effective than hiring a contractor, depending on the complexity of the project. Generally speaking, the cost for materials for a basic carport can range from $400-$800, while hiring a contractor may cost anywhere from $1000-$3000. If you are able to do most of the work yourself and only need to hire a contractor to help with the more complex aspects, this could drastically reduce the cost. Additionally, if you can get help from friends and family, this could also reduce the total cost.

Here's a tutorial on how to build a carport: https://www.backyardbases.com/blog/how-to-build-a-carport/

 

Measure twice, cut once ... pressure-treated 4x4s are too expensive to waste. A few good metal connectors to ensure corners will stand up to Gulf Coast winds even that far inland. Power drill with 3 batteries on site ... always 2 in the charger so fresh pack is always ready.

If you are not too experienced in woodworking techniques have someone onsite to teach you about kerf (circular/shopsaw blades cut 1/8 in of the wood and those little losses on length make things tilt. Cutting on measure line or to either side is important. Get used to having the circular or chopsaw running full speed when it cuts the wood or it might bind and when it binds bad things can happen.

But ... you can learn about all of the things in paragraph two quickly as you cut the wood ... it should not take hours.

Wear a mask (not these hoisted-on biohazard level masks everyone says you need, but just a low grade mask to keep the non-degrading-pressure-treated dust from being breathed enmasse. And remeber you are very active when building so masks that block dust but allow easy breathing is important. Safety glasses to keep shards and dust out of your eyes.

In the end ... you should be very proud of what you were able to create by hand, to your requirements for location/height/footprint/color. Also a kick-ass time.

 

All good stuff.

A little known manufacturing trick to real precision. An underrated skill. I highly recommend learning that one.

 

I even recommend making a "mistake ridden" box from 2x4s. Not large, 18 in -ish each side. Cut to on, to the left, to the right of kerf ... intentionally try to make the thing warped. You learn more from mistakes than success, and making mistakes you learn much.

More method-mistake tips, if you want them. When drilling though wood with wider bits (3/8+, definitely with spade-bits (yes that is a technical name becasue it resembles a spade/shovel and useful for larger holes) ... entry cut is usually smooth. But the exit can easily "explode" and leave splinters. To make the exit hole smooth you clamp another piece of wood in the place it will exit so the the actual exit is not the other side of your piece but the on the other side of your clamped/scrap piece.

 

I've built my share of garages/shops/barns, but for a simple carport, it is hard to beat the (relatively) inexpensive, zero-maintenance, metal carports available all over.

A quick Google and here's an example of a 20x20 for $1700 (includes delivery and installation):



Depending on your skill level, building something similar with materials found at the box store would be difficult (20' clear span would require trusses or large/heavy/expensive dimensional lumber (2x12)) and in the end, probably not save you any $$$.

Nice looking lot. Good luck to you.

 

I'm willing to bet building one out of wood will be more expensive than the 20x20 steel one posted above.

 

Television ads post the promise of "no reasonable offer refused" on old inventory of these prefabricated metal structures. I guess they do not like the inventory-carrying cost.