How to Build a Carport

First things first, the right carport design. Keeping is simple and being consistent with the look of your house is a great start. Take lots of photos of both your house and carport with designs that you like. You can create a view of the finished project by mocking something up on your computer. These plans will next need to be submitted to your local council building department for approval. They will need to see several copies of your plans and lists of the building materials planned.

If you are lucky you may get approval over the counter, but it is in all liklihood going to take several weeks. All carport construction begins with the footings. The required depth will be specified by your building authority, and detailed in your design. Before you rush ahead and backfill with cement, make sure you have had the holes inspected by the local building authority. Make sure any posts sitting in the concrete are positined and braced before backfilling with cement. If you are seating the posts on metal stirrups then these can be plunged into the wet concrete

You carport posts will probably be made from timber or metal. If not already in the footings they need to be securely bolted to the stirrups. I recommend letting the cement in the footings set for a few days before anly sort of load is applyed. Your carport is now taking shape and the beams that connect the posts go in next. On top of those beams can be built the roof frame according to your plans. I reccommend a lightwight roof like metal sheeting. Your local authority may require you get a plumber to fit these sheets. It is much easier to put on your guttering first.