Turning a Carport into a Garage
Carports are a popular way to shelter vehicles, especially in warmer climates. While they are inexpensive to build due to the lack of walls, they offer less security and utility than garages. Garages can be locked to store bicycles, sporting goods, lawn equipment, and other household items. If you're considering converting your carport into a fully functional garage or enclosing it instead, here are some essential factors to consider.
Turning a carport into a garage can be more affordable than building a new garage from scratch, especially if the existing slab, support posts, and roof are in good condition. On average, you should spend between $9,000 and $11,000 on labor to have a carpenter finish the walls and install doors. When you add the costs for framing lumber, siding, windows, a garage door, an entry door, electrical upgrades, permits, and dumpster fees, the total for professional installation can range from $18,000 to $35,000. If you're handy, you can cut these costs in half by doing some of the work yourself, but hiring a professional for the garage door installation is best.
While converting a carport to an enclosed garage can be a successful project under the right conditions, it's essential to consider all aspects before seeking estimates or deciding to tackle the project on your own.
Check Local Building Codes and HOA Regulations
Before starting your project, check if it's allowed and what permits you need. Your local building code or homeowners' association (HOA) may have specific garage rules. For instance, attaching a garage to your house will likely require a fire-rated wall and a fire-rated door leading into the home.
Evaluate the Current Carport Structure
Suppose your carport has a sturdy shingled or tiled roof, and the support posts are in good condition. In that case, you can convert it into a usable garage. However, the support posts must be fixed, leaning, or too small. In that case, making the conversion with significant repairs is feasible. The better the condition and sturdiness of the carport, the more likely your conversion will succeed.
Measure the Slab
A garage should be at least 20 feet deep and 10 feet wide for one car or 18.5 feet for two vehicles. For added comfort, consider increasing these dimensions by 2 to 4 feet. Oversized garages are becoming more common, so consider expanding the slab to create a bigger space if there's enough roof overhang.
Check the Height
Ensure there's enough space for a horizontal header above the garage door opening. When you convert a carport into a garage, you need an intense beam, or header, across the opening. A regular garage door needs an opening that measures 8.1 feet high and is supported by a double-thick 2-by-8 or 2-by-12 header. If your current carport needs to be taller for this, you could face significant costs to raise the roof.
Consider the Carport's Roofline
Carports typically have a gable roof, an inverted V-shape, or a shed roof. Visualize how the converted space will look with the existing roof. A shed roof might work well for an open carport, but it can look strange or unattractive once enclosed as a garage.
Check the Condition of the Roof
If you want to keep the current roof, ask a contractor, home inspector, or structural engineer to check it and evaluate its condition. If the roof is in bad shape, remove it and start your garage project from scratch. However, if the roof structure is still decent, you could re-shingle it as part of the conversion.
Check the Condition of the Slab
Is the concrete slab under your carport in good condition? Are the footings wide and deep enough? While the surface may seem fine, the perimeter foundation may not meet current code requirements for supporting framed walls. You should address this when you apply for a holding permit. A structural engineer or concrete contractor can inspect your slab and determine if it can support garage walls.
Plan for Mechanical Services
Decide in advance how you'll supply electrical service to the garage. All garages need some form of electrical service. If you plan to use the space as a workshop, you may need to install new circuits or an electrical subpanel. Before starting the conversion, consult a plumber to add plumbing for a laundry area or other uses.
Suppose the answers to these considerations are primarily favorable. In that case, it's time to talk to a builder about the costs of converting your carport. It's also wise to get quotes for a complete teardown of the carport and construct a new garage to ensure that conversion is the best choice.