How much does a double carport cost? [2024]

Do you have more than one car and need to keep them under shelter? Street parking in many areas of Australia is difficult to find, double garages are expensive to build and parking on the lawn does severe damage to the grass.

If you don't want the expense of a garage a double carport may be the perfect solution. The first question on your mind is how much it is all going to cost? Like many projects, there is no short answer, but you can get a rough idea by looking at the materials, size and design of your carport.

The cost of a double carport depends on a few things such as the materials used and whether it's a DIY project or you hire a professional. A good starting point for cost estimates is:

• $1,400 for a galvanised steel double carport kit
• $4,000 for a custom-built Colorbond steel double carport with a skillion roof
• $6,000+ for a custom-built aluminium or Colorbond steel double carport with a gable roof

Factors determining a carport's cost

The true carport cost depends on a few factors. One is labour -- a DIY kit is cheaper to put up yourself than paying a professional.

If you are going to hire someone to build your carport, here are a few questions to ask to help shape your quote:

• What materials do you want?
• Does it need a concrete slab?
• Is any excavation needed?
• Does it need electricity?
• Is it going to be integrated into the house design?
• What council fees and building approvals are required?

You also need to realise that a carport can be a simple, standalone structure or you can have it integrated into your home. In general, a double carport measures about 6m x 6m (or 36 square metres). If it needs a concrete slab, the slab should be thick enough to bear the weight of the cars. A simple concrete slab costs between $60 and $90 per square metre. Since the slab will need to be thicker than a slab for a pathway, the cost could be on the higher end of the scale: between $2500 and $3000. If excavation is needed, this will be an extra cost to budget for.

Having electricity in the carport can help at night. Electricians cost between $60 and $100 per hour, but they also charge call out fees for smaller jobs. You may want lighting inside the carport and may want automated lighting outside the carport that will turn on when a vehicle or person approaches the carport. If the carport is integrated into the house design, the cost will depend on the materials and roofing used.

How much does a double carport cost?

To have a double carport installed you can expect to pay anywhere from $1000 up to $6000 or more, just for the carport itself. 

As we mentioned other costs you need to budget for include:

• Surface preparation
• A cement slab
• Installation
• Council fees
• Building permit

Council fees and a building permit could amount to up to around $500 in some areas of Australia. In most cases, you'll also need to submit a plan to council because regulations are in place regarding the placement of carports. In some instances, a building certifier will have to approve the structure. Their charges can be as high as $1000. Council can tell you what costs are involved in your area.

Depending on what roofing you choose to have for your carport, this can change the cost significantly. A skillion roof can increase the cost of the carport to $2000-$2500. Custom roofing will always cost more. There are also options for gable, flat, and hip roof designs. Timber is more inexpensive, compared to the more expensive Colorbond, Zincalum or galvanised steel. 

Also be aware that a custom carport will cost more than a kit carport. How much will depend on the materials and the complexity of the job. A timber carport with a gabled roof might cost $6000+ (depending on the roof and the complexity of the design). Painting the carport will cost more and if the roof is tiled, the cost will be higher. Tiled roofs are more expensive and the carport may need to be built stronger to carry the weight of the tiles. A brick carport will cost more than a timber carport. The cost will depend on the amount of brickwork needed.

Council approvals for carports

In Australia, carports need to meet certain regulations regarding their size, location, distance from other structures/the street and their appearance. Make sure that you check on your local requirements before you commit to any design. You may need to get a council permit to build a carport depending on its cost and size. You may also need a building permit.

Depending on which state you live in, your carport builder could be a licensed builder or carpenter. Check what applies where you live, so your carport gets built to the correct spec.

Turning a carport into a garage

On the face of things, a carport is the quicker and easier choice in the carport vs garage debate. There are, however, extra benefits to be found from having a garage, including increased security and extra storage.

If you'd ideally want to have a garage but your budget doesn't extend to one at the moment, you can build your carport with the idea of upgrading it in the future. With the right pre-planning and designs in place, it's possible to convert a carport to garage later down the line.