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To enclose your carport, you’ll need to budget for the site prep, slab installation (if you don’t already have one), cost of building exterior walls (which depends on the type of siding you choose), and the cost to install a garage door (which averages about $1,100). You'll also need to think about adding windows and electricity to make the space truly functional.

Adding a carport could increase your home’s resale value if undervalued in your neighborhood. Consider building a garage instead if you’re interested in increasing your home’s resale value. Building a garage costs about $30,000 and has an estimated return on investment (ROI) of 80%. 

“Some municipalities require adding a carport in order to allow converting the existing garage into inhabitable space or a living unit, but on its own, the increased value of a carport would not be significantly more than the cost of the carport itself,” says Ezra Laniado, Expert Review Board member and owner of Landmark Construction & Development Group Inc. in Los Angeles. 

A prefab two-car carport typically requires at least 16 hours of work to install, so a team of four experienced installers should be able to do it in four hours. If, however, you want to lay a concrete slab, the team must grade the area, put the form in place, and pour the concrete. After which, it needs at least a day to set enough for foot traffic and cure for 10 days before you can drive even light vehicles across it. For larger vehicles like pickups and RVs, the slab needs a full 28 days to cure.

Check with your local municipality to see if you need a building permit for your carport. If required, be sure to budget for building permit costs. Permits and HOA rules might regulate the size, style, and location of your new carport. Regulations vary by state and can differ significantly between neighboring counties or neighborhoods. 

“While many municipalities don’t require a permit in order to add a carport, more affluent neighborhoods may be more likely to heavily regulate adding carports in order to maintain a certain standard throughout the neighborhood,” says Ezra Laniado. “Similarly, your HOA would be more likely to regulate the use of carports in order to preserve a homogenous community.”

Need a carport on a budget? If you're a seasoned handyman, you could save money by assembling a prefab carport on your own, with some help. Leave tasks like electrical work or pouring a foundation to licensed contractors. Compare quotes from local concrete installers and nearby electricians to get the best price.

The best carport design for your home depends a great deal on the site and your budget. Talk to your carport retailer or builder about what’s best for your lot and needs. If you have only one car and limited space, a single-car carport attached to your home is a smart, cost-effective, space-saving solution. If you've got the space and more than one car and want to make your carport into a feature of your property, choose a larger freestanding model and get a custom design that complements the look of your home