Carport Costs in the UK: How Much Does Carport Installation Cost?

Quick Cost Breakdown:

• A basic single-bay DIY carport kit costs between £1,200 and £2,000.
• Professional single-bay installation typically runs £2,500-£4,000, including labour and a standard roof.
• Most carports fall under permitted development, meaning no planning permission is needed.

Carport Installation Cost Contents

1. Carport Cost Overview
2. Carport Costs by Type and Size
3. Carport Roofing Options and Costs
4. DIY vs Professional Carport Build
5. Carport vs Garage: Which Is Best?
6. Carport Maintenance Costs and Warranties
7. How to Find Carport Installation on MyBuilder
8. FAQ: Common Questions about Carport Costs

Carport Cost Overview

A carport sits somewhere between an overhead shelter and a garage. It is open on the sides, covered overhead, and far cheaper to build than a fully enclosed structure for your car.

For most homeowners, it is the most practical way to keep a car dry without committing to a major construction.

The table below gives a broad overview of typical costs for the most common carport configurations in the UK:

Carport Type	Average Cost Range
Single-bay DIY kit (self-installed)	£1,200 - £2,000
Single-bay professional installation	£2,500 - £4,000
Double-bay professional installation	£4,000 - £6,000
Lean-to carport (attached to house)	£1,000 - £2,500
Wooden carport (single bay)	£1,200 - £2,500

The labour of installing a new carport typically runs at £150-£200 per day for a builder, with roof installation adding £50-£100 per square metre.

These figures are a starting point - the actual cost for your project will depend on groundwork, access, your choice of materials, and where you are living in the UK. London and the South East tend to sit at the upper end of the ranges above.

If you want to get a more specific idea of how much your carport will cost, just post your job on MyBuilder. It’s the easy way to find local carport builders near you, request and compare quotes.

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Carport Costs by Type and Size

There are a few different styles of carport, and the type you choose has a significant impact on the overall bill.

The difference between the cheapest and most expensive options is not always obvious from the outside, a lean-to and a double-bay freestanding structure can look similar in photos but sit at very different ends of the cost spectrum.

Lean-To Carports

These attach directly to an existing wall - usually the side of the house or a garage - which means they need fewer structural supports and less groundwork.

This makes them the most affordable option, typically starting from around £1,000. The downside is that the attachment point needs to be structurally sound, and you may need a builder to assess the wall before starting.

Freestanding Single-Bay Carports

The most popular choice. They stand independently and can be positioned anywhere on the driveway. Professionally installed, expect to pay £2,500-£4,000 for a standard 3m x 5m structure. Larger or more bespoke designs will sit at the higher end.

Double-Bay Carports

Double bay carports accommodate two vehicles side by side. They share some structural elements, which brings costs down slightly per bay, but the overall outlay is higher - typically £4,000 - £6,000 with professional installation.

Corner or Wraparound Carports

These are less common but increasingly popular on larger properties. These are essentially L-shaped structures and are almost always custom-built, pushing costs upward of £5,000-£8,000 depending on size and materials.

Different Carport Materials

When it comes to materials, timber and steel are the two main frame options. Timber is generally the more popular choice for residential builds - it looks good, blends with most properties, and is easy to work with.

Steel or aluminium frames are lower maintenance, more resistant to rot, and can be slightly cheaper on materials, though they can look more industrial depending on the finish.

If your carport project involves more substantial building work, such as a attached structure or an extended base, our house extension cost guide covers the overlapping costs in detail.

Carport Roofing Options and Costs

The roof is one of the biggest variables in carport pricing. The choice of roofing material affects both the upfront cost and how much maintenance you will be doing in five or ten years' time.

• Polycarbonate roofing is the most popular choice for modern carports. It is lightweight, lets in natural light, and is reasonably priced at £30-£55 per square metre for materials. It does not last as long as solid roofing materials - expect 10–15 years before it starts to yellow or crack.

• Corrugated metal sheeting is a durable and cost-effective option, particularly for timber-framed or lean-to carports. Materials run at £15-£30 per square metre, and it is straightforward for a builder to install. Galvanised steel and aluminium are both good choices - steel is stronger but heavier; aluminium is lighter and rust-proof.

• Felt or EPDM rubber flat roofing is more common on bespoke or timber carports with a flat or very low-pitched deck. A quality EPDM rubber membrane can last 25+ years and is significantly more robust than traditional felt. Materials and installation together typically cost £50–£100 per square metre.

• Tiled or slate roofing is the premium option, usually seen on carports that are designed to match the style of the main house. The cost reflects this - expect to pay £80–£150 per square metre installed, with labour from hiring a roofer adding to the total.

Note:: Roof choice is also important. A pitched or gabled roof will cost more to build than a flat or mono-pitch design, but it handles rain and snow loading better and tends to look more considered as part of the property.

DIY vs Professional Carport Build

The appeal of a DIY carport kit is obvious. Manufacturers sell ready-to-assemble kits from around £1,200-£2,000 for a single bay, and the instructions are usually straightforward.

The hidden cost: groundwork

Most kits assume you already have a flat, level base. If you do not - and most driveways are not perfectly level - you will need to pour a concrete slab or lay compacted hardcore before the frame goes up. That alone can add £50-£100 per square metre to the budget, and it usually requires a separate contractor. See the full guide on laying a concrete slab.

What does professional installation add?

Adding a professional adds £500-£1,500 to the overall cost of a kit-built carport, but it includes groundwork assessment, correct anchoring to the base, and a finish significantly more likely to stand up to a UK winter.

For bespoke timber or steel builds, professional installation is effectively mandatory - these are not kit structures.

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Carport vs Garage: Which Is Best?

For most homeowners, the choice between a carport and a garage comes down to three things: budget, space, and how much security you need for your vehicle.

A garage offers a full enclosure - four walls, a door, and the option to use the space for storage, a workshop, or even a home office conversion down the line. That versatility comes at a price.

A basic single-car brick-built garage typically costs £15,000-£25,000 to build from scratch, which is three to six times the cost of a comparable carport. If budget is the primary consideration, a carport is the clear winner.

The table below covers the key differences:

Carport	Garage
£2,500 - £4,000	£15,000 - £25,000
Planning permission rarely required	Planning permission usually required
Build time 1 – 3 days	Build time several weeks
Open-sided	Fully enclosed

One practical middle ground worth considering is a carport with a lockable side panel or gate. This adds a layer of security without the cost of full enclosure, and it still falls under permitted development in most cases. Costs for this type of addition typically run £300-£800 depending on the material and size of the panel.

If you are undecided, it is worth getting quotes for both on MyBuilder and comparing them. The gap in cost may be larger or smaller than you expect depending on your plot and local labour rates.

Maintenance Costs and Warranties

A well-built carport should need very little attention in the first few years, but some routine upkeep will extend its life considerably - and knowing what to expect helps you factor ongoing costs into your decision.

Timber carports need the most maintenance. Softwood frames should be treated with preservative or restained every two to three years, at a cost of around £8-£15 per litre for a good-quality exterior stain.

Metal and aluminium frames are far lower maintenance. Powder-coated finishes are durable, though surface scratches should be touched up promptly to prevent rust on steel frames. An annual wash down with a hose and mild detergent is usually all that is needed.

On warranties: Often, manufacturers offer a 10-25-year structural warranty, though this is usually conditional on professional installation. Builder labour warranties tend to run 1-2 years.

Always ask for warranty terms in writing before work starts, and check specifically what is excluded, most warranties do not cover surface finishes, guttering, or roofing materials separately from the frame.

How to Find Carport Installation on MyBuilder

Posting your job on MyBuilder takes a couple of minutes. Describe what you need, and we'll match you with local builders who are available and interested in your job.

You can also browse photos of completed carport and outbuilding projects on MyBuilder to see real examples of the standard of work from local builders before making a decision.

All tradespeople on MyBuilder undergo checks at registration - such as ID documents, company details, certifications for regulated jobs and skill assessments - allowing you to hire with confidence.

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FAQ: Common Questions about Carport Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Wooden Carport in the UK?

A timber-framed single-bay carport costs between £1,200 and £2,500 for materials, with professional installation adding £500-£1,500 on top depending on groundwork and complexity. Hardwood frames sit at the upper end of this range; softwood (pressure-treated) is more affordable and is the most commonly specified option for residential carports.

Do I Need Planning Permission for a Lean-to Carport?

In most cases, no. A lean-to carport attached to the side or rear of a house typically falls under permitted development, provided it does not exceed 4 metres in height, covers less than half the land around the original house, and is not forward of the front elevation. If your property is in a conservation area or has any Article 4 restrictions, you should check with your local planning authority before starting work.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Carport?

A straightforward single-bay carport on an existing flat base typically takes 1-3 days to erect. If groundwork is required, laying a concrete slab or levelling a sloped drive, add another 1-2 days before the frame goes up. Bespoke or double-bay structures may take 3-5 days in total.

You can browse before-and-after photos of completed carport projects on MyBuilder to get a sense of scope and finish before choosing your builder.

Is a Carport Worth the Money?

For most homeowners, yes. A carport protects your vehicle from UV damage, bird mess, and frost, which can reduce wear on paintwork and save money on maintenance over time. It also adds a degree of kerb appeal and can make a property more attractive to buyers.

The return on investment will vary depending on the quality of the build and local property values, but a well-built timber carport typically adds more to a property than it costs.

Can I Convert a Carport Into a Garage?

Yes, though it is effectively a separate building project. Adding walls and a door to an existing open-sided carport structure is possible, but the original frame may not be rated to support the additional loads involved.

A builder will need to assess whether the existing structure can be used as a starting point or whether it is more cost-effective to demolish and start from scratch. Converting a carport to an enclosed garage will almost certainly require planning permission and may also require building regulations approval.