Building a carport: Costs, materials and what you need to consider during construction
- 1. What does a carport cost?
- 2. Price range by design
- 3. Individual costs for a carport
- 4. DIY vs. professional construction
- 5. Carport or garage?
- 6. The different materials in comparison
- 7. Planning a carport
- 8. Do you need a building permit?
- 9. Common planning mistakes
- 10. Why a carport is a worthwhile investment
A carport is much more than just a covered parking space. It protects your car from hail, snow, UV radiation and falling branches and can also be an aesthetic upgrade for your property. Many owners consciously choose a carport instead of a garage because it is cheaper, quicker to build and much more flexible to use. In addition, modern carports are ideal as a support surface for a solar system and can even actively produce energy. To help you plan realistically, here is a transparent overview of the costs, the different designs, current material trends and the most important points relating to building permits, statics and functionality.
What does a carport cost?
For most builders, the central question is quite simple: *What costs do I realistically have to expect?* Carports are significantly cheaper than garages, but the price depends heavily on the material, size, construction and type of installation. The following guide values are based on typical Swiss market prices and offer you a solid orientation.
Price range by design
Depending on the construction, the costs differ considerably. Wood is the cheapest, metal is the most durable – and special solutions are in the upper price segment.
Wooden carport (cheapest option): CHF 4,000 – 10,000
Ideal for single-family homes, easy to assemble, natural look. Looks warmer, but requires regular maintenance.
Metal carport (aluminum/steel): CHF 6,000 – 18,000
Very robust, easy to maintain, long service life and perfectly suited for regions with high snow loads.
Double carport: CHF 8,000 – 20,000
For two vehicles, with wider foundations and reinforced construction.
Premium carport with design roof, glass or equipment room: up to CHF 30,000
Architectural solutions, often individually manufactured – maximum comfort and high increase in value.
Individual costs explained in an understandable way
To help you understand how the total price is made up, it is worth taking a look at the most important cost components. Many underestimate foundation and installation costs in particular.
Foundation
A carport must be stable even in snow, wind and storms. Point foundations or a concrete base typically cost CHF 2,000 – 4,000 depending on size. The foundation is usually a little more solid for metal carports.
Posts & construction
The biggest price driver is the material: wood costs significantly less, but requires maintenance. Aluminum and steel are almost maintenance-free and last for decades. The stronger the construction (e.g. in snow load zones), the higher the price.
Roofing
There are large price differences between simple polycarbonate sheets and high-quality metal or glass roofing. A green roof or a solar carport also increase the total price.
Installation
Professional installation typically costs CHF 2,000 – 4,000. More for special constructions or locations that are difficult to access. Specialist companies also take care of statics, anchoring and precise alignment.
Additional options
Many carports are supplemented with practical elements – for example, side walls, equipment compartments, LED lighting or integrated charging stations for electric cars. Such options can increase the price by several thousand francs.
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DIY vs. professional construction – a realistic comparison
Many hardware stores offer inexpensive kits that can theoretically be assembled yourself. This saves you several thousand francs – but only if you are experienced in DIY and have the right tools.
A DIY carport makes sense if you know the static requirements, already have experience in wood or metal construction and can organize enough time and helpers.
What many underestimate: Assembly is physically demanding, and even small errors in the foundation or anchoring can later lead to significant damage. Specialist companies not only guarantee a safe construction, but also take care of snow load calculations, building permits and long-term stability.
Carport or garage? Your decision-making aid
Whether a carport or a garage makes more sense today depends less on weather and space issues, but increasingly also on energy efficiency, vehicle type and flexible use. A carport is significantly cheaper to build and maintain, requires less space and ensures dry vehicles thanks to natural ventilation – an advantage that increases the service life of the bodywork. For electric cars, a carport can also be easily combined with a charging station and, if the roof is load-bearing, expanded with a small PV system, which makes charging particularly cheap.
A garage, on the other hand, offers greater all-round protection, for example against theft or damage from martens, and is better suited as an additional storage or hobby room. However, it is significantly more expensive, more complex in terms of building law and energetically less favorable because heat or moisture can quickly build up. If you mainly want to protect your vehicle from the weather and at the same time value a good cost-benefit ratio, you are usually better off with a carport. However, if you need maximum security and closed storage space, you will benefit from a garage – or a combined solution of both worlds.
Advantages of a carport:
● Lower construction costs
● Better ventilation
● Quicker to set up
● Flexible to use
● Less heat in summer
● Less space required
● Ideally suited for photovoltaics
● Low maintenance
Disadvantages of a carport:
● Less protection against theft and martens
● Weather protection not 100% complete
● Less storage space
● Wooden carports require regular maintenance
The different carport materials in comparison
Wood – warm, natural, attractively priced
Wooden carports have a homely effect and can be designed in a variety of colors. They are usually cheaper, but require regular maintenance and should be of high quality impregnated so that moisture and UV radiation do not damage the material.
Aluminum – light, modern, low-maintenance
Aluminum carports are corrosion-free, durable and almost maintenance-free. They have a filigree effect, are available in many RAL colors and are ideal if a modern design and minimal maintenance are desired.
Steel – extremely load-bearing and ideal for photovoltaics
Steel structures are particularly stable and can withstand high snow loads, making them perfect for solar systems or green roofs. They are more expensive, but offer the highest robustness and service life.
Hybrid carports (wood + metal) – the combination of comfort and stability
This construction combines the warm look of wood with the structural stability of metal. They are versatile and offer a good balance of price, design and durability.
Sustainable materials – Swiss wood & recycled aluminum
If you value environmental compatibility, you can use FSC-certified Swiss wood or recycled aluminum. These materials reduce the ecological footprint without sacrificing quality or stability.
How do you plan a carport correctly?
Planning a carport begins with choosing the optimal location. Ideally, the shelter is close to the house, easily accessible and positioned so that snow, leaves and wind do not directly hit the vehicle. The direction also plays a role – especially if a photovoltaic system is to be installed later.
Another important factor is the snow load. In Switzerland, different load values apply depending on the altitude, which is why the load-bearing capacity of the roof must always be calculated correctly. The same applies to wind pressure: Open structures are more exposed and require a stable construction with secure post anchors.
In addition, cantonal and municipal distance rules must be observed. Many municipalities prescribe certain boundary distances or require special fire protection measures for extensions to the residential building. Anyone who consults with the building authorities at an early stage avoids delays.
Modern carports are now often combined with an e-charging station. This requires an adequate power supply, a suitable place for charging cables and protection by a qualified electrician. If this is integrated into the planning right from the start, you can save on conversion costs later and make the carport future-proof.
Do you need a building permit for a carport?
In Switzerland, the following generally applies: As soon as a carport is permanently connected to the ground, a building permit is required. The exact limit values (height, area) differ depending on the municipality, so it is worth clarifying this with the building authorities in advance. The authority usually requires a site plan, information on the foundation and the distances to the property boundary.
Common mistakes when building a carport and how to avoid them
Many problems arise from incorrect material selection or inaccurate planning. The snow load is often underestimated, which leads to unstable roofs. Unsuitable wood, insufficient headroom or poorly executed foundations are also typical stumbling blocks. The required distance to the property boundary is also often ignored. Anyone who takes these points into account early on prevents expensive rework and trouble with the building authorities.
Why a carport is a worthwhile investment
A carport is a flexible, space-saving and, compared to a garage, significantly cheaper solution to reliably protect vehicles from weather, UV radiation and snow loads. Thanks to modern materials, optional e-charging stations and the option of retrofitting a solar system later, it offers a high level of future security. Anyone who deals with the location, load-bearing capacity, cantonal requirements and the choice of the right material at an early stage avoids typical planning errors and receives a durable, stable construction that increases the value of the property. A professionally planned construction saves time, avoids risks – and pays off in the long term.
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