Anyone built a cheap metal carport?

[shooterdon]

You can buy carports that include delivery and installation for less than you pay for kits at big box stores. I suggest looking at those. The catch to the advertised price is changes or add ons (such as taller legs and earth anchors) are super expensive. The popular promo is 20x20 which is perfect for your need. When you choose one,take measurments from a model then do the prep before having it delivered and installed. 8"x16"x2" concrete blocks on ground topped with 8x8x16 concrete blocks topped with treated 2x boards. Mobile home anchors are overkill but not that much more expensive than backyard playset anchor kits which are more than ample. To convince yourself how well they work,screw a small earth anchor in and try pulling it out with your 7100. Furnish 5/16ths lag bolts for going through rail into board.

Did not read the rest of the thread. This is what I plan on doing. You cannot build something better for less money. The company here is AllSteelCarports. All I need to supply is a level place. The structure is done in less than a day and has a warranty.

 

[SirMaxwell]

Posted this to another thread:

2 - Steel 'lean to' trusses (1/12 or 2/12) 20ft
16 - 2x6'sx16
4 - 6x6x16
5 - Steel Roof Panels 3 x 22
8 - Baqs Cement
Bolts, nuts, and roofing screws

One weekend, with your buddy and a tractor to help. 15 x 22 ft Tractor Shed, Up to 14ft tall. :cool2:

Benefits are price, strength, ground does not need to be perfectly level, and someday if you want, add sides etc.

Take the list and call an actual contractor building supply, not the box stores. Depending on location, cost would be 1-1.5K, with 40yr roofing, proper treated 6x's.

If you get one of those light pre-mades, definitely add 3 or 4 helical tie downs per side. Cheap, and worth every penny.

 

[Travelover]

OP here. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm still tracking down various leads.

The two big kit suppliers are Versatube and Arrow. I can buy the size I want from Arrow at my local Home Depot for $850 but with 7 foot legs, 2"x2". Versatube sells the leg extensions direct for $80 for a set including shipping. Both companies advertise the legs as 2 inch. Is it likely that extensions from one company would fit the other's? Seems like wall thickness would be the same .

 

[Sawyer Rob]

If I was going to build, I'd do a simple pole shed with 4x4s on 6-8' centers, then roof from there. But with the price of lumber and roof metal these days, I'm not sure there'd be any cost advantage.

Then you would pay property taxes on it, the car ports are NOT taxable, because it's not considered a permeant structure.

SR

 

[Travelover]

You can buy carports that include delivery and installation for less than you pay for kits at big box stores. I suggest looking at those. The catch to the advertised price is changes or add ons (such as taller legs and earth anchors) are super expensive. .....

I followed up on your tip and found a local place that will install one with the right height(9 feet) for $20 over the Home Depot kit price. Supposedly it includes the anchors. Can't beat that.

 

[oosik]

I started with a single bay carport. I expanded it into a four bay carport. Then I built a larger single bay - for the tractor. They are all made with 4" x 4" treated square post material. The four bay ended costing $1200. The single bay was $750.

The pictures are better than my words. View attachment 593210View attachment 593211


All the rafters on the four bay are doubled 2x4's every 16". The rafters on the single are 2x12 every 24". The whole seebang has been up now for 35+ years. Even with our snow loads here - never had a problem - never had to pull accumulated snow load off any of the roofs.

Three of the roofs on the four bay are aluminum - the far left bay is steel. If I were to do it again. All four roofs would be steel. Snow slides easily off the steel roofs. Not so much so on the aluminum roofs. The big single has a steel roof.

The four bay was intentionally designed as a "gull wing". Idea being - easier for the snow to slide off. It doesn't help even a little bit. Just a potentially brilliant idea the wasn't so really brilliant.

 

[Diggin It]

Did not read the rest of the thread. This is what I plan on doing. You cannot build something better for less money. The company here is AllSteelCarports. All I need to supply is a level place. The structure is done in less than a day and has a warranty.

I checked some listings on those this morning before seeing your post. I've also been checking some local suppliers/installers. In general for the size I'm considering (24x40, 8' walls, two 8' wide doors), they want around $10K. I know I can do it for less, maybe half of that. And I can do it on my time, bit by bit as money is available. I don't have to commit to that amount in full.

Then you would pay property taxes on it, the car ports are NOT taxable, because it's not considered a permeant structure.

SR

That's a location issue. Not everyone suffers those draconian rules.

 

[Diggin It]

The more free standing open carports like the OP is asking about can be had installed for something like $1K or less. They also sell them in kit form for around $700 for the most basic versions.

 

[oosik]

I WISH they didn't tax carports here. However, such is not the case. I think they would tax my mountain tent if it were erected when they look at their annual aerial photos. Yes, here in Spokane Co they most definitely tax carports.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

That's a location issue. Not everyone suffers those draconian rules.

I'd bet over 99% of the folks on here that own land, pay property tax. Build something on that property, and the tax goes up...

You just can't get around that draconian rule...

SR