If you have two vehicles but no place to park them, building a double carport is something to consider. 

How much does a double carport cost in Australia? Well, the total price varies on the structure, materials and design. In general, though, the cost can start at $1,400 and go up to $6,000 or slightly more if you are getting a custom-made carport. 

Let’s dive in for a closer look at double carport prices.

What Is a Carport?

A carport is an open, roofed structure designed to house at least one vehicle. 

If you can’t afford a garage and you have been parking the car on the street, in the driveway or on the lawn, a carport is a great solution. 

Here are some of the benefits of having a carport:

  • Your car will stay in good condition, thereby increasing its value
  • The vehicle will be protected from direct exposure to the scorching Australian sun or heavy rainfall and hailstorms. Since a car service can cost hundreds of dollars, it is important to keep both the exterior and interior safe from the elements.
  • The car will be protected from debris, bird droppings and falling tree branches
  • It will keep the inside of your car cool during warm Australian summers
  • It will reduce the chances of your car getting broken into
  • A carport is cheaper than building a garage
  • Investing in a carport can help you save money on car insurance as some companies might reduce your premiums if you keep your car in a garage or carport instead of parking it on the street or in the driveway

Further reading: When do you pay excess on car insurance?

How Much Will a Double Carport Cost in Australia?

The actual cost of building a double carport in Australia depends on the size, type of roof, materials and whether you are getting a customised product or a carport kit. 

Here are the factors that affect the cost of a double carport.

1. Double carport kit vs custom-made carports

Carport kits are usually pre-cut and can be assembled and installed on-site.

They are much cheaper than customised structures—double carport kit prices range from $2,500 for low-quality products to $5,000 for more high-end models. 

If you have some construction skills, you could install the structure yourself, but be aware that the warranty might be void unless you hire a professional installer to set it up.

A custom job, on the other hand, would cost up to $20,000 depending on the complexity of the design and the number of features you want to be added.

A custom-made double carport comes with a higher price tag because they are built from the ground up and often features add-ons like roller doors, skylights, gutters, storage shelves or a workbench. You also have the last say in size, roof pitch and materials used, giving you more flexibility and design freedom which doesn’t come cheap. 

Interested in buying a car? Take a look at these helpful guides:When is the best time to buy a car in Australia? How much can I borrow for a car loan?

2. How much space does a double carport occupy?

According to Australian regulations on double carport size, the structure should be at least 4.8 metres wide and 5.4 metres long. Typically a double carport occupies an area of 6×6 metres, enough to house two vehicles. 

However, considering that every other Aussie car is an SUV, you might want to expand the space a bit. But bear in mind that the bigger the carport, the higher the cost. 

A bigger carport (in width or length) would add $4,000 to $6,000 to the overall cost. 

Tip: Determine how big you want the carport to be before contracting builders by considering the number of cars you want to park and their size. This will make it easier for builders to calculate the cost and give you an accurate quote. It will also help when applying for a building permit (if needed). 

3. Roof type & material

Whether you opt for a customised carport or go for a carport kit, you have a choice between a skillion, gable or flat roof design. 

The choice depends on your preferences and the area where you live. 70% of Australia may be considered a desert, but you could still see heavy rain in certain locations. If this is the case, go for a skillion or gabled roof rather than a flat roof as this will direct the water away from the carport. 

Typically, flat skillion roofs with galvanised steel cost between $2,000 and $2,500, whereas gable roofs range between $3,000 and $4,000. 

4. Materials

When it comes to materials, timber is the most budget-friendly option, but not always the best option for a carport. Colorbond steel should be your material of choice if you can afford it, while aluminium is best if you live on the coast as it is corrosion-resistant. 

Here is how much differences in material might cost you:

  • A galvanised steel kit: $1,400
  • A steel double carport kit with a skillion roof: $2,000–$2,500
  • A zincalume steel double carport with a flat/skillion roof: $2,800–$3,200
  • A steel double carport with a gable roof: $3,000–$4,000
  • A custom-built Colorbond steel carport: from $4k for a skillion roof
  • A custom-built Colorbond steel or aluminium carport: from $5,000 for a gabled roof reaching to $6,000 and over

Related reading:

  • How much does it cost to build a house in Australia
  • How much is a Granny Flat

5. Council approval

Most states and territories in Australia have specific rules regarding the construction of carports. You would typically be required to submit a building plan, confirming that your carport is at least 90 cm from the property line and not too close to the road. A building certifier might also have to approve the structure. 

This can add anywhere from $500 to $1,500 to the final bill. 

Whether you need approval from the local council depends on where you live. 

For instance, in South Australia, Victoria and the ACT you don’t need to apply for a building permit if the structure meets certain conditions (such as occupying less than 20 or 10 m2 or being lower than 3 metres). 

In other states and territories, like Tasmania and the Northern Territory, you must have approval to erect a carport, while in NSW and Queensland you need a building permit if the carport is constructed on certain types of properties. 

Tip: Make sure to check with your local council as to whether approval is needed, or ask your builder. If it is, look into what documentation you will need, the cost of the fee and what specifications you should stick to—the council may deem your carport illegal and tear it down if it doesn’t meet the required specs.

Did you know that the Northern Territory was the most expensive state for diesel and petrol cars in 2020?

6. Other Costs

In addition to buying the carport, there are other costs involved. These can include 

If excavation is needed before installing the carport: Costs tend to move between $70 and $150, with the average being $95 per hour for a bobcat

You need to install the double carport on a concrete slab the cost of which is $75 per square metre—simple concrete slabs cost $60 to $90, but you would need a thicker and sturdier slab that can bear the weight of the vehicles. 

Having a light in the carport is not a must although it can facilitate night-time parking. This can add another hundred to the final bill—electricians charge between $60 and $100 per hour.

Cost of installation: starting from $80 an hour 

Is it cheaper to build a carport or buy one?

DIY fans can choose to build a carport by themselves. You will need to pay around $3,000 in basic materials, plus the bolts, rafters, joist hangers and other parts which could result in a $5,000 bill which is the same cost as a high-end double carport kit. 

A builder can also help you with building permits and approvals. What’s more, some states and territories require that the carport is built or installed by a licensed builder or carpenter, so no chances of a DIY job there. 

How to choose a builder:

The best way is to get recommendations from friends and family. Even so, you need to make sure they have

  • Proper licences
  • Testimonials and positive reviews from previous work
  • Insurance
  • A warranty of at least 15 years

How to pay for your carport?

Taking time to consider the best way to pay for your new parking space is just as important as planning the structure.

Luckily, you have multiple options when it comes to covering the double carport cost in addition to paying for it out of your income and savings. 

If you don’t have the cash to spare, you can refinance your home loan or use a redraw facility (if you have one). Keep in mind though that it may not be worth restructuring your home loan for the construction of a carport alone—it might be a good idea to combine this with other home improvements. 

You could take out a personal loan, a very popular option in Australia. Lenders usually offer secured and unsecured personal loans, although they do tend to come with higher interest rates. 

Finally, you could pay for the carport with your credit card, but only if you are confident that you can repay the costs of your project every month. 

Final Words

A carport can be a great solution if you can’t park your vehicle in a garage. However, before you start building one, ensure that the building plans are in line with your council’s requirements for a similar structure. Do thorough research on builders in the area and compare quotes, taking the length of the warranty into consideration as well as the price. 

1. How long will it take to build a double carport?

Setting up a carport kit can take anywhere from 2 to 8 hours, but there are no set rules. It is not uncommon for issues to arise during the installation, so it’s best to set aside the entire day. 

If you are having a custom carport built, it should be completed in about five years.

2. Does the double carport come with any warranty?

Usually yes. Some double carports builders in Australia offer warranties of up to 30 years or even a lifetime warranty. Always check the length of the warranty before getting started. 

3. How can you customise a carport?

When it comes to customising the carport you can choose from a variety of colours (Colorbond is available in 22 colours), materials ( Colorbond, zincalume or galvanised steel), roof type (skillion, gable, dutch gable, flat, hip roof), type of structure (freestanding or fixed) and size.