A Guide to Carports

Whilst garages are a popular way to store and protect your vehicles, Carports make a fantastic alternative.

Carports tend to be a much more cost effective way of giving your vehicles protection, are easier to assemble and have more flexibility over where it can be located.

Does a Carport Add Value?

Buying a carport can be an expensive outlay, and you’ll be unable to take it with you when you move home.

We reached out to a local Estate Agent covering Shropshire to find out if adding one to your home would increase its value:

Garage’ is currently the most searched for keyword on Rightmove, yet a common phrase I hear from homeowners when visiting them for the first time is ‘”Please excuse the garage as it’s just full of junk, I never put the car in there”. 

These days, it’s very unusual for people to keep a car in their garage. Generally, they are just used for storage and we’re increasingly seeing conversions to create a utility or another reception room. Converting a garage in to extra living space will likely increase the value of your property, but will leave you with problems when it comes to fitting baby seats or carrying shopping in the rain!

With these trends in mind, carports are fast becoming a popular, cost effective method to help those who want to maximise both the internal and external space offered by their property. Whilst they won’t necessarily add value to your home, modern carports combine attractive features with practical applications – which can really help with saleability!

Sean O’Brien  FNAEA MARLA
Valuer & Sales Negotiator – Barbers

Whilst not adding physical value, increasing the saleability means people will be more inclined to book a viewing of your home. This could then lead to multiple competitive offers, which may drive up the selling price of your home.

Do Carports Need Planning Permission?

Before buying a carport we recommend contacting your local planning authority to ensure you can assemble one on your property. Constructing anything on your property without first consulting your local authority can lead to extensive fines or an order to remove the assembled product/building. We take a further look at planning permissions in a previously posted blog.

Sean O’Brien, of Barbers Estate Agents advised us that in the case of carports, planning authorities can be quite flexible when it comes to planning applications. This could be a much more straightforward process compared to applying for permission to add a garage to your home.

Do Carports Protect Cars?

Whilst typically having open sides, for example the Arizona Breeze Carport by Palram, they still offer your car or vehicles protection:

• Shade: Being under a carport will help reduce any paint fading from your vehicle due to the effect of the sun’s UV rays.
• Weather Protection: Your vehicle will be shielded from hailstones and other adverse weather or falling debris
• Reduce Snow and Ice: Carports help to reduce the likelihood of your car becoming covered in snow, or your windows becoming laden with ice.

Another factor is that you may find it safer entering or leaving your car whilst under a carport, compared to on an open drive or in front of your property.