Both protect your vehicle, but an enclosed garage provides better security and usability than an open carport.
Building a carport is cheaper than a new garage because carports do have their limitations. An enclosed garage offers your car better protection, extra storage space and enhances property value. Converting your carport is no small project and needs careful planning. Converting your carport into a garage is more cost-effective than building a new garage from scratch. If you are thinking about carport to garage conversion, here's what you will need to do.
Check local regulations
Measure all necessary sizing requirements
Prepare the foundation
Construct the walls
Install the garage doors and and any windows
Wall insulation and interior decoration
Exterior finishing
A carport to garage conversion is a major project. The actual cost depends on design, size, material, labour, and inclusions such as heavy insulation and electronic garage doors. Also, consider location, practicality, purpose, and the permit before proceeding.
For a standard garage, the cost will range between $8,000 to $10,000. If you want a bigger one that can fit two cars, it will cost you double. Price increases depend on the quality of material used and if you use similar bricks to your house it will be costly.
Apart from material and labour, you incur extra cost for either renting a dumpster and hiring tools, among other necessities. Again, garages need interior cladding, doors, lighting, and security locks.
The total cost for a carport to garage conversion can be anywhere between $15,000 to $65,000.
Regulations on carport building vary across the different councils and states - it's better to consult your local authority and see if it's permissible to enclose a carport in your area. Your local council website is an excellent place to start. They usually have fact sheets with information about carports and domestic structure upgrades or conversions. Most legislation defines carports as the primary structure built to house vehicles and it should have at least two or three sides open. Other regulations forbid a carport if your property is small. For example, in NSW, they do not permit those properties measuring less than 8m wide and have no secondary road access to build a carport in the first place, let alone enclose one. Also, most states have a battleaxe section in their regulations. According to this section, your property should have enough space to turn and drive forward. It's good to assume you will need a permit to have your carpet enclosed since, in most states, you require one before building.