The carport’s edges over the other types of structures are its low cost and quick-to-build process. Maybe these are reasons why owner-builders prefer it or only considerations out of a situation. But let’s say you have the resources and time to transform your carport into a garage, living room, or home office. How possible can you enclose it? Are there barriers if you do it?
Without a doubt, everyone can enclose a carport given the resources. Perhaps, it is just a matter of saying yes to do it now or later. However, it is also good to not oversimplify this plan because there are essential factors to ponder like the following:
Purpose. If you convert the carport into a garage or study room, most likely there is no problem with it. Any of these is considered an outbuilding fit for the residential district. The case is different though if you intend to turn it into a room for business because, typically, a building and zoning authority disapproves it. Why? This is for keeping the harmony in a residential area or because the structure, itself, is no good for commercial purposes.
Another point in pondering about the purpose is it leads you to specific tasks you have to do.
Let’s say it is going to be a new big kitchen. Then, you may need experts tips from a carpenter, electrician, or interior designer. If you think about it, in the kitchen there are cabinets for utensils, appliances for cooking, food storage, etc. If it is a garage, perhaps you have to consult your current contractor or find an expert in this building type.
Condition. Even before you contact an officer from the review building division of your local authority, better assess the condition of your carport. Does it only need a makeover soon or does it also need some renovation now? This sounds like shelling out extra money, but it is a must to strengthen the framework of the carport. Anyhow, it is not logical to nail walls and doors to a deteriorating carport.
Furthermore, analyze if its dimension or form suits the structure you intend to do. Does its current roof, frames, concrete slab, or drainage fit for the walls or door of a garage? And usually, the anchoring system for a garage should be deeper and fixed.
Consult. To lessen your work in enclosing your carport, consult a reliable contractor. A dependable one has the expertise to make the conversion trouble-free. It knows how to make the new structure meet your demands and the safety standards of your local authority.
Permit. When you make a repair, alteration, or any change to a carport, expect that you will get permits before you can actualize it. Your local authority and your community need reassurance that this change doesn’t violate any of the building and zoning laws. Moreover, there are specific standards for enclosed structures. A garage, for example, occupies a bigger area and will demand electrical wiring, fire-rated walls, or drainage.
On homeowners association’s regulations, you have to think of the easement agreement with your neighbors. Maybe if it is going to be a garage, you have to make some adjustments like moving it a little bit backward. In that way, there is ample distance from the property line or fences of your neighbor.
