Carport to garage conversion?

[adams77]

I need input on a carport that came with the new home. I would like to enclose it.

Looks to be stable and a good start but would I be better off starting over or using what is already there? I want to save money but I dont want the thing falling in on me either.

I figured on pouring a slab, erecting a wall or two, couple of doors and a new roof and viola.........


Whatcha think?

 

[Major Ramifications]

On the one hand, if what you have is built adequately, and it the size fits your needs, then it would be fine to enclose it.
On the other hand, by the time you pour a slab and replace the roof, you are really not saving much. If you tore it down and started from scratch, you could determine the ideal placement, size, design, etc.
I lean toward building a new one.

 

[Lloydthumper]

Your probally not going to save $1200 if you use what you have. But I am a cheap skate so if the structure is sound and I mean sound. I would probally enclose it but if you want something bigger in the future you might as well do it once and not twice. I started building a 24X26 with 8' walls and I talked to several people with garages and everyone of them said they wish they would have built theres bigger and one said tall enough to put a lift in later. So I am Siding my 30X40X12' building now. Just something to think about.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Looks like there is some sag in the header that runs front to back. The one supported by the center post. Not a good sign.

I agree with Loydthumper. You are not going to save much by incorporating your well weathered car port in a garage.

But the real question is what do you want. A framed out garage with all the trimming or some protection from the weather for your vehicles. If your goal is high end take it down and build new with new material. If you want protection run some purlins on the outside walls and cover it with galvanized metal.

Build your own doors using sliding barn door hardware.

With concrete going for near $100 a yard these days I would think long and hard about putting in a slab.

 

[boiler7904]

I'd push it in and start over. It appears to be sagging a little and the center post is less than desirable for a garage / workshop.

Design what you want and bid it out to a few contractors for the work that you aren't doing.