Carport Prices. What Would You Do?

iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 10:29
Last edited 07/12/2023 - 10:43

Got 4 quotes on a double carport.

Details:
8m by 7m Flat Roof, Colorbond steel by Bluescope.
6 skylights, some concrete cutting involved to locate and connect storm water on the fall side
Fly over brackets needed as not enough space on the existing gutters.
All other things inclusive such as permits, rubbish removal, etc. (Not including any dispensations that may arise)

Prices quoted.
$33,000, $32,500 and $33,500 for Stratco endorsed build by 3 different builders

$29,500 for Fielders Cent endorsed build. (After some discounts by the builder) (Was $35,000)

Honestly, I was a little taken aback by the prices but at the same time with the endless amount of price increases on materials and the fact that builders still need to make a living, I am not totally surprised.

Do I need a carport?> Yes I would like it, as we have no garage or cover for the cars but at that price? Ouch.

Honestly, I am torn and not sure if I should hold off and expect prices to eventually fall on those materials to hopefully bring it back down….

If anyone is in the industry, are these prices going to continue to climb? I cannot think of many people at the moment spending that much on builds like this…

I actually dont know what to do.

Home & Garden Carport

Comments

    • RandomNinja on 09/12/2023 - 08:33
      +9

      +1 on pisstake quotes!

      Was organising a roof restoration project for my strata pre-COVID, quotes were about $70k. Post-COVID, $110-120k O_o This was 3 local contractors… went a bit further afield and found an equally qualified contractor who quoted $60k and included more work than the original 3! Halfway through the job now, no complaints.

      There's still honest contractors out there and it's worth taking the time to find them.

    • ChatCPT on 09/12/2023 - 22:29

      Why would they go out of business? They’ll just stop ripping off eventually but they still come out on top

      • Drakesy on 10/12/2023 - 09:27

        Basically they blacklist themselves and the market goes elsewhere, at least thats what we've done. And we dont intend going back to them.

    • MetaphorOZB on 11/12/2023 - 13:46

      Building is a cyclical industry.

      Once the demand starts to dry off, we move into the phase where builders start undercutting each other and taking on projects with razor-thin margins, just to keep the wheels moving until the next boom cycle.

  • Kenb0 on 07/12/2023 - 12:28
    +3

    I bought a DIY garage shed kit for about $1.5k a few years ago and spent a few weekends putting it up with my brother. I think maybe another $1k to resurface the existing concrete slab where the old garage was. The builder renovating my property at the time quoted about $3k to put it up but I decided we could do it ourselves. At the time, I remember thinking it was a bit pricey just to put it up but after we spent quite a few hours over multiple weekends and stress putting it up ourselves, I think that labor price was probably reasonable. After speaking to a few friends who have either done it themselves or had a builder put it up for them, I think we were all unanimously of the opinion that these things were finicky and the cost of labor to put these things up are probably reasonable.

    It wasn't the easiest thing to DIY, and the larger the structure, the harder it'll be, but it was doable cos we did it as a pair of weekend DIY hacks with practically no building experience. I'm glad we did it in the end as we learnt a few things along the way, and it has withstood multiple gale force incidents since(so its pretty solid in the end, which is what I was worried about), but I'm not sure we would do it ourselves again.

    • iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 12:45
      +1

      Yeah for me, I am not that confident in a project this big to diy.
      I do think it would definitely add value to the house because nothing exists but at 30k, might pass.

    • Terocket on 09/12/2023 - 13:24
      +1

      Yes but the builder in all probability would be buying a carport kit based on the owner requirements so anywhere between $6k ~ $11k. Still about $22k labour for a couple of blokes over max 2-3 days is still insane!

      • ChatCPT on 09/12/2023 - 22:30

        $5k wages per day per person

        Time to change jobs!

    • initiateit on 11/12/2023 - 09:56
      +1

      This is just as much a sign of the times. For all the shit Boomers cop, at least back in their day they would build the thing themselves or have their parents help.

      Today you have a hard time finding people willing to do even basic stuff, they need to hire someone to do these jobs (and no I am not talking about electric or plumbing work).

      • lachhelix on 12/12/2023 - 10:33

        There was this mid 20s lady on a local Facebook group asking for quotes for "tradies" to come around and give her a "quote to hang 2 8x10 photo frames up on the wall"
        Absolutely (profanity) ridiculous

        • initiateit on 12/12/2023 - 12:52

          That's hilarious 😂

          It's definitely a lost art. I noticed my generation
          (x) less and less adopted the tools and knowhow and it's just got more and more pronounced as times gone on.

          That's not to say people today can't do it.

  • freefall101 on 07/12/2023 - 12:28
    +11

    Get a broken down quote, that sounds more like a "we have too much work but if you're willing to pay it we'll organise the contractors" money.

    • iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 12:44

      Honestly, I do not even think it will change the fact its ridiculously high.

      • freefall101 on 07/12/2023 - 13:04
        +4

        it won't, but it will give you a guide of why it's so high. Since you're not laying a new slab I can't see how there's more than maybe 50-80 hours labour (at say $100 an hour), nor how the materials are more than $5k, or why they'd need any significant kind of equipment hire.

        Helps to play them off each other to get to a more reasonable price or at least what to look for from others. They'll all pad different areas and it will help you find a reasonable ballpark of what it should cost.

        • iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 13:06

          Yeah that is also a good point!

    • pharkurnell on 07/12/2023 - 12:54

      Maybe if there was 1 quote like that, but if all are similar…..

  • pharkurnell on 07/12/2023 - 12:54

    No freeby/cheap carports on stalkerbook or scumtree?

    • iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 12:59

      I could always just steal one in the middle of the night

  • Protractor on 07/12/2023 - 13:45
    +5

    Stratco are always more $$$ than others. For no good reason than to pay for the trail of employees leading up to purchase

    • Minimum chips on 08/12/2023 - 22:20
      +1

      And sponsorships and ads on the radio.

  • Andy b on 07/12/2023 - 14:10
    +3

    65m2 shed with slab poured, water tank, and gravel pit for overflow, plus wired electrics 35k
    that price is mental.

    • iNeed2Pee on 07/12/2023 - 14:21

      yours or mine haha

      • geekcohen on 08/12/2023 - 06:10
        +3

        Yours. It sounds like they got a big shed with bells and whistles for $35k. So a carport at your quote price "is mental".

  • Benoffie on 07/12/2023 - 14:52

    Those prices are crazy.

    I got a flatroof carport and entertainment area, high wind zone, area covered was over 50m2 for $21k using a Stratco reseller (Adelaide).

    • aimbotjesus on 13/12/2023 - 10:57

      Can I ask who this reseller is? Thanks

      • Benoffie on 13/12/2023 - 17:39
        +1

        https://premiumhome.com.au/stratco-pergolas-adelaide/

        They didnt jerk us around, no upselling etc. Excellent installers. And the designer understood what I wanted and delivered (I wanted a flat roof span that went over the existing roof as we had multiple old roofs of different heights and pitches etc).
        It looked frigging amazing in the end for something relatively simple and they understood we didnt want to over capitalise. I would definitely go back to them on my new place tbh.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 07/12/2023 - 17:02
    +7

    $33,000 carport or $40 car cover off Amazon. You know which one is the OzB way.

    • banana365 on 10/12/2023 - 15:23
      +1

      No, the OzB way is to leave your 15+ year old Camry in the uncovered driveway and think "I really should do something about that" every time you look at the sun damaged paintwork as you get in.

      • THICKnSLOW on 10/12/2023 - 19:25
        +2

        Wait, you have a driveway?

  • Master Bates on 07/12/2023 - 17:42
    +7

    How about a few poles and a shade sail? Probably a tenth of the cost.

    • skillet on 08/12/2023 - 16:08

      Exactly, a carport is just some sticks with a cover. If you go for shade sail, go with the waterproof ones. A carport is at most just protection from the sun during certain time of the day. If you have a black car it's as good as nothing.

      • skidexa on 09/12/2023 - 08:01

        You don't want it collapsing on your car after a storm

  • tabitha731 on 08/12/2023 - 07:48
    -3

    Highly doubt those prices will come down, personally id rather pay up on the better quote, in terms of price and aesthetics. Given the unpredictable aussie summer weather, i would always park on my car undercover, at home (in my garage). I would rather spend money on protecting my on my only form of transportation, rather than be without it when it gets damaged due to the elements and be sent out for repairs

    • kraigg on 08/12/2023 - 08:07
      +9

      Sadly, concerning anything tradie related these days, paying higher prices doesn't necessarily guarantee you'll get the higher quality and workmanship with it.

    • Drakesy on 09/12/2023 - 16:54
      +6

      That's exactly the train of thought they want you to believe. Trust me, it doesn't really convert into a decent job when tradies are involved.

  • psdillon on 08/12/2023 - 07:52
    +3

    Now that you have half an idea of what is needed, SMS a builder a photo of the location, the list of work and materials you think is needed, and ask them if they could do it for $7k or whatever you think is slightly above reasonable. Make sure they come out and look at the site before signing and paying a deposit (also so you can judge their reliability). If you start the negotiation as someone who has no idea of the price, they will try it on, and then can't come down to a reasonable price without admitting they were scamming you.

  • The tiger on 08/12/2023 - 09:30
    +1

    Psdilon’s suggestion is very constructive. After you have done what he suggested put an ad. in Airtasker website , I bet you will get some good responses. I feel sure there are workers who are prepared to do the work for you with much less than $29,000. Good luck.

  • Subere on 08/12/2023 - 16:02
    +6

    Have you seen the latest South Park Panderverse special where the builders are filthy rich and everyone is lining up to get their attention?
    Art imitates life.

    Edit. But man, those prices are eye watering. Thanks for heads-up up for what these cost.

  • jolee3 on 08/12/2023 - 16:50

    We have been looking around recently (seems to be hailing more often the last few years) and we have found the cantilever ones to be much cheaper. We're only looking at single but the double ones seem possible for <$10k. They don't look as "solid" a structure though so it depends if that's more important or $.

  • 2esc on 08/12/2023 - 18:18

    Check out diy ive done Lego's more complicated. Getting post locations worked out first is the most important(surveyor is best) and then concreted in after that its fairly easy.

  • tunzafun001 on 08/12/2023 - 21:53

    What about 2 x skinny carports next to each other? I bought a 6x3m kit from Stratco for $750 in 2018. Was easy as. Surely prices havent gone up that much. Let says 400% in 5 years… $3k

  • Brick50 on 08/12/2023 - 23:02

    Would it be cheaper to get a concreter to pour the slab first and then go look for an independent shed builder, not sure how that works with permits etc.

  • Save 50 Cent on 09/12/2023 - 00:30
    +2

    I’d just give the car a fresh paint job every few years and still be ahead when I get too old to drive.

    • psdillon on 10/12/2023 - 09:27

      Yeah you could get 6 vinyl wraps for $30k, one every 3 years. Doesn't help with hail though.

  • Herbse on 09/12/2023 - 00:48
    +2

    Materials have not gone up that much in price.

    What's changed is that people want to do less for more these days

    Shop around and you'll find someone who will be able to do quality work for reasonable prices.

  • Aerith-Waifu on 09/12/2023 - 01:24

    wow $30k??? about 10 years ago I built a Alfresco with really hi triangle ceiling size 6m x 6m and only paid $3000

    i know things gone up but not 10x………..get another quote but this time says its an outdoor Alfresco for the front of the house and see what quotes coming back.

  • KingJuf on 09/12/2023 - 01:36
    +3

    Wow definitely not worth it for that much, keep looking around. I did my carport which was 6mx8m gable roof with 40sqm concrete slab pour to extend driveway for under 10k. No skylights etc and before covid but I suspect yours should not be more that 15k.

    Any reason why you need a stratco endorsed build? You should be able to get a private installer to make you a custom carport frame and have them get all the drawings certified etc for permits.

    • Nebargains on 09/12/2023 - 06:49
      +1

      How was that under 10k? The slab pour itself would probably cost nearly that these days.

      • KingJuf on 10/12/2023 - 17:42
        +1

        I paid around 2k for the slab pour 100mm thick. Only extra was getting a bob cat guy to dig up the area cost me about $400

  • compound on 09/12/2023 - 03:31

    Maybe for the price of a large shed. nfw that's a carport.

  • Irontofu on 09/12/2023 - 07:46

    I just had a similar size carport put up this year total cost 22k custom size between 6.7 to 7.7 x 8 with only one footing excavated and concreted the rest was bolted to the driveway.

    For my situation it was not planning exempt so the drawings, council approvals and occupation certificate was over 3k alone

    The contractors did all the application work, liaising with council, plan modification (only 1 mod luckily) with supply and installation.

    This post is a good reference point. I am happy it’s installed especially in hot weather like today.

    • Terocket on 09/12/2023 - 13:21

      Hi I was planning on DIY'ing a carport myself - will be done after we finish off a new driveway. Would you mind sharing the thickness of your driveway, does it need to be extra thick than the standard 100mm or so?. Thanks in advance

      • Irontofu on 09/12/2023 - 17:56

        I believe it’s 125mm as per council requirements

  • pahuang on 09/12/2023 - 11:24

    I had mine built 10 years ago. 5m x 5m. I got quotes between $6k- $10k for metal frame. Not as high standard as your apparently. In the end I picked timber frame. guess what, $1800!!! It sure looks cheap but does the job fine for 10 years.

  • IpGem on 09/12/2023 - 11:39
    +1

    I don't think 33k would justify for a carport even if it was quoted 10 years ahead from now.

    10k is what I think a reasonable price.

  • Logical on 09/12/2023 - 13:50

    Why specify stratco? That's where the premium is.

    • iNeed2Pee on 09/12/2023 - 13:57

      I didnt, but most of the companies I targeted all came back with that.

      • richmond12 on 09/12/2023 - 16:17
        +2

        Maybe thats where your problem is, where are you finding these quotes? You might need to get a bit more savy then just googling some companies first result eg these guys pay mote on marketing.

        I recently had a quote for Australian Outdoor Living for artificial grass which was double any other quote i got in the end. They were too slick with their marketing- basically had a sales guy, slick advertising so too much overheads made them so ext

  • AustriaBargain on 09/12/2023 - 15:37
    +3

    What about a big waterproof shade cloth.

  • Toph Beifong on 09/12/2023 - 16:02
    +4

    Too much money floating around in the economy. Tradies quoting ridiculous prices with poor workmanship. Wait for things to slowdown and then start asking for quotes.

  • RefusdClassification on 09/12/2023 - 16:56

    This is Australia. Things that cannot be offshored and automated, never go down in price, only up, and at a much faster rate than wages and welfare increase by. A relative was quoted $80,000 for a retaining wall made of those rectangular concrete blocks.

    • netjock on 09/12/2023 - 17:53

      Things that cannot be offshored and automated

      They do. Architect drawings can be done from India.

      Developers were ordering wooden frames from Russia before the war.

      Windows they get by the container load from China.

      You can get flat packed homes from China cheap to match minimum standards.

      The problem is people want to have all this customisation into their build which takes a lot of bespoke work which can't be offshored.

      Some people complain about the cost now vs boomers having it easy. If you look at all the boomer homes from 1960s - 1980s. Most of them are single story, single garage (even a carport), 3 small bedrooms without built in robes, 1 bathroom and single lounge with a kitchen and tiny dining. Maybe 72m2. Now the average home is more like 140 - 150m2. I would suggest most people think 180m2 is small.

  • cloudy on 09/12/2023 - 20:44
    +1

    I’d just replace the car when needed at that price!

    • iNeed2Pee on 09/12/2023 - 21:24
      +2

      To which I just told one of the guys who quoted me. 😂

      I would rather spend 30k on pointless items from Ozbargain users tbh

  • Daddy Chill on 09/12/2023 - 21:59
    +1

    We did one 30 years ago without council approval. 5 years ago when we build our new home I gave the carport to our neighbour and it's now in his back yard also without permission. Fk it's feels good to get along with your neighbours

  • Dreamcast on 09/12/2023 - 22:20
    +2

    My cousin habib will do it for 5k cash.

  • localhost on 10/12/2023 - 00:36

    You mean something like that https://www.cheapsheds.com.au/carports

    For $35k …. oh boy….

  • iand on 10/12/2023 - 01:29

    8x7 is very large for a double carport
    from the stratco website Double 5.3m x 5.5m

  • bigbadboogieman on 10/12/2023 - 08:09

    Think of it this way, if you get hail damage on your car, you can get a decent car for 23K that you saved by not building a carport.

  • spal on 10/12/2023 - 09:31

    @iNeed2Pee At this rate you are probably better off building a double garage. It would be dearer than the carport, but would possible add greater value to the house. Carport will probably not any value at all to the house. Just compare the similar house prices with and without a garage.
    It would be better for the cars, you could use as additional storage, hobby workshop. If short of money, you may be able to get a home loan top up, as it would be a building reno. For a carport, if you needed funds, it would be your cash or a personal loan at unsecured loan rates. Just something to consider.

  • wikimee1 on 10/12/2023 - 10:41

    Not a carport but not much different. I had a 25m2 Stratco Cooldek pergola built in Sydney 2 months ago for $400/m2. No permit is required for under 25m2 in NSW. Gutter, downlights, spot lights and ceiling fan. Pretty happy with the result.
    I was getting quotes for 5k for non insulated Colorbond roof (no lights) for the same size.

  • ifyareckon on 10/12/2023 - 14:40

    Were these quotes all from builders recommended by the manufacturer of the carport or did you source these trades yourself? If from the manufacturer, the costs are likely inflated and all close together knowing they are getting a steady stream of referrals.

    • iNeed2Pee on 10/12/2023 - 14:46

      Definitely sourced myself.
      Unfortunately the others I looked at had people contacting ACA for work not supplied.

  • ayeleeyas on 10/12/2023 - 15:18

    To protect your current cars at those prices, you're better off buying a new car later mate ;-)

    …Unless you have high-yield investments sitting in the driveway of course

  • Bluto Mindpretzel on 10/12/2023 - 15:53

    I'd rather teach myself how to do most trades than pay the absurd prices being asked for them nowadays. It's not rocket science.

  • Wpravens on 10/12/2023 - 16:34

    That's crazy! I did mine in 2022 for a single (5M x 3.5M) and it was around $7k only - I don't think a double will be more than twice that price! And it's just colorbond…

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 10/12/2023 - 18:14

    you got 4 quotes all are around the same within a few grand

    people saying it is expensive need to offer another solution other then 'Do it Yourself' if OP could DYI it then he probably would of

  • mrvaluepack on 10/12/2023 - 20:19
    +1

    How did you get your quotes? Try service seeking, hi pages and one flare or even FB marketplace. Guaranteed to be much cheaper. Just need to weed out the dodgy ones.

  • jaimex2 on 10/12/2023 - 20:29
    +4

    DIY it.

    I'm DIYing everything lately, not paying overpaid bogans brings me genuine joy.

    Oh and also job satisfaction.

  • Tiredman on 10/12/2023 - 21:34

    30k? I'll just put up a few shade sails. lol

  • diguinBR on 10/12/2023 - 22:18

    would that give your house more value? if yes, how much would that add in value to your house?

  • desert eagle on 10/12/2023 - 22:31

    You can buy a kit from Bunnings for > $2000. If you have a couple of mates who've done it before, just shout them a BBQ and a couple of cartons each and you'll be laughing*.

    *Provided you have capable and willing friends.

  • SpicyStew on 11/12/2023 - 01:26

    save up for another car instead

  • Irontofu on 11/12/2023 - 07:25

    The size op is after is not readily available as a Kit and likely need to be custom made and not mass produced, which is one of the reasons for the high quotes.

    From experience the price also varies with structural rigidity required. With my carport i only wanted 2 supports on all sides bar 1 therefore the priced in increase significantly as there was a requirement for 2 additional bracing beams on the roof panels. The draftsman even specified the concrete thickness of the driveway to ensure the Dyna bolts for the footings are adequately secured.

    Now Council planning involvement was also a driver for the fine details.

  • BuddhaBoy on 11/12/2023 - 07:51

    Hey OP, find the kit you want then put up a job on Airtasker or Service Seeking for an experienced tradie to build it. See if this works cheaper?

    On the other note - have few friends working in the building industry. They say price gauging is super real. Builders are throwing random high prices. Sometimes even triple of what they would actually charge!
    In fact builders, after signing build contracts, ask more money, just because of some random reason. They know customers will pay as they will not wait anymore for the build to start.

  • smartazz104 on 11/12/2023 - 08:21

    Maybe these guys think carport = garage.

  • surg3on on 11/12/2023 - 09:29

    I just got a shade sail installed. its not as good as a solid carport roof but it keeps the direct sun off and doesnt need expensive drainage/permitting.

  • Tiredman on 11/12/2023 - 09:43

    Why are you getting quotes this time of the year though. It will be 25% more expensive at least. Try again next year?

  • pformag on 11/12/2023 - 13:09

    Which state are you in?

  • Will Mcdonald on 11/12/2023 - 13:46
    +1

    Its about the right price for the size i did something similar DIY and materials ended up costing me about 20k, This was 200mm insulated roof with led lighting, roof mounts, 2 posts supporting the load on the other side with 2x 8 metre beams, no skylights btw. So to be honest, if u can't do the work just take the quote.

    • bathuu on 11/12/2023 - 14:03
      +2

      What was the breakdown of cost roughly?

      • Will Mcdonald on 12/12/2023 - 12:52
        +1

        Materials, costs are based upon your location, suppliers and deliveries. That is the work you have to do.
        This site sells a kit for the diyers out there, https://smartkits.com.au/products/insulated-flyover-roof-7m-….
        That kit is about $14,000 bare basics, have a look there to see what you require as theres always little things you require when you do a roof like that. i.e. rat stops.

    • sydney_kings on 14/12/2023 - 16:44

      I'm pretty sure a large variation is just in the skylights alone.

  • Capo93 on 11/12/2023 - 14:08
    +1

    I just did a 17mx6m mezzanine, 4.2m high, supply, deliver, installed and engineer certificate for just shy of $30k and I can stand on it! Those prices are insane just for some cover!

  • rickdwp on 11/12/2023 - 16:13

    That's a total rip off, you sure all those quotes were actually different companies or 1 company trading under a bunch of names? For reference my Aunt just built an 8m x 6m shed with a 3m awning/carport on the side with slab and extra groundworks (sloped land) for $40,000 with windows, sliding door and roller door.

  • mirovich on 11/12/2023 - 16:44

    OP, are you based in Sydney? My landscaper does all sort of construction. Message me and I can send you his details.
    He's reasonably priced.

  • randysal on 11/12/2023 - 18:10
    +1

    We went with https://voguepergolas.com.au/ back in 2021 for a double carport. It was $12,000 all up. I don't know how much that would be now, but I remember I found that price quite high at the time. The carport is pretty good though.

    • Talsidor on 12/12/2023 - 14:25

      They also designed & installed our double car port for just under $12k. Located in ACT. Accepted quote in August 2022.

      Build quality is phenomenal, I couldn't be happier with it. As long as a cantilever steel frame + translucent pergola suits your style I can't recommend Vogue Pergolas enough.

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