Flexible, adaptable, and lightweight, steel carports deliver both convenience and functionality. Luckily, building a steel carport in New Zealand has become easier than ever before. Detailed guides and flawlessly manufactured kits simplify the task for everyone, even for those who are complete construction newbies.
Paying attention to a few essentials and doing the prep work will give you the sturdy outcome you’re hoping for. This guide will take you through all the important steps and we’ll also share some professional hacks that will turn you into a DIY steel carport master.
Why You Need a Steel Carport and How to Get Started with Construction
Steel carports are so convenient that over 80 per cent of US households rely either on such a structure or a garage, the American Housing Survey suggests.
A metal carport is a lightweight garage alternative that plays a protective role and keeps vehicles safe from the elements. A few important benefits that turn a metal carport into an excellent choice for your property include:
- Since the kit is pre-engineered and manufactured, construction is a lot easier than having to build a garage
- Certain types of carports don’t require a building consent – reducing regulatory burden
- A much more cost-efficient solution than having to build a garage
- Sturdy and very protective, especially if you choose the right kit
- You have many customisation options that will match your property and vehicle specifics
- A metal carport provides some extra storage space
- You don’t need specialised knowledge or tools to assemble a steel carport kit
You’ll Still Need to Do the Prep Work!
As you can see, the carport will give you versatility while also protecting your vehicle(s) from the elements.
To make the most of this construction, however, you’ll need to dedicate enough time to some prep work.
While getting a legal permit may not be required, you’ll still need to decide where to erect the carport, how big it’s going to be, and what shape will make the most sense.
You’ll also need to concrete the posts into the ground. If you already have a concrete driveway that you’d want to install the carport over, you’ll benefit from a choice like top mount feet that will simplify the installation (found out more about these options here).
To sum it up, you’ll have to do your research. Consider the right spot and the right dimensions. Find out if you’ll need to get permits and whether you’ll need to dig holes for the posts for some added stability. If you’re clueless about getting started and making the right choice, a professional consultation will always come in handy.
Planning Your Steel Carport
Steel carport construction in NZ starts with a few preliminary considerations. From thinking about carport materials to knowing how many vehicles the construction will house, you’ll need to have clarity on these essentials in advance.
The primate preliminary considerations include:
- Purpose & size: Steel carports are typically modular structures. As such, they can be customised. You can use a carport for your cars, trucks, and even your boat. Depending on the size of the structure, it can be used to house either a single vehicle or multiple automobiles. Before considering anything else, calculate the surface area and the height that is best aligned with your needs. If you intend to do some additional customisation, make sure you have a kit manufacturer that can execute based on your specifications.
- Location: The location of the metal carport will determine the ease of installation. If you’re placing it in the garden, you’ll have to dig holes for the metal posts and you’ll also have to pour concrete. If you’re planning to attach the carport to your house, you’ll need to consult an engineer about the best attachment method.
- Budget: Finally, determine what cost you feel comfortable with. Setting a budget in advance will make research easier, giving you a better idea about the kits and the customisation opportunities that fall within your price range.
Materials and Tools Needed
A successful DIY steel carport NZ installation requires only a few supplies and pieces of equipment. A couple of the essentials you’ll need to get the job done include:
- A power drill or a cordless drill
- Screw gun
- Hammer
- Saw
- Level
- Rivet gun
- Tape measure
- Silicone gun
Apart from those essentials, make sure you have additional supplies like:
- Ladder
- Shovel
- Writing equipment
- Gloves and foot protection
- Goggles
Don’t forget the most important supply of them all – the steel carport kit itself. Modular structures like our product selection allow for full product customization. Additionally, each one is made of high-quality carport materials NZ like premium steel. Because of the structural quality and the premium materials, you’ll get a 10-year structural warranty and a 25-year durability statement.
Because our carports are made locally, they’re meant to withstand New Zealand’s weather conditions and offer your vehicles the most reliable protection.
Local Regulations and Construction Requirements
As already mentioned, a carport is much easier to build than a garage regulation-wise. This is especially true for smaller steel carports. Still, learning about the regulatory requirements in advance can save you a lot of time once the construction begins.
What You Can Construct without a Building Consent
Structures that meet the following requirements can be erected without a building consent:
- They have a surface area of up to 40 square meters
- They are on ground level
- They maintain the structural integrity of an existing building if you intend to attach the carpool to a construction that’s already on the property (like your home)
There are a few additional regulatory requirements to keep in mind when getting started on this kind of project:
- A carport that has an area between 20 and 40 square metres needs to be designed by a chartered professional engineer (the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment has more information on the topic)
- Carports that have an area between 20 and 40 square metres need to have at least one side of the structure open to be considered for an exemption that came into force on August 31, 2020 (all projects that started before that date will still require a building consent)
- A carport that’s bigger than 40 square metres cannot be constructed without a building consent
Luckily, the Auckland Council website features an online tool you can employ to enter your project’s parameters and find out if constructing without building consent is a possibility. There’s also extensive information about New Zealand carport regulations.
Steel Carport Construction: Step-By-Step Guide
Now that you’ve done all the preliminary work and you’ve addressed regulatory requirements, it’s time to start building a steel carport. Here’s a step-by-step carport building guide NZ you can count on to make the task easier:
- Do the prep work: Clear the area where the carport will be erected. Driving pegs in the ground to designate the four corners will give you a good idea about the area you’ll have to work with. The pegs will also designate the places where concrete post footings will have to be. Double-check and measure everything one more time before moving on to the next step.
- Dig holes, pour the concrete: A hole will be needed at each of the four corners to house the concrete foundation for the carport post. The soil type and the kind of carport you’ll be erecting will determine how deep the hole needs to be. You’ll get such information from your kit manufacturer and the engineer you work with. If you have a building consent, it will also feature requirements related to the concrete foundation depth. When you start pouring, mix enough concrete for one hole at a time. Typically, saddles or braces are fixed inside the concrete – they will serve as the point of attachment for the posts (check your kit and the instructions that come with it to figure out how the posts are to be set up). Once you’ve poured, use a level to make sure everything is completely level before putting up the posts.
- Put up the posts: Let the concrete cure completely before affixing the posts to the braces or saddles in the ground. Depending on the height of your steel carport and the weight of the posts, you may need an assistant to complete this step.
- Assemble the rest of the carport: Now that you have the foundations and posts in place, it’s time to put together the rest of the structure. You will get detailed instructions about the order of putting the pieces together. Usually, the structure itself gets assembled first and the roof is the last piece to come in place. Follow those instructions carefully or get some professional assistance to ensure the carport’s structural integrity.
- Construct the roof: You will be provided with some roof sheeting that is installed after everything else is already in place. Make sure the sheets are attached with the right kind of fastener. Once you’re done with the sheets, flashing will have to be applied where the roof meets the edges of the support beams.
- Do one final quality check: Is everything level? Are all of the elements securely fastened into place? One final quality check will give you peace of mind about the quality of the installation.
DIY or Professional Carport Installation
Since this aspect of carport construction is so important, we need to emphasise it one final time.
Getting a professionally engineered and manufactured carport kit is very important. You’ll get warranties, you’ll get weather resistance and ultimately, you’ll enjoy the best return on investment.
Some people worry about the upfront cost of getting a kit, which is why they assemble the carport from scratch on their own. The approach carries risks. For a start, the quality of the materials can’t be guaranteed. The fit isn’t going to be perfect, which means that the structure could become unstable in time.
Choosing high-quality steel carport kits saves you money in the long run. You can learn more about the difference professional manufacturing makes here.
Carport Maintenance Tips: Optimising the Construction’s Lifespan
Steel carports are very tough and durable. Locally-manufactured New Zealand constructions are created in a way that withstands the environmental effects of UV rays, rain, and harsh weather.
Still, taking proper care of your carport will give you the best return on investment. You’ll only need to do a few simple things to enjoy your new steel carport for many years to come:
- Keep the carport clean: Washing the carport removes dirt, grime, and any other kind of residue. Removing leaves and dirt will maintain the pristine condition of your carport and you’ll also get a chance to examine the roof for any signs of damage.
- Check the foundations: It’s a good idea to check the concrete foundations for any damage at least a few times per year. Addressing cracks and chips as soon as these occur will maintain the structural integrity of your carport.
- Do a visual inspection: Look at all the components – the posts, roofing sheets, beams, downpipes, etc. at least a few times per year. Pay close attention to the bolts, screws, and other kinds of fixings. Rust or other signs of damage should be dealt with quickly.
- Repair damage as soon as you spot it: Investing in a minor repair is a much better idea than ignoring the issue and having to deal with major problems down the line.
Final Thoughts
Building a steel carport and adding value to your New Zealand property has never been easier. Once you do the preliminary work and choose the right kit, you’ll enjoy a smooth process that will result in a beautiful, functional, and durable carport for your beloved vehicles.
A carport is so much easier to put together than a garage and it gives you numerous benefits. It increases the overall value of your property, protects your cars, and provides you with work or storage areas that can be employed in the most convenient way.
The best thing about carports is that they can be custom-created to bring any vision to reality.
If you have a specific idea in mind or you’d like to get your questions about steel carports answered, get in touch with our knowledgeable team today. We’ll respond promptly and recommend the setup that’s best aligned with your goal. And since we’re proud of our products and all the options we make available to clients, we encourage you to download a PDF guide and discover crucial facts about the various types of steel carports we design and manufacture locally.