Converting a carport to a garage - Profitable?

Question

A lot of the properties I am looking at have carports.  I plan to do a live in renovation, and I personally need a garage.  It's hard to find properties with garages in my price range though.

In cases like the attached pictures(where the carport is integrated into the home's roof) would it make sense to convert the carport into a garage?

This seems like a reasonable DIY project.  I basically need to frame walls, and have a door installed.

Any thoughts?  Could this be a positive ROI?

Thanks all

Jeremy Horton · Answer

If this was a primary home that you were staying in, then I'd say for for it, because YOU personally want the garage.

As far as doing the renovation/addition for a rental - I don't believe you'd see what you put into it. Maybe 50%, at best. It's a big project - more than your typical DIY. You have walls, insulation, electrical, garage door, lighting, siding, moisture barriers etc. If you just DIY it, then it won't be permitted - this will likely come to light when you sell. If you DIY and pull permits then you're looking at knowing the regulations, code etc. If you DIY and an inspector happens to drive by or a neighbor reports you, you'll get shut down. If you get a contractor, you're looking at a higher cost. If you do it to your primary, you likely won't have to worry about it (here we can do most work unpermitted on a personal home).

The pictures that you show are also all single garages - close it in, and I doubt you can fit anything more than a golf cart in there. Might actually turn into a deterrent. I'd rather have a carport I can park my car in, than a garage that I can't get out of my car in.

Also it looks like most of the market in that price range has carports.

Long answer: leave it as a carport

Short answer: leave it as a carport

Andy Sabisch · Answer

Depends on the area of the country (but then again more storage space is always welcome) and as others have said, if it is allowed by code.  Hate to do it and then be forced to tear it down.  Also, look at the appearance of the finished product.  The house in the lower left photo is one that closing it in would likely hurt more than it helps.  Also, there is more to the work than putting up walls.  You might have a contractor check it out before you pull the trigger - structural requirements, moisture, drainage, etc.

Peter Mckernan · Answer

this one is a good example when you pull local comps in that market to see if the extra money is well spent or not. To be honest, most the time a garage is a value to the property. I would have a realtor in your area that you trust pull comps that show garage sales prices verse carport sales prices.

Michael K Gallagher · Answer

If you just want the functionality of a garage then what you are describing will likely work.  My questions would be if you would be permitted to do the work and legally get the credit for it to be called a garage after you were done.  If you've seen these conversions already happening in the areas then thats a good chance its something "doable" from a permitting perspective.  but obviously that's a question you'll need to dig into the local codes to understand ifyou're doing it yourself.

Converting a carport to a garage - Profitable?

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