An installed carport costs about $3,100 to $9,800 in 2026, and a standard 20 x 20 steel carport about $5,500. Converting a carport into a garage typically costs $15,000 to $25,000. Choose your project below to see a full breakdown.
Carport Cost Calculator
Cost breakdown
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How Much Does a Carport Cost in 2026?
Most homeowners pay $3,100 to $9,800 for an installed carport, with an average of about $6,400. A standard 20 x 20 steel carport costs about $5,500 installed, while aluminum runs about $8,000 and a custom wood carport about $11,000. Adding a concrete slab costs about $6 per square foot.
| Size | Steel | Aluminum | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12 x 20) | About $3,550 | About $4,990 | About $6,910 |
| 2-car (20 x 20) | About $5,550 | About $7,950 | About $11,150 |
| Large 2-car (24 x 24, 9 ft legs) | About $8,440 | About $12,240 | About $17,310 |
| RV (20 x 40, 12 ft legs) | About $12,950 | About $18,950 | About $26,950 |
Carport Materials
- Steel (metal): the most popular and least expensive option. Most dealers include delivery and installation in the price. Galvanized steel resists rust and handles snow and wind well, especially with a vertical roof and a 12-gauge frame.
- Aluminum: lighter and rust-proof, which makes it a good choice near the coast and for attached patio-style carports. It costs more than steel and dents more easily.
- Wood: custom-built to match your house, with a shingle roof that looks like part of the home. It costs about twice as much as steel and needs painting or staining, but it’s the easiest to enclose later as a garage.
Carport Upgrades and Their Cost
| Upgrade (20 x 20 steel carport) | Added cost |
|---|---|
| A-frame roof | About $480 |
| Vertical A-frame roof (best for snow and rain) | About $960 |
| Taller 8 to 10 ft legs | About $480 |
| Heavier 12-gauge frame | About $720 |
| Wind and snow certification | About $480 |
| Enclosed side panels | About $1,400 |
| Concrete slab | About $2,400 |
An attached carport costs a little less than a freestanding one because the house carries one side, but it needs a ledger board and flashing where it meets the wall. Many areas require a permit for both types, usually $60 to $800.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Carport to a Garage?
Enclosing a carport and turning it into a garage typically costs $15,000 to $25,000. A basic 20 x 20 attached conversion with new walls, siding, an insulated garage door, wiring and permits comes to about $17,800, including footings for the new walls. Insulating, drywalling and heating the space can push the total to $25,000 to $30,000.
| Carport size | Basic enclosed garage | Insulated and drywalled | Finished and heated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-car (12 x 20) | About $15,490 | About $19,250 | About $23,750 |
| 2-car (20 x 20) | About $17,790 | About $22,990 | About $27,490 |
| Large 2-car (24 x 24) | About $19,620 | About $26,340 | About $30,840 |
What Drives Conversion Cost
- The slab. Carport slabs are often thin at the edges. New walls usually need a thickened edge or footing, about $3,000, and a cracked slab may need to be replaced, $15 per square foot or more.
- The structure. A framed wood carport can usually be enclosed. A light metal carport rarely can, so most conversions replace it with a framed structure, adding $5,000 or more.
- Attached or freestanding. An attached carport already has one wall, so it needs less framing and siding. Code requires a fire-rated door and drywall where the garage meets the house.
- Finish level. Insulation and drywall add $4,000 to $7,000, and a mini-split for heat and cooling about $4,500.
If your carport is in rough shape, compare the conversion cost with building new. See our garage addition cost calculator for an attached garage or our detached garage cost calculator. Planning a big metal building instead? Try our pole barn cost calculator.
Get Quotes from Local Pros
For a new carport, compare at least three dealers and ask whether delivery, installation, anchors and leveling are included. For a conversion, ask builders to price the slab work, any structural changes, siding and the garage door separately so you can compare bids line by line.
Carport vs. Garage
A carport costs a fraction of a garage. A 20 x 20 steel carport runs about $5,500, compared with $35,000 or more for a new two-car garage. A carport keeps sun, snow and hail off your car, but it doesn’t add secure storage or much home value. If you think you’ll want a garage later, a framed wood carport on a slab with thickened edges makes the conversion much cheaper down the road. To finance either project, use our garage loan calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 2-car carport cost?
A 20 x 20 two-car steel carport costs about $5,500 installed, aluminum about $8,000 and wood about $11,000. Add about $2,400 for a concrete slab.
Is it cheaper to build a carport or a garage?
A carport is much cheaper, usually 80% to 90% less than a garage of the same size, because it has no walls, doors, insulation or wiring.
Can you turn a carport into a garage?
Yes, if the roof and posts can carry new walls and the slab can support them. Most conversions cost $15,000 to $25,000 and need a building permit. Light metal carports usually have to be replaced with a framed structure.
Do I need a permit for a carport?
In many areas, yes, especially for attached carports and larger metal carports. Permits usually cost $60 to $800. Some counties also require wind and snow certified carports.
How long does a metal carport last?
A galvanized steel carport typically lasts 20 to 30 years or more, and longer with a vertical roof that sheds snow and rain. Keeping anchors tight and touching up scratches helps prevent rust.
Pricing last updated October 2026 using national-average installed costs. Prices vary by region, dealer, builder and site; always get written quotes.