Why so many carports?

[Anonymous]

I like parking my cars in the garage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A neighbor mentioned wanting to convert their carport to a garage, but deciding against it.

Their decision had something to do with the cost of converting. If I recall correctly, they mentioned that the foundation of the carport was not the same as what was required by code for a garage, so they would have to tear the carport slab out and put a new one in before they could convert to a garage. That was more money than it was worth to them.

Yes, this is true.

OP - It is VERY expensive to convert a carport to garage. It's not like you slap up a few sheets of drywall and call Sears to install the garage door, it's much much much more than that. The carport concrete needs to rip out and a new thicker foundation laid (that is a big job in itself). The sides (studs, drywall) need to go up. Electrical needs to get done. Roofing. Attaching it to the house. Everything needs to be level, waterproofed. Garage door installed and aligned.
And inspected and to code.

So, yes, OP, it sorta is a big deal to convert. And probably why the home builder opts for carports as the "cheap" alternative to a garage and why those with carports have to think seriously if they want to put their money to a new kitchen or a garage.

Whoa, who said anything about permits? There's probably already an electrical outlet in the carport that we can tap into for the garage door opener and the existing slab already is strong enough for the car - adding the walls shouldn't be too much more. Come on, we can knock this job out before the Redskins game kicks off.

Oh hey Uncle Jerry! Didn't know you were on DCUM also!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are from the northeast and I agree that it's a little odd that so many expensive homes don't have garages (let alone 2 car garages). We ended up in a newer townhome, and this was one of the reasons.

Ha! You got me. I can't believe there are so many people in the Washington suburbs who live in townhouses. I can understand if you're living in a desirable, inside the beltway home but a townhouse outside the beltway? Blows my mind. Detached house with a carport everytime for this guy.

I'm sorry Mr Moneybags. I would LOVE to afford a desirable inside the beltway detached house...

[Anonymous]

My parents added a carport to their current home. They don't like garages because scary people can lurk in them and mug you.

No joke.

And no, I was not able to convince them that they're overly paranoid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are from the northeast and I agree that it's a little odd that so many expensive homes don't have garages (let alone 2 car garages). We ended up in a newer townhome, and this was one of the reasons.

Ha! You got me. I can't believe there are so many people in the Washington suburbs who live in townhouses. I can understand if you're living in a desirable, inside the beltway home but a townhouse outside the beltway? Blows my mind. Detached house with a carport everytime for this guy.

I'm sorry Mr Moneybags. I would LOVE to afford a desirable inside the beltway detached house...

I got the detached house but don't have a garage, carport or driveway. The car sleeps on the street.
My point was that given limited finances, having a detached house was WAY more important than a garage/carport/driveway. Maybe that's just me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- we're looking in Fairfax county, so not very close in. DH would not leave his bikes in a shed and there are many of them.

How would a shed be different from a garage when it comes to storing bikes? You can have a shed large enough for "many" bikes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A neighbor mentioned wanting to convert their carport to a garage, but deciding against it.

Their decision had something to do with the cost of converting. If I recall correctly, they mentioned that the foundation of the carport was not the same as what was required by code for a garage, so they would have to tear the carport slab out and put a new one in before they could convert to a garage. That was more money than it was worth to them.

Yes, this is true.

OP - It is VERY expensive to convert a carport to garage. It's not like you slap up a few sheets of drywall and call Sears to install the garage door, it's much much much more than that. The carport concrete needs to rip out and a new thicker foundation laid (that is a big job in itself). The sides (studs, drywall) need to go up. Electrical needs to get done. Roofing. Attaching it to the house. Everything needs to be level, waterproofed. Garage door installed and aligned.
And inspected and to code.

So, yes, OP, it sorta is a big deal to convert. And probably why the home builder opts for carports as the "cheap" alternative to a garage and why those with carports have to think seriously if they want to put their money to a new kitchen or a garage.

Whoa, who said anything about permits? There's probably already an electrical outlet in the carport that we can tap into for the garage door opener and the existing slab already is strong enough for the car - adding the walls shouldn't be too much more. Come on, we can knock this job out before the Redskins game kicks off.

Structural permits.

Building a garage from a carport is not a diy project for an inexperienced weekend warrior and his buddies helping out for a few beers.

[Anonymous]

FC requirements:

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/publications/carport_details.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How many bikes can one guy possibly own?

Agent here. My last listing was a guy who did triathlons and had two sons. He had at least a half a dozen bicycles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A neighbor mentioned wanting to convert their carport to a garage, but deciding against it.

Their decision had something to do with the cost of converting. If I recall correctly, they mentioned that the foundation of the carport was not the same as what was required by code for a garage, so they would have to tear the carport slab out and put a new one in before they could convert to a garage. That was more money than it was worth to them.

Yes, this is true.

OP - It is VERY expensive to convert a carport to garage. It's not like you slap up a few sheets of drywall and call Sears to install the garage door, it's much much much more than that. The carport concrete needs to rip out and a new thicker foundation laid (that is a big job in itself). The sides (studs, drywall) need to go up. Electrical needs to get done. Roofing. Attaching it to the house. Everything needs to be level, waterproofed. Garage door installed and aligned.
And inspected and to code.

So, yes, OP, it sorta is a big deal to convert. And probably why the home builder opts for carports as the "cheap" alternative to a garage and why those with carports have to think seriously if they want to put their money to a new kitchen or a garage.

Whoa, who said anything about permits? There's probably already an electrical outlet in the carport that we can tap into for the garage door opener and the existing slab already is strong enough for the car - adding the walls shouldn't be too much more. Come on, we can knock this job out before the Redskins game kicks off.

Let us know how your "plan" goes once the first wall tips over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are from the northeast and I agree that it's a little odd that so many expensive homes don't have garages (let alone 2 car garages). We ended up in a newer townhome, and this was one of the reasons.

Ha! You got me. I can't believe there are so many people in the Washington suburbs who live in townhouses. I can understand if you're living in a desirable, inside the beltway home but a townhouse outside the beltway? Blows my mind. Detached house with a carport everytime for this guy.

People have different needs and budgets. Isn't that amazing?

[Anonymous]

We have a 2-car carport. It wasn't something we were looking for when we were house shopping; it was just there attached to the house we really wanted. We wouldn't close ours in because we'd lose light on the carport side of the house. I will say that ours has a built-in shed area that holds 3 bikes. It's enclosed and locked. You can also get bike storage sheds fairly inexpensively, if you want to expland your search and still have a place to store your bikes.

[Anonymous]

I have a two-car garage full of crap that I never park in. It occupies so much space in the back yard that the lawn is tiny. Overall its nice to have the storage and the option of covered parking if it ever snows, but its not a huge plus.

[Anonymous]

I can't stand those ugly snout houses built around huge garages. Nothing screams 'I live in my car sitting on my fat ass when I can bear to get off my couch" more loudly.

[Anonymous]

We bought a house with a two car carport envisioning that we'd probably convert it to a garage. At this point, I am really enjoying the carport and my husband will be hard pressed to get me to do the conversion. It's additional, covered outdoor space.

The idea of more storage is great ( we'd likely never park out cars inside), but I think the added outdoor space is even better right now.