Why so many carports?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I'm surprised by these responses. Really no garages? It's actually our #1 criteria. My husband is a bicyclist and we have lots of bicycles. A garage would be a heaven send. We also have a convertible.

I'm from an area without basements and most homes had 3 garages and cars never sat out.

if you decide to buy one and convert it, let us know how it turns out.

[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...

Hey, I'm the townhouse PP and have no regrets. For the money, I have newer construction, open floor plan, a 2 car garage, a great location, and pool and tennis included. No way could I have afforded that in an attached home unless I'd have been willing to move way outside the beltway, which would be impractical given I work downtown.

[Anonymous]

I prefer 3 car garage, 2 for cars 1 for work shop and storage

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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...

Hey, I'm the townhouse PP and have no regrets. For the money, I have newer construction, open floor plan, a 2 car garage, a great location, and pool and tennis included. No way could I have afforded that in an attached home unless I'd have been willing to move way outside the beltway, which would be impractical given I work downtown.

I'm with you. I'd take our newer townhouse with all the amenities, including a garage, over all these dumpy little houses from 1952 around here any day. We're less than a mile outside the Beltway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also believe that there are regulations about how close the structure can be to the property line. I recall looking at a house that had a carport and asking about conversion, but being told that the county wouldn't allow it.

This is true in many parts of this area. We bought a house in an area where the original homes just had driveways; previous owner had added a carport. It's the size of a small garage, and there was enough land to build a garage, so we asked why they went with a carport. Zoning. Many of the houses we looked at had nothing or just carports due to this. We have a shed for storage.

[Anonymous]

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

My family of 4 has 7 bikes. I have a tri bike, cyclocross/commuter bike and a MTB. My wife has a MTB and beach cruiser. My 2 kids each have me and my brother's old vintage banana seat bikes.

We don't have a garage or shed and I had to get creative to mount every single bike in my unfinished storage room. I have to haul my commuter out of the walk out basement twice a day. It gets old, but at least I can keep them inside and safe.

[Anonymous]

We LOVE our carport. Every time we see our poor neighbors who park in the rain bc their garages are full of junk, we are so glad to have our carport. We park, keep the kids dry, car is protected. We have a shed out back for bikes, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We LOVE our carport. Every time we see our poor neighbors who park in the rain bc their garages are full of junk, we are so glad to have our carport. We park, keep the kids dry, car is protected. We have a shed out back for bikes, etc.

That's stupid

[Anonymous]

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.

I think some people aren't getting the satire here ....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We LOVE our carport. Every time we see our poor neighbors who park in the rain bc their garages are full of junk, we are so glad to have our carport. We park, keep the kids dry, car is protected. We have a shed out back for bikes, etc.

We prefer the carport/shed combo as well.

[Anonymous]

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/368380444491112099/

[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.

Additionally, be very careful about buying a house that has a converted carport. I've heard plenty of story of homes going to inspection to find out the conversion was done incorrectly.

[Anonymous]

Do you need a permit to erect a carport in dc? I have plans to install a fully enclosed metal carport at the rear of my yard.

[Anonymous]

Rambler w/carport in McLean offered at $950K went under contract in about two weeks.

http://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/1445-Waggaman-Cir-22101/home/9407086

If the location is right, carports are fine w/many buyers.

[Anonymous]

Idiot
your middle name

Anonymous wrote:I've never lived in a house with a garage so I don't see it as a necessity worth spending money on. Plus I'd be worried about fumes. Can't they get into your house?

What's a carport, a little shelter thing?