Metal carport

[Par]

Hi all,
I am in the market for a free standing steel or aluminun carport for my boat.
Can you guys/gals recomend any manufacturers or brands?
Any do's or dont's I should know about?
I don't mind paying a little extra for a quality cover.
Thanks
Dusty

[Andy Giannini]

Before you get one, find out if you can obtain a permit to erect it in your nieghborhood. Several people within a few blocks bought the tent looking ones, and the city said take them down.

To be honest those white tent things looked like hell in the front driveway anyway.

Find out before you buy it,

A.G.

[Smile_n_Jax]

Do a Google search for "portable garages". You'll find lots of hits. Don't know what you're thinking of paying, but they can get pricey. Be sure to look at shipping costs.

[brambo0311]

Your county or city will require a permit. They may have set back issues from property lines. Keep in mind anything 3 feet from the property line is to be of fire resistive construction. The tin ones would work. If it is wood it would have be a heavy timber minimum 8" x 8" in size. But the new code is in effect jan 1st and they give a bunch of options for fire resistive construction. The metal car ports require a full engineer's design. Thats the paperwork they charge 300 to a 1000 dollars for. It basically says use a 5" slab and anchor it with red heads, in about 25 pages. Keep in mind a carport or any metal structure is not a moisture barrier, you boat will always be wet. If you want to build a garage it will be more expensive but not by much. I could explain how to design a draw it yourself to meet building code without an engineer. But it has to be before jan 1st, I dont even have the new code book yet. Its all gunna be different. Plus the new code is going to require a geotech with findings for any building in seismic areas D,and E. And everything in CA appears to be in those 2 areas. That will add a few grand to the price. There is a place in Arizona in Quartzite that sells those metal structures used and new. They are heavier gage and built for stonger winds. Building materials there are a lot cheaper. I built a 14' by 54' carport that attached to the house. I got used material and all the hardware from arizona and fit it all on my trailer. It was 1400 dollars, so shop around a little. I am a building inspector so I see this stuff everyday. And for the record I am not a code enforcement officer and could care less if you get a permit or not. I just dont want to deal with it after the fact, its a pain in the *** for everyone. Just make sure you anchor them really well. The uplift on those is huge, and it will fly away. Sorry for the lengthy answer.

[Bill K]

The freestanding one's that Wal-Mart sell (get the heavy duty type) can be erected on most propertys. I would check with your city/co building officer first and go from there. They are about the best buy for metal carports anywhere. Bill K

[TonyL]

Yeahh , I've got one of those ! Been Great for the last 1.5yrs.I got it at Pep boys 12x25' , heavier construction , doesn't have sides , for $299. More than paid for itself !

[medfish]

better built biuldings in sac and portable stagage sheds in anderson and cover all(don't know if still in buss) rio linda are all ones that I have put up before. simple to put up, they will make it to what ever size you need WxHxL (highier sometimes is better) you just tell them what you need and they will make it to fit, and bring it to you home.(even put up for extra fee, too much if you ask me) you can even buy extra siding to make it go lower if you want..(keeps more weather out) as far as codes; must cities and counties define stuctures as temp or permanent...if you simply bolt it to the ground, it is said that you can just unbolt and un screw and take it with you you most cities say OK(neigbors diff story) companies above inclued plans and engineering specs to pass any codes......... any other questions just ask Good luck Mike

[TDawg]

Yes they do require a building permit in just about any city or county. Building Code requires a building permit for any structure that is 120 square feet and larger, which is about 10x12. I am a planner and I see these structures come across the counter everyday. The permit cost for most of these to cover a bass boat is only a few hundred dollars, which is pretty cheap given the prices of a new boat. Brambo is right they will not keep moisture out! Make sure that you check with your local city/county planning and building departments for setback requirements and if they have them snow load requirements. Also, yes all metal carports require engineering on them and yes they need to be wet signed by the engineer who did the calculations. Wet signed means stamped and actually singed by the engineer, not a photocopy. In addition, most cities/counties do not recognize "portable" structures. The definition of a structure is anything that is built or constructed and which requires location on or in the ground or attached to something that is on or in the ground.

[SHAFT]

Are there any requirements that apply to a Sea/Land type cargo container to be used for storage on your property ?

[brambo0311]

Shaft check with your county/city. They are banned in mine.

[SHAFT]

Thanks

[Par]

Thanks folks,
Dusty

[fharris]

COVERALL IN RIO LINDA!!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT PEOPLE AND EASY TO ERECT STRONGEST AND BEST WARRANTY OUT THERE. ALSO YOU CAN ADD LENGTH IF NEEDED ANYTIME YOU WANT.