Carport needed

[zippy_gg]

My 2 car garage is only big enough to house my wife's Saab and my Beemer bike with lift, plus my workbench. Sadly this means my Carrera and the Benz get to sleep outside. There is no room for a garage expansion so I am looking to have a carport built in the driveway since I have space.
I am thinking of a pergola type made of wood with some Sunbrella fabric on top to provide protection from the sun. We have very little rain her, and frost is not an issue.
Can anyone recommend a contractor in the L.A. area for that type of work?
Any cons? Idea of cost for that 2 car carport?
All advice appreciated. Thanks!

[Noah930]

Any setback limits or ordinances against that type of thing in your neighborhood? I'm guessing no if you're asking the question, but it would suck to build something and then have to tear it down.

I thought of building a pergola/lath type thing in the backyard. My sister (an architect) mentioned to me that building a free-standing structure had different permit (and engineering) ramifications than a structure tied into (connected to) your existing house. Either way would obviously be do-able, but just a matter of $. Just something to consider.

[RWebb]

there are also plastic panels you can use - I like the bronze tinted ones but forget the name of them.

also check on any covenants

[willtel]

I'm posting this picture again because I like it and it seems to get people riled up.


Carport by willtel, on Flickr

[Zeke]

I have both a solid covered car port and patio cover with 2 x 3 sticks going both ways and covered with lexan panels. Both work well but the stick cover is nicer looking.

Another this-is-what-I-do-for-a-living thread (or why my 911 has sat for 2 months)

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by willtel

I'm posting this picture again because I like it and it seems to get people riled up.

Why? It's just a water pumper.

[vmisquez]

I'm pondering building a portable carport ( steel frame on wheels) this way you could push it around anywhere; load it on a flatbed etc... and not need a permit for an attached structure.
Then again I'm sure there is some city policy preventing me from building/using it.

[RWebb]

the stick cover is also a great place for death dealing spiders to hide

but it definitely looks nicer

[CHICKS]

Dont buy from Coast to Coast carports.

[zippy_gg]

I want for the carport to match the 2 gazebos I have in my backyard. 1 came with the house when we bought it last year, and it is old, and we added the 2nd with a deck and a French door (I'll post pictures).
I have an architect friend looking into permitting but we should be good with the size and location. The idea is to complement the look of the house and add value, so I am not interested the portable kind or a kit,
Zeke, I really would love to see pictures of your garage. The covered patio looks fabulous.
Thanks for the advice guys... keep it coming!

[porsche4life]

Kick the SAAB outside.....

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Kick the SAAB outside.....

You go tell the wife!!!

[porsche4life]

Saabs aren't woth protecting from the elements...


Point out to her that it is hurting the resale of your classic car....

[Noah930]

I don't think Sidney has any problem telling your wife to park her car outside... It's you who's p-whipped.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Any setback limits.... but it would suck to build something and then have to tear it down.

Absolutely. A carport (or the building committee-friendly “driveway pergola”) can be a tricky animal when it comes to receiving city approval. Some cities tend to be more generous in their approvals if the structure is freestanding vs. connecting to the main house. We’ve been in “lengthy” discussions with our committee for a few months regarding the proximity of our pergola to the property line, spacing of the rafter tails, etc….finicky crap. I was hoping to have it finished by this month, now I’m just hoping to have it up by Fall. Hopefully your municipality is a little more in tune with reality.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Saabs aren't worth protecting from the elements...


Point out to her that it is hurting the resale of your classic car....

Her Saab is also a cab and in very good shape. She waited so long to get it... and now she is a happy camper.
She may actually be OK parking under the new carport when it is built and the Carrera would take its place in the garage. Also realistically the 911 will need more work done and I want to get a scissor lift, so the garage will be a better place for it.
Yeah, that's it! That's the new plan!

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Absolutely. A carport (or the building committee-friendly “driveway pergola”) can be a tricky animal when it comes to receiving city approval. Some cities tend to be more generous in their approvals if the structure is freestanding vs. connecting to the main house. We’ve been in “lengthy” discussions with our committee for a few months regarding the proximity of our pergola to the property line, spacing of the rafter tails, etc….finicky crap. I was hoping to have it finished by this month, now I’m just hoping to have it up by Fall. Hopefully your municipality is a little more in tune with reality.

That is what I am thinking about, a 2 car version of that.
Mine will be detached from the house and will be at about or greater distance from the property line than the house itself.
Is this your design? Are you building it yourself?
What difficulties did you run into?
You can PM me if you prefer.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Is this your design?.

Yep.

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

Are you building it yourself?.

That was the original plan but work has been (fortunately) very busy this year….the design work that pays the bills always seems to take precedence.
However, the “Doers” thread from a couple weeks ago has motivated me to take care of it myself (the bids from a couple contractors might also have something to do with it).

Originally Posted by zippy_gg

What difficulties did you run into?.

So far the biggest difficulty has been dealing with the city. Once (and if) we receive approval, the only difficulty I hope to encounter will be digging for the footings and dealing with the roots from the adjacent buckeyes

[Zeke]

Zippy, you really don't want to see pics of my garage. As I said on the Garage Journal the other day, "I work out in a patch of dirt surrounded by metal cabinets of a much lesser gauge. Maybe some day I'll get a roof on the affair. Banana and palm leaves would be a big step."

[Hugh R]

I'd consider a pop up that you hold down with sandbags, no permit, you can take it places, and move it around the driveway.