When I got the call for a decent sized wooden carport, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Most people are shopping around for prices. But this homeowner knew exactly what she wanted and was eager to get it done. My drawings ended up aligning with her vision and we were at the mercy of the city inspector.
Obstacles Building the Wooden Carport.
Despite massive communication, the code enforcement office decided to be a pain. They wanted me to build the wooden carport 5 feet off the house. Since it wasn’t going to be connected, they wanted to make sure the homeowner didn’t eventually attach the structure (and not pay their dues). It was pretty petty experience.
Building Sense Eventually Prevailed.
After some persistence, I was able to persuade them to let us build over the driveway. As long as I was able to connect the wooden carport to the house. I suggested building a small canopy over the side door to classify the structure as an extension of the house.
Of course, the City had to take a few lot measurements. It took a few days, but the permit was finally approved. I could finally break ground.
Additional Carport Construction Problems.
Once I was able to start digging the post holes, I thought the project would be smooth sailing. The entire wooden carport was customized. At this point in the project, I pretty much had the design memorized. Either way, I figured I’d still run into a few challenges.
Some Errors Aren’t Honest Mistakes.
Before this build, I’ve had a pretty good experience with my lumberyard. I won’t name names, so they have a chance to redeem themselves. But their mistakes really set me back on this wooden carport. I needed 20 foot 2×8″ headers and 16 footers were delivered. The next day, I realized they gave me the wrong ties.
To be fair, I should have double checked the orders. Especially the boxes I took. Since this job was in Bartlett, I had to make some long trips that cost me a few days. It’s one of those situations where you either win or your learn. Even when you have a good plan, oversight will cost ya.
Building the Wooden Carport.
Aside from the city and the lumberyard, the construction process went well. Building this type of wooden carport really wasn’t that complicated. By the end of the first day, I had the posts wrapped with headers. The next day, I started installing the cross beams so I could tie in the joists. I should have cut off the posts beforehand.
A Few More Unexpected Things.
Installing the roofing wasn’t as easy as I planned either. I struggled to find quality metal roof paneling – in black. After too much shopping, I settled on a few sheets from Home Depot. It was tough finding material that wasn’t damaged or scratched. In the end, I got the best product I could.
I was ecstatic when my framing lined up perfectly with the metal panels. I couldn’t have picked a hotter week to build this wooden carport. Good thing my son was around to help me keep a cool head. Boy, was it hot!
Another Custom Structure Complete.
I didn’t notch this wooden carport, but I did strengthen the post connection with 7″ lag screws. Of course they were black to match the roof. A nice strip of 4″ drip edge flashing was nailed on the front edge to handle the 4/12 grade. Overall, I think the structure looks great.
The customer told me the structure was “built better than [she] imagined”. We still needed to pass inspection, but I definitely appreciated it. I work really hard to provide a quality experience. These comments are what it’s all about!
