The most common mistake we see is a carport that is just big enough on paper. Doors need room to open, people need room to walk past, and a 4WD with a roof rack is taller than it looks. Here is how we size carports on site.
Width: allow for open doors
A single carport is usually about 3 m wide and a double about 6 m. If you have a large ute or want to open doors on both sides without squeezing past the posts, go wider — an extra 300 to 500 mm makes a real difference every day.
- Single car: around 3 m wide
- Two cars: around 6 m wide
- Two large cars or a car and a trailer: 6.5 to 7 m
Depth: measure your longest vehicle
Most cars fit under 6 m of depth. Long utes, a car with a bike rack, or a boat on a trailer may need 7 m or more. Measure the longest vehicle you own, then add room to walk around the front and back.
Height: caravans and boats change everything
A standard carport clears most cars and 4WDs. Caravans, motorhomes and boats on trailers often need a much higher roof. Measure the highest point of the van — air conditioner and aerials included — and add a safety margin.
This is where flyover and gable carports help: a flyover lifts the roof above your gutter, and a gable gives extra height in the middle.
Council rules that affect size
In Queensland most carports over 10 m² need approval. Carports can often be built to the side boundary if they are under 9 m long and stay open on at least two sides; longer carports usually need a 1.5 m setback. Front-of-house carports within 6 m of the road boundary may need a relaxation.
We check this on site and handle the approval as part of the job.
Our advice
- Measure your vehicles, not the space you have left
- Allow for opening doors and walking past
- Plan for the vehicle you might own in five years
- Choose a flyover or gable if height matters