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Questions and answers
Cost, council approval, roofing, timing and what happens on the day. Still not sure? Call us — the builder answers.
Cost and approvals
How much does a patio cost in Brisbane?
It depends on the size, the style and whether it is single skin or insulated. Book a free on-site quote: we measure up and give you the price for your size.
Do I need council approval for a patio or carport?
Usually, yes. In Queensland a structure needs a building approval if it is over 10 m², taller than 2.4 m at the peak (2.1 m for a patio), within 6 m of the front boundary, or longer than 5 m along a boundary. We prepare and lodge the approval for you as part of the job.
Does a shade sail need council approval?
Usually, yes. In Queensland a shade sail is exempt only up to 10 m² including the overhang, 2.4 m high and no side over 5 m, and it still has to meet the setbacks (typically 6 m to the street and 1.5 m to the side). Most sails are bigger than that. A Colorbond roof needs approval too, but it is waterproof, built for your wind rating and lasts for decades.
Do you handle the plans and engineering?
Yes. We draw the site plan, get the engineering signed and prepare the Form 15, then lodge the approval. You do not need to find a draftsman or engineer yourself.
Can you build next to the boundary?
Sometimes. Single skin roofs can go as close as 450 mm and insulated roofs 900 mm from a side boundary, with the right approval. Check our council approvals page for the rules, or ask us about your block.
Roofing and design
What is the difference between single skin and insulated?
Single skin is one sheet of Colorbond steel — strong and the cheapest option, but hotter and louder in rain. Insulated panels have two steel skins with insulation between, so they are much cooler and quieter and give you a finished ceiling for downlights and fans.
Can I choose the colour?
Yes. Roof sheets, beams, posts, gutters and flashings come in the Colorbond range, and insulated panels can have a different colour on the ceiling side. See our colours page, and we bring real samples to the on-site quote.
Can I add downlights or a ceiling fan?
With insulated panels, yes — downlights and fans are fitted straight into the ceiling. On a single skin roof, lights can be fixed to the beams instead.
What wind rating are your patios and carports?
Our builds are engineered for the wind rating of your site — most of South East Queensland is N2 or N3. Higher and cyclonic ratings are available where needed.
Can you build on my existing concrete slab?
Often, yes. Posts can be bolted to an existing slab on welded base plates if the slab is thick enough and reinforced. Otherwise the posts go into new concrete footings. We check this when we measure up.
The build
What happens at the on-site quote?
We measure up, look at access, the slab or ground and where the roof fixes to the house, and go through styles and colours with you. You get a fixed price for your design afterwards.
How long does it take?
After approval, materials take about 2–4 weeks to arrive. Most builds are finished within a few days of starting, and materials are never left at your home longer than 14 working days.
Do I need to be home during the build?
Not the whole time. We need access to the site and power, and it helps if you are there at the start to confirm the set-out. We keep you posted on each step.
Are you licensed?
Yes — QBCC licence 15264446. Every build uses Australian-made Colorbond and BlueScope steel from suppliers we have used for years.
What areas do you build in?
Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Redlands, parts of the Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast. Put your postcode in the service area search to check.
Can I buy a kit and build it myself?
Yes. We sell DIY kits, such as a 6 × 6 m freestanding carport kit, delivered with everything you need. See DIY kits.
Council rules by area
Every council treats patios and carports a little differently. These are the questions we get most in each area.
Patios and carports in Logan (Logan City Council)
Can I build a carport to the front boundary in Logan?
Often, yes. Logan lets an open carport up to 6 m × 6 m and 3.5 m high sit right up to the front boundary without a referral application. Bigger, taller or enclosed carports need council’s approval for the setback first. We check your lot and handle that if it is needed.
Does a patio in Logan need council approval?
A roofed, open patio is minor building work under the Logan scheme, so it usually needs only a building approval from a private certifier, which we arrange. Council gets involved when the patio breaks a setback, the site cover limit or sits in a flood or landslide overlay.
How big can my patio be on a small lot in Logan?
It depends on the precinct. In small lot areas everything roofed can cover up to 60% of the lot, in the standard suburban precinct 50%. Measure the house, garage and any existing roof and we can tell you how much room is left.
Patios and carports in Brisbane (Brisbane City Council)
Do I need approval for a patio on a character house in Brisbane?
A patio at the back of a pre-1947 character home is usually assessed like any other patio. Anything forward of the house, such as a carport in the front yard, is restricted by the traditional building character overlay and usually needs council approval first.
How wide can a carport be in Brisbane?
On a lot under 450 m² the garage door and carport facing the street together can be up to 6 m wide. On larger lots the width is decided by the setback rules. We measure up and tell you what fits.
Do I need council approval for a patio in Brisbane?
A patio is accepted development under Brisbane City Plan’s building work table, so on most lots it needs only a building approval from a private certifier, which we arrange. Council gets involved for a character home overlay, a setback that is not met, or building over stormwater.
Who approves building near a sewer in Brisbane?
Sewer and water mains are Urban Utilities’ assets and stormwater is council’s. A compliant design is approved by the private certifier; if a footing has to go closer than the standard allows, a build-over application goes to the owner of that pipe.
All Brisbane rules and suburbs
Patios and carports in Ipswich (Ipswich City Council)
Can I have two carports at the front in Ipswich?
One open carport can sit in the front setback on a lot of 450 m² or more when there is no other place for it. A second one in the front setback, or any carport over 7 m wide there, needs an amenity and aesthetics approval from council.
Do I need council approval for a patio in Ipswich?
A roofed patio or deck always needs a building approval in Ipswich, which we arrange through a private certifier. Council itself only gets involved if the patio breaks a setback or the site cover limit (check the figure for your lot with council), or sits in an overlay.
Is an insulated roof worth it in Ipswich?
Usually, yes. Ipswich summers are hotter than Brisbane’s, and an insulated panel keeps the area underneath much cooler than a single skin sheet. It also gives a flat ceiling for lights and a fan.
Did the new Ipswich planning scheme change the rules?
Yes. Ipswich City Plan 2025 replaced the old scheme, and version 2 started on 1 July 2026. Some figures moved, so we check every Ipswich job against the current version.
Patios and carports in Redlands (Redland City Council)
How close to a canal can I build a patio in the Redlands?
Redland City Plan keeps buildings and structures 9 m back from a canal wall, revetment wall or artificial lake. A patio closer than that needs council approval.
Can I build a carport on the boundary in the Redlands?
Usually, yes. Redland City Plan lets a carport, garage or shed sit close to a side or rear boundary if everything in that setback runs no more than 9 m along it, stays under 4.5 m high (3.5 m average) and keeps 1.5 m from a neighbour’s habitable window.
What materials should I use near the water in Cleveland or Victoria Point?
Close to the bay we use coastal-grade steel and stainless fixings. They cost a little more but stand up to salt air far longer. We tell you at the measure-up whether your home needs them.
Can I build a patio over the sewer in the Redlands?
Often. Redland allows a lightweight patio or carport on a slab without footings to run up to 10 m over a sewer, keeping clear of manholes and the connection point. Closer than that needs council approval with engineering.
All Redlands rules and suburbs
Patios and carports in Scenic Rim (Scenic Rim Regional Council)
How big a shed or carport can I build in the Scenic Rim?
In residential zones all your outbuildings together can total 55 m² on a lot of 600 m² or less, 110 m² up to 2,000 m², and 200 m² on bigger lots, single storey and no taller than the house. Rural zones have their own rules; we check yours at the measure-up.
Do I need council approval for a patio in the Scenic Rim?
A patio needs a building approval, which we arrange through a private certifier. Council becomes involved when the design misses one of the Scenic Rim scheme’s setbacks, such as 6 m to the street in town or 10 m on rural and township lots.
Do you build on Tamborine Mountain?
Yes. Tamborine Mountain blocks are often steep and in a bushfire area, so we plan the footings and materials around that. Call us and we will come out and look.
Do I need a carport for my house in the Scenic Rim?
The Scenic Rim planning scheme asks every house to have at least one covered car space on site, so if you have none, a carport is often the simplest way to meet it.
All Scenic Rim rules and suburbs
Patios and carports in Gold Coast (City of Gold Coast)
Can I put a carport in my front yard on the Gold Coast?
Possibly, but not as of right. The City assesses each front setback carport, generally up to about 3 m high to the fascia and 6 m wide. We prepare the referral to council as part of the job.
Do I need council approval for a patio on the Gold Coast?
An attached patio at the back needs a building approval, which we arrange, and usually nothing from council. It goes to council if it misses a setback (typically 1.5 m to the side), sits near a canal wall or council pipes, or is an upper deck that needs privacy screening.
Do you build on the Gold Coast?
Yes, mostly the northern suburbs: Ormeau, Pimpama, Coomera, Upper Coomera, Helensvale and Oxenford. For larger jobs we go further south. Put your postcode in the search above or call us.
Does a freestanding carport need council approval on the Gold Coast?
It needs a building approval, which we arrange. Council gets involved if it is in the front setback, or if your detached outbuildings together go over the size limit for your lot (36 m² on lots under 800 m²) or 4.5 m high.
Still have a question?
Call Fons or Mony, or send us a message — we reply within one business day.