A carport costs about $6,385 on average installed in 2026 (Angi), with Fixr averaging $8,439 for a slab-mounted steel example and HomeGuide pricing metal carports at $8 to $20 per square foot.1,2,3 Single-car metal carports run $2,000 to $4,800 and two-car models $3,000 to $8,000 per HomeGuide.2 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on size, material, prefab or custom, the slab and local permit rules.
$6,385
average, Angi
$8,439
average, Fixr
$8 – $20
per sq ft metal, HomeGuide
$12 – $40
per sq ft, Angi
Metal carport by size (HomeGuide)
| Size (ft) | Installed price | Holds |
|---|---|---|
| 12 x 20 | $2,000 – $4,800 | 1 car |
| 18 x 20 | $3,000 – $7,200 | 2 cars |
| 20 x 20 | $3,200 – $8,000 | 2 cars or SUVs |
| 30 x 20 | $4,800 – $12,000 | 3 cars |
| 40 x 20 | $6,400 – $16,000 | 4 cars |
| 30 x 24 | $5,800 – $14,400 | 3 cars |
| 40 x 24 | $7,700 – $19,200 | 6 cars |
HomeGuide says these include delivery and installation on level land.2 They work out to roughly $8 to $20 per square foot, matching its per-foot figure.
Prefab vs custom
| Source | Prefab | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Fixr, installed | $2,000 – $7,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Fixr, per sq ft | $10 – $15 and up | up to $35 |
| HomeGuide, installed | $2,000 – $7,200 ($8 – $18 per sq ft) | $2,400 – $8,000+ ($10 – $20+ per sq ft) |
Fixr sizes (installed)
| Area | Prefab | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| 252 sq ft | $2,520 – $3,780 | $3,780 – $8,820 |
| 288 sq ft | $2,880 – $4,320 | $4,320 – $10,080 |
| 432 sq ft | $4,320 – $6,480 | $6,480 – $15,120 |
| 576 sq ft | $5,760 – $8,640 | $8,640 – $20,160 |
Angi has a typo and a different basis. Its text says most homeowners spend $3,129 to $9,703 “per square foot,” which has to mean total dollars, and its $12 to $40 per square foot is wider than HomeGuide’s $8 to $20 for metal.1,2 Fixr’s $8,439 example includes a 4-inch slab and two walls, so it is not a bare carport.3
Material (per square foot)
| Material | HomeGuide installed | Angi materials |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | $8 – $15 | metal $5 – $20 |
| Aluminum | $8 – $20 | metal $5 – $20 |
| Galvanized steel | $9 – $17 | metal $5 – $20 |
| Wood | n/a | $3 – $25 |
| Polycarbonate | n/a | $12 – $20 (avg $16) |
HomeGuide says portable fabric-roof carports cost $400 to $1,200 and suit mild climates only.2
Extras that add to the bill
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Permit | $75 – $300 (permanent metal); $60 – $800 or more | HomeGuide; Angi |
| Concrete slab | $4 – $8 per sq ft; $1,200 – $2,800 per car | Angi |
| Site leveling, minor | about $150 | Angi |
| Labor if not in kit price | about $10 per sq ft | Angi |
| Electrician | about $100 per hour | Angi |
| Outdoor outlet | $150 – $350 | HomeGuide |
| Gutters | $12 – $25 per linear foot | HomeGuide |
| Extra bracing | $50 – $100 per brace | HomeGuide |
| Delivery, site over 50 ft from road | about $50 | Angi |
Angi says a carport needs no full foundation but does need a reasonably level site, and that you should check permit rules because a permit keeps the structure insurable and to code.1 HomeGuide says small temporary carports typically skip a permit.2
DIY or hire
Kits are sold with or without installation, and Fixr notes some sellers ship a kit and leave the build to you.3 Pick your wind and snow load rating by local code, not by price (our view). Home Depot’s carport section lists current kits (plain link, not affiliate).
Related guides
Garage Door Installation Cost
Concrete Driveway Cost
Shed Cost
Electrician Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. Angi — How Much Does a Carport Cost to Install?
2. HomeGuide — Metal Carport Prices
3. Fixr — Cost to Build a Carport