A well-planned carport does more than protect your vehicle. It can improve street appeal, add everyday convenience, and enhance the value of your home. But when the planning is rushed or key steps are overlooked, the experience can become far more complicated than it needs to be. A carport is still a structural addition to your property, so the process benefits from the same care and preparation you would give to any long-term investment in your home.
To help you start your project with confidence, here are five common mistakes homeowners make when building a carport, and how to avoid them.
1. Starting Before Understanding Council Requirements
In Western Australia, each council has its own rules around setbacks, heights and where a carport can be positioned. Many homeowners choose a design they like, only to discover later that it does not meet local requirements. This is where delays, redesigns and extra costs often appear. Even small changes like adjusting the roof height or shifting the posts can force the entire design to be reworked.
Advanced Patios includes council applications as part of its full project management service, which means compliance is considered from the very beginning rather than after the design is finalised. This helps prevent surprises later in the process and keeps your project moving in the right order.
2. Choosing a Design That Doesn’t Suit the Home
A carport should look like it belongs to your home. One of the most common mistakes is selecting a design that covers the car but clashes with the house. If the scale is off or the roof style competes with the existing architecture, the structure can feel disconnected. A carport that doesn’t match the property can also affect how spacious the entryway feels and how cohesive the exterior looks from the street.
Because every project at Advanced Patios is custom designed, the carport is tailored to the home’s proportions, roofline, and the way the space is used. This helps ensure the final result feels balanced, practical, and visually consistent with the rest of the property.
3. Underestimating Perth’s Climate
Perth’s weather can be extreme, with long hot summers, strong sun, and coastal conditions. A carport needs to handle these elements year after year. A common error is choosing materials on appearance or price alone, without considering long term durability. Shade, ventilation, heat reflection, and structural strength all matter when you live in a climate with strong UV exposure and seasonal winds.
Advanced Patios builds with premium materials such as Stratco Outback and Colorbond, which are engineered for Australian conditions. This focus on durability helps ensure the structure performs well throughout the seasons and continues to provide reliable protection for your vehicle and outdoor space.
4. Focusing Only on the Lowest Price
Comparing quotes is normal, but the cheapest option is not always the best value. If a carport isn’t properly engineered or built with quality materials, issues can develop over time, such as movement, leaks, or a structure that doesn’t feel robust. These problems may not appear immediately, but can lead to costly repairs down the track.
Advanced Patios has been operating since 2008 and is WA owned and operated. Their experience and end to end project management provide homeowners with confidence that each structure is built to last. A well built carport should feel solid, safe and reliable from the moment it is installed and continue performing that way for years.
5. Not Planning for Practical Use
Many people design their carport solely around the size of the car. In reality, the space often becomes much more than that. It may be where you unload shopping, get kids in and out of the car, or store bikes and equipment. It can also become an area that connects to the rest of your outdoor space, so it needs to be easy to move through. Without planning for these everyday moments, the structure can feel tighter or less convenient than expected.
Thinking about how you will actually use the space helps you design a carport that supports your lifestyle, not just your vehicle. Extra room in the right places can make the entire space far more functional.
Build Your Carport With Confidence
Avoiding these common mistakes comes down to good planning, clear guidance and choosing a builder with a proven process. Advanced Patios provides custom outdoor solutions and full project management from design to completion, using materials suited to WA conditions. Their focus on quality, durability and tailored design helps ensure your carport feels like a natural extension of your home.
A well designed carport isn’t just a shelter. It supports the way you live, protects what matters and enhances your home every day.
