Hail storms and severe weather does more than $15 billion in damage each year. And though roof damage is relatively easy to fix, it’s not what causes you to cringe every time you hear the sound of hailstones outside.
That reaction gets reserved for your car. When it’s left out in the elements, even small hail can do serious damage to your paint job and the body itself. But if you don’t have a garage, how can you keep your ride safe?
You build a carport.
But finding experienced carport builders to create the perfect shelter for your vehicle can be tough. Before you agree to work with anyone, ask your contractors these questions.
Do I Need to Worry About Zoning in My Area?
Yes. Every neighborhood is different, and before you can install the carport at your house, you need to make sure they’re permitted by your area’s zoning regulations.
Speak with your local government to check what’s permitted and what’s not allowed on your property. They’ll provide you with sizing and material restrictions if any exist. You’ll also be able to request the necessary building permits for the installation at this time.
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you’ll also need to check with them. Unfortunately, some HOAs don’t permit carports, even if they’re not visible from the street. If you install one anyway, you could face fines and get forced to take it down.
What Type of Warranty Do You Offer?
Reputable builders offer warranties both on their work and their products. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure you understand the types of warranties included in your purchase.
Get the details from each contractor you speak with. This gives you a way to compare companies and pick the best contractor for your needs.
Though you shouldn’t base your decision solely on the warranty offered, it can help you narrow down your choices. And if a contractor doesn’t offer a warranty for their work, look elsewhere. Trustworthy companies stand behind their installations and will do everything they can to make things right.
Can I Customize the Carport to Fit My Needs?
Not all builders offer custom carport solutions. If you know exactly what you want, you need to work with professional installers that can bring your vision to life.
Custom builders will work with you to design, build, and install the perfect car storage system for your home. This means you’ll need to discuss your ideas, your concerns, and your property’s specifications before you can buy the carport in the first place.
Think about what you need the carport to accomplish. Are you looking for a simple way to keep your car out of the elements? Or do you need a partially enclosed unit with an attached lockable shed?
The better you understand your needs, the sooner your builders can create the carport you need.
Do You Offer Financing?
Any home improvement project costs money. Your carport installation is no different. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay out-of-pocket.
Many companies offer in-house financing to help you pay for the project in smaller installments. Others, particularly smaller operations, don’t, and you’ll have to take out a personal loan through a bank.
This takes time and can result in higher interest fees for the life of the loan. If you’re not paying cash for the project, look for a company that offers financing. You’ll likely get a better rate and have a better chance of getting approved for the loan in the first place.
Are Your Carport Builders Licensed and Insured?
As a homeowner, you’re responsible for everything that happens on your property. This means if someone gets injured while working for you, you could be liable for their injuries and medical expenses.
That’s why you always need to work with contractors that are fully licensed and insured.
They have the experienced required to install your carport safely. But more importantly, they carry their own liability and workers’ compensation insurance. These policies protect you from liability if a worker gets injured during the installation.
Should something happen, their coverage will pay for the necessary medical treatments. And if they damage your property during the installation, their liability coverage will pay for the repairs.
This can save you thousands depending on the severity of the injury or damage.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Carports may look simple, but they’re responsible for protecting your car. And with the average price of a new car falling around $36,000, you want to make sure the installation gets done correctly.
The best way to do this is to work with a company that has years of experience installing these structures. The more experience they have, the better prepared they are to work with different soil types, navigate around tight corners, and get your carport installed quickly.
Inexperienced installation teams may cost less, but you get what you pay for.
What Do I Need to Do to Get Ready for Installation?
You will need to get your property ready for your carport, and your contractor will tell you what you need to do for your specific property.
But in general, you’ll need to move all cars, bikes, and equipment away from the installation site. If you have low-hanging limbs and tall trees nearby, you may need to get the branches trimmed to accommodate the new carport.
On the day of installation, make sure the crew can access your driveway by moving all cars to the street and away from the installation site. If you have small children or pets on the property, make sure they’re kept away from the work zone.
The crew will make sure the site itself is level and ready for the build.
Final Thoughts
Hiring carport builders is the best way to have a new carport installed. And as long as you ask them these simple questions, you’ll know you’ve picked the right team to handle the job.
Ready to get your free quote and to speak with our dedicated team? Contact us today to discuss your needs and see how our carports can make a difference.