A steel carport in Krabi can cost very different amounts depending on the site, and that is not us being evasive. Two carports of the same footprint can be priced far apart because one sits on firm concrete next to a solid wall and the other goes on soft ground by the sea, with no truck access. Our jobs start from 10,000 THB, and beyond that the price comes from a site survey and a written, itemised quote.
This guide explains what actually moves the number, so you can read a quote properly and decide where to spend and where to save. If you already know roughly what you want, the steel carport service page shows the styles we build.
Why there is no carport price list
Most homeowners expect a price per square metre. The trouble is that a per-square-metre figure hides almost everything that matters:
- Steel prices move. We price with the material cost at the time of quoting, not a figure from last year.
- The site sets the structure. Span, ground conditions and wind exposure decide the size of posts and beams, and heavier steel costs more.
- Extras are real costs. Gutters, downpipes, flashing against the house, footings and rust protection are all separate lines.
A price list would either be too high for simple jobs or too low for difficult ones. You can read more about how we approach this on our pricing page and the carport price guide.
What drives the quote
Size and span
Width, depth and height are the obvious ones. Less obvious is the span between posts. A wider gap with no post in the middle needs deeper beams. If you drive a pickup with a roof rack or a canopy, measure the real height, because a taller carport means longer posts and more exposure to wind.
A carport with no front posts, where the roof projects out from posts at the back, is the most expensive layout for its size. See cantilever roofs for how that works and when it makes sense.
Roof sheet
The roof covering is a large part of the material cost. Common choices:
- Metal sheet (plain): usually the lowest cost, but noisy in heavy rain and hot underneath.
- Metal sheet with insulation backing: quieter and cooler, costs more.
- Polycarbonate: lets light through, useful beside windows, but can get hot and needs the right sheet for sun exposure.
Each has trade-offs in heat, noise and lifespan, and we explain them on site rather than pushing one.
Attachment to the house
Fixing a carport to the house can save a row of posts, but only if the wall or eave can take the load. Some Thai houses have a brick infill wall with no beam where you would want to fix. In that case we either add posts along the house side or fix to a structural beam if there is one. The joint between the new roof and the old house also needs flashing, a strip of sheet metal that stops water running in behind. Getting this wrong is the most common cause of leaks, so it is not a place to cut corners.
Ground and footings
Posts need footings. On an existing thick concrete slab the job is simpler. On garden soil, fill, or ground that gets waterlogged in the rainy season, footings must be larger. If there are pipes or a septic tank under the spot you want, we need to know before digging.
Rust protection
You choose the steel grade and the rust protection. Near the coast in Ao Nang, Klong Muang or Ko Lanta, salt air attacks steel much faster than inland, so a better coating system pays back. Further inland a simpler system may be enough. We go into detail in our article on rust protection for steel near the sea.
Access and location
If a small truck can park next to the job, material handling is simple. Narrow sois, steep driveways, a long carry through a garden or a boat crossing all add labour time. For remote or boat-access areas such as Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi there is a travel fee, which we state clearly.
How to get an accurate quote without a visit first
You do not need to book a survey before you know whether the project is roughly affordable. Send us these on LINE and Rong can give you a much more useful first answer:
- Photos of the space from the street, from each side and from the house wall.
- A close photo of the eave or wall where the roof would meet the house.
- Rough measurements: width, depth and the height you need.
- What vehicle will park there.
- What is on the ground now: concrete, paving, soil or grass.
- Your location, or a map pin.
- Your preferred roof sheet, if you have one.
After that we book the free survey, measure properly and send a written itemised quote.
Reading the quote
When you compare quotes, check that each includes the same things:
- Steel size and wall thickness for posts and beams
- Roof sheet type and thickness
- Rust protection system, including cut ends and welds
- Gutters, downpipes and flashing
- Footings and any concrete work
- Removal of waste
- Warranty terms
Our quotes come with a one-year warranty under the site conditions written in the quote. Our article on hiring a builder in Krabi as a foreigner covers deposits, receipts and warranties in more detail.
Where you can save, and where you should not
Reasonable places to save
- A simple lean-to (single slope) roof instead of a gable or curved one
- Plain metal sheet if noise and heat are not a concern
- Using an existing concrete slab
- Labour-only, if you are confident buying the right materials yourself
Places not to save
- Flashing and gutters where the carport meets the house
- Footing size
- Rust protection near the coast
- Steel sizes on wide spans
If a lighter shade over a door or window is all you need rather than a full carport, an awning may cover it at lower cost.
Next step
If you are thinking about a carport, send a few photos and your location through LINE on our contact page. Rong will look at them and tell you honestly what the survey needs to check.
