The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the UK property market, with sales soaring one month and diving the next, and while it is a difficult time to buy or sell a new home, it is the perfect time to upgrade an existing one. With more of us spending more time at home and more of us expected to continue working from home in the future, our property wish list has shifted. Homebuyers are focusing more on the property size and features such as private parking and outdoor space rather than location or accessibility to the nearest town. And as a result, home improvements are booming. One of the most cost-effective ways to improve your home is by installing a carport, but will it add value to your property? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including benefits, costs and building regulations, to help you decide if it’s the right upgrade to make. The Benefits Of A Carport The benefits of installing a carport are well-documented and, if you do not have a covered space to park your car, it could be the perfect investment for your property. Not only will it shelter your vehicle from the elements, but it could protect against theft and vandalism and, if you live in a high-crime area, it could make a difference to your car insurance premiums. Other benefits of a carport include: 1.Provides additional outdoor space for bikes, sports equipment, and garden furniture 2.Saves time when parking – you’ll never have to look for a free space again 3.Protects against UV and weather damage (falling branches etc.) 4.Less costly than building a garage 5.Easy to erect without installing foundations Much Do Carports Cost? The beauty of carports is that they are relatively inexpensive to buy and install. You can buy a DIY pre-fabricated kit for as little as £600, but to have a single carport installed by a professional company will cost anywhere between £2,000 and £4,000. When you consider that the average garage costs more than £10,000 to build, carports are considerably cheaper. Best of all, they come in many different materials, colours, and designs to suit both urban and rural environments, so finding the right one for your home is easy. Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) and steel are the most popular materials used to make carports today, with wooden alternatives available for those who are looking for an environmentally-friendly option. Designs include cantilever carports, archway carports, and lean-to carports, which you can customise to complement any property or outdoor space. Do I Need To Apply For Building Regulations For a Carport? In most instances, you do not need to apply for planning permission or building regulations for a carport in the UK; however, some rules apply. Before you install one, you should make sure that it meets the following criteria: 1.It is single storey carport 2.It has a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres 3.It is open on at least two sides 4.The internal floor area does not exceed 30m2 5.It doesn’t take up more than 50 per cent of the land surrounding your property 6.It is not built on the front-facing wall of your home If your carport doesn’t meet the above criteria, you should contact your local planning authority for advice before you start construction. If your home is in a National Park, World Heritage Site, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, further rules may apply. Make sure you know them all and get approval if needed to avoid problems later on. How A Carport Can Add Value To Your Home Coming back to our original question – will a carport add value to your property? The answer is yes; it will, in more ways than one. As a lifestyle investment, it will provide you with a secure parking area for your vehicles, it will give you additional outdoor space to store garden furniture and sports equipment, and it will keep your car safely tucked away from opportunist criminals. When it comes to financial rewards, a carport could add anywhere between five and 10 per cent to the value of your property as a desirable feature to potential buyers. Carports offer large returns on a small investment and, considering just how inexpensive they are to buy and install they are a smart choice for any homeowner. Carports add value to homes and value to lives, so why not invest today.