How much does a carport cost in South Africa?
A shade net carport for one car usually costs R8,000 to R15,000 installed. Steel carports with a sheeted roof cost roughly twice as much.
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Installed shade net carports cost roughly R8,000 to R15,000 for one car and R10,500 to R28,000 for two. Steel or aluminium carports with sheeted roofs run about R17,000 to R35,000 for one car and R26,000 to R35,000 for a standard double. A concrete slab, lighting and plan fees can add several thousand rand.
| What | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shade net carport, single (about 3 m × 5 m to 3 m × 6 m), installed | R8,000–R15,000 per unit | |
| Shade net carport, double (about 5.5 m × 5 m to 6 m × 6 m), installed | R10,500–R28,000 per unit | Extended 6 m depths and heavier posts sit at the top of the range. |
| Steel or aluminium carport with IBR or similar roofing, single | R17,000–R35,000 per unit | |
| Steel or aluminium carport, double (6 m × 6 m) | R26,000–R35,000 per unit | One undated price list shows metal doubles from R15,000. We couldn't confirm that figure against 2026 sources. |
| Premium double carport with polycarbonate roofing | R40,000–R60,000 per unit | From a single installer's guide, so treat as indicative. |
| Concrete slab under the carport | R180–R250/m² | |
| Council permit or building plan fees, where required | R500–R2,500 per project | |
| Replacing shade cloth on an existing carport | R95–R160/m² |
Estimates only. These ranges come from published South African prices, listed under sources below, and were last checked on 28 October 2026. Your price depends on your site and the specification. Get quotes for an accurate price for your job.
Carports are usually sold as a complete unit at a fixed price for a given size, rather than per square metre. The roof covering drives the price most. Installers' 2026 price lists put shade net carports at roughly R8,000 to R15,000 for one car and R10,500 to R28,000 for two, installed. Steel frames with IBR or Chromadek-type roofing roughly double those numbers.
The headline price normally covers the frame, the roof covering and installation on level ground. It often leaves out a concrete slab or paving underneath, lighting, gutters and any council fees. One Pretoria installer lists these as separate extras, and they can add a fifth or more to the total.
These figures are a guide from limited published data. Most come from installers' own price lists, three of our five sources are undated and only one says whether VAT is included (it excludes it). Treat the ranges as a starting point and ask each installer for a written quote that names the size, materials and extras.
What moves the price
Pushes the price up
- Solid roofing. IBR, Chromadek or polycarbonate costs much more than shade net and needs a stronger frame.
- Cantilever designs. A post-free front is easier to park under, but the heavier steel adds thousands. One Cape Town list puts a cantilever double at R25,890 against R13,500 for a standard shade net double.
- Bigger or deeper bays. Extending a double from 5 m to 6 m deep added about R4,000 on a Pretoria price list.
- A concrete slab. Paving or casting a slab adds R180 to R250 per m².
- Extras. Lights, gutters and powder-coated posts are usually priced on top.
- Distance. A Gauteng installer adds 15 to 25% for rural sites because of transport.
Brings the price down
- Shade net instead of sheeting. It's the cheapest roof covering and the frame can be lighter.
- Standard sizes. Off-the-shelf 3 m × 5 m and 6 m × 6 m sizes are cheaper than custom shapes.
- Level, clear ground. Sloped or obstructed sites need extra work on the posts.
- Using existing paving. If the parking area is already paved, you skip the slab cost.
- Plain galvanised posts. Powder coating adds R300 to R500 per post on one price list.
A double shade net carport with a slab: a worked example
Say you want a 5.5 m × 6 m shade net carport for two cars over an unpaved area, with a light. Using the ranges and extras on this page:
- Double extended shade net carport, installed: R20,000 to R28,000
- Concrete slab: 33 m² × R180 to R250 = R5,940 to R8,250
- Electrical conduit with lighting: R600 to R1,200
- Permit or plan fees, if your municipality requires them: R500 to R2,500
- Estimated total: roughly R27,000 to R40,000
If you chose steel instead
A 6 m × 6 m steel carport at R26,000 to R35,000 with the same slab and extras would come to roughly R33,000 to R47,000. Steel lasts longer and keeps off rain and hail fully, which shade net does not.
Comparing roof coverings
| Covering | Price picture from 2026 price lists |
|---|---|
| Shade net | The cheapest. A Cape Town double was listed at R13,500 installed. The cloth needs replacing in time, at about R95 to R160 per m². |
| Timber with a sheeted roof | A mid-range option. The same Cape Town installer listed a timber double at R24,990. |
| Steel with IBR or Chromadek | Full rain and hail cover. Doubles run about R26,000 to R35,000. |
| Polycarbonate | Lets light through while keeping rain off. Premium doubles cost about R40,000 to R60,000. |
What a carport quote should include
- Exact dimensions and the number of posts
- Frame material, steel thickness and finish (galvanised or powder-coated)
- Roof covering type and grade
- Foundations for the posts and how deep they'll go
- Whether a slab, gutters or lighting are included
- Who handles council approval, if it's needed
- Delivery, VAT and the guarantee on frame and cover
Do prices differ by region?
A Gauteng installer says Pretoria prices run about 5 to 10% below Johannesburg, and that rural sites carry a 15 to 25% transport surcharge. We didn't find comparable published figures for other regions.
Get exact prices for your job
A guide can only give a range. Tell us about your job and up to 3 carport installers near you will quote, so you can compare real prices side by side.
Compare up to 3 carports quotesCarports cost questions
What is the cheapest carport option?
A standard-size shade net carport is the cheapest, from about R8,000 installed for one car. Choose standard dimensions, plain posts and a site that's already paved to keep it low. Bear in mind that shade net blocks sun but not rain, and the cloth will need replacing eventually.
How much does a double carport cost?
A double shade net carport typically costs about R10,500 to R28,000 installed, depending on size and post quality. A 6 m × 6 m steel carport with a sheeted roof is roughly R26,000 to R35,000. Polycarbonate doubles cost more, at around R40,000 to R60,000 according to one installer.
Do I need building plans for a carport?
Under the National Building Regulations, an open-sided carport of up to 40 m² can count as minor building work: you don't need full plans, but you still need the municipality's authorisation before building. Bigger carports and ones with enclosed sides need plans. Installers budget about R500 to R2,500 for fees where approval is needed. See our [carports page](/services/carports) for what to check.
Is installation included in carport prices?
Usually, yes, for a standard installation on level ground. Extras like a concrete slab, lighting, gutters and long-distance delivery are often charged separately. One price list we used adds a travel charge per m² for every 20 km. Ask each installer to state what's excluded.
How do I compare carport quotes?
Make sure each quote is for the same size, frame and covering, then compare the extras line by line. You can request up to three [carport quotes](/services/carports) free through Home Improvement Hub and ask each installer to include the slab and any council fees.
Sources
- Minor building work (carports up to 40 m²), SANS 10400 Building Regulations
- Double Carport Prices in Cape Town (2026): 6m x 6m Costs by Material, KB Carports, 2026
- Shadenet Carport Cost in Pretoria 2026, Pronet Shadeports and Carports, February 2026
- How Much Does a Carport Cost in South Africa?, Pronet Shadeports and Carports, undated
- 2026 Carport Price Guide, LocalPros, undated (prices exclude VAT)
- South Africa Carport Price List, Handyman Pretoria, undated
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