august 2026
Summary
- A brick-built garage generally costs significantly more to build than a carport, which is a lighter, open structure that is quicker to install.
- The price of a carport varies mainly according to the materials used—wood, aluminium, or a mixed structure—and its size, whether for one or two cars.
- A closed garage almost always requires either prior planning permission or a building permit, depending on the surface area created. A carport is often subject to less restrictive rules, but is not systematically exempt from administrative formalities.
- Parking plays an important role in buyers' decisions, particularly in cities and areas where finding a parking space is difficult.
- The impact on the property's value varies depending on the location: it is often greater in densely populated urban areas than in suburban or rural areas, where outdoor parking is less scarce.
- Converting a garage into living space before selling is not always a good idea, as it may remove an important selling point for some buyers.
Are you selling a house with a garage or carport, or wondering whether you should build one before putting your property on the market?
This is a common question among homeowners deciding between an open shelter, which is less expensive, and an enclosed garage, which offers greater protection but costs more.
Behind this choice lies a very practical consideration: in some neighbourhoods, the lack of a parking solution can discourage potential buyers, while in other areas, parking may be a relatively minor consideration.
This article looks at the average cost of building a garage or carport, the associated administrative procedures, the real importance of parking in buyers' search criteria, and the estimated impact on a property's value depending on its geographical location.
We will also look at whether converting a garage into living space before selling is a worthwhile investment and how to highlight an existing garage or carport in a property listing and during viewings.
Garage or Carport: Two Solutions with Very Different Budgets
A Brick-Built Garage: A More Substantial Investment
A closed, brick-built garage—constructed from concrete blocks, bricks, or concrete—represents the highest level of investment among private parking solutions.
The cost depends on many factors, including the surface area, foundations required, type of roof, whether or not a motorised door is installed, insulation, and electrical connections.
For example, for a standard single garage of around 20 m² designed to accommodate one vehicle, the budget can generally range from several thousand to several tens of thousands of euros, depending on the chosen specifications and the region.
This type of construction offers the advantage of complete protection against weather, theft, and vandalism and, depending on its configuration, may later be converted into an additional room.
In return, the construction work takes longer, is more technical, and often requires the involvement of a builder or construction company.
The Carport: A More Affordable and Faster Alternative
A carport is an open structure consisting of posts and a roof, usually made from wood, aluminium, or steel. For an equivalent surface area, it is almost always less expensive than an enclosed garage.
The price of a carport is therefore a common consideration for homeowners looking for a parking solution that can be installed quickly without the constraints of brick-built construction.
In practice, the price of a carport mainly depends on three factors: the material used for the structure, the covered surface area—one or two parking spaces—and the quality of the roof, which may be made from tiles, steel sheeting, polycarbonate, or even incorporate a green roof.
As a general indication, a simple kit carport made from wood or aluminium usually costs several times less than a brick-built garage of a similar size.
A high-end aluminium model or additional options—such as partial cladding, integrated lighting, or an electric vehicle charging point—will naturally increase the price, but in most cases it remains more affordable than a permanent enclosed structure.
This difference in price compared with a garage explains why many homeowners choose this intermediate solution, particularly when the plot does not allow or justify a more substantial investment.
Administrative Procedures to Anticipate
Whether you choose a garage or a carport, administrative procedures are almost always required, although the extent of these formalities varies:
- Prior planning permission is generally required once the floor area or footprint created exceeds a certain threshold, often around 5 m² depending on the municipality and applicable local rules.
- A building permit may be required above a higher surface-area threshold, particularly for a large enclosed garage.
- The local urban development plan (PLU) may impose specific requirements regarding distances from property boundaries, maximum height, external appearance, and permitted materials.
- In certain protected areas or near historic monuments, approval from the Architecte des Bâtiments de France may be required.
A carport, even though it is open, is therefore not automatically exempt from these requirements. Its lightweight structure may reduce certain constraints, but in many cases it still requires a declaration to the local authority.
Before starting any project, it is advisable to contact your local planning department to check the specific rules applying to your property.
Parking: A Decisive Criterion for Many Buyers
A Priority That Varies Significantly Depending on Location
In major cities and densely populated neighbourhoods, parking is often one of the first questions buyers ask during a viewing.
Parking on the street can be a genuine daily constraint, involving searching for a space, parking restrictions, paid parking zones, and the risk of fines.
In this context, a garage or even a simple carport can become a major selling point—almost as important as an additional bedroom for some buyers.
Conversely, in suburban or rural areas where parking on the street or on a private driveway is generally straightforward, a garage or carport is still appreciated but usually plays a less decisive role in the final purchasing decision.
Buyers are more likely to see it as an additional convenience or a way of protecting their vehicle rather than an essential feature.
What Buyers Are Actually Looking For
Several features regularly appear among buyers' expectations when it comes to parking:
These expectations are similar to other outdoor features that can influence a purchasing decision, such as a veranda and the additional space it provides.
- A secure, enclosed space for one or sometimes two vehicles, particularly for households with several cars.
- Protection against weather conditions such as hail, snow, and heavy rain, as well as other nuisances such as bird droppings and tree resin.
- Additional storage space for bicycles, garden tools, and seasonal equipment—a function that an enclosed garage fulfils particularly well and that a partially enclosed carport can also provide to some extent.
- The possibility of installing an electric vehicle charging point, an increasingly important criterion for buyers.
What Is the Estimated Impact on Property Value Depending on the Area?
In Dense Urban Areas: Often a Greater Impact
In major urban areas where parking is scarce and highly sought after, a garage or private parking space can create a significant difference in value compared with a similar property without any parking solution.
There is no universal rule that applies to every property. However, in high-demand areas, some market observers estimate that having a garage can add several percentage points to the perceived value of a property and significantly shorten the time required to sell by increasing the number of potentially interested buyers.
Although a carport provides less protection than an enclosed garage, it still offers genuine value in this context. It provides a private parking space, which remains a tangible advantage over properties with no dedicated parking at all.
In Suburban and Rural Areas: A More Limited but Still Significant Impact
In areas where land is more readily available and parking outside the property is not a problem, a garage or carport remains an advantage, but generally has less influence on negotiations.
Buyers will appreciate the feature without necessarily being prepared to pay a significant premium for it, particularly if the property already offers easy outdoor parking.
This does not mean that these features have no value. A well-maintained garage that can also be used for storage or as a workshop remains a positive feature and can make the difference between two otherwise comparable properties within the same budget.
Why Does the Impact Vary Between Areas?
This difference is mainly explained by the relative scarcity of land and parking spaces.
The more difficult or uncertain parking is in a particular area, the more important a private parking solution becomes for buyers.
This is why, before undertaking any work, it can be useful to obtain a free online property valuation to assess the property's current value and determine, with the help of a professional, whether investing in a garage or carport makes sense in the local market.
Converting a Garage into Living Space: A Good Idea or a Mistake Before Selling?
A Common Temptation, but One That Can Go Either Way
Converting a garage into a bedroom, office, or games room increases the property's declared living space, which can seem attractive before putting it on the market.
However, this type of conversion requires substantial work, including insulation, creating openings, bringing the electrical system up to standard, and sometimes raising the floor to align it with the rest of the house.
These works come at a cost, and the return on investment depends heavily on the local market.
What to Consider Before Making a Decision
Several questions should be considered before converting a garage into living space with a view to selling:
- Does the local market place greater value on additional living space or on secure, enclosed parking? In a dense urban area, a buyer may prefer to keep the garage rather than gain an additional room, particularly if the property already has enough bedrooms.
- Will the cost of the work be recovered when the property is sold? A poorly executed or overly personalised conversion may not appeal to every buyer.
- Will removing the garage reduce the number of potential buyers interested in the property, particularly households with several vehicles?
A Decision to Be Made on a Case-by-Case Basis
There is no universal answer.
For a house in a more remote location where land is plentiful and an additional outdoor parking space can easily be created, converting the garage into living space may be worthwhile.
However, in a neighbourhood where parking is a genuine issue, keeping the garage in its existing form is often the safest choice to preserve the property's appeal.
If in doubt, the advice of a local Capifrance real estate advisor who understands the specific characteristics of your local market can be invaluable when making this decision.
How to Highlight an Existing Garage or Carport in a Listing and During Viewings
Highlight the Feature in the Property Listing
A garage or carport should be clearly mentioned in the property listing, together with practical details such as the number of parking spaces, approximate dimensions, whether there is a motorised door or electrical connection, and whether it provides direct access to the house.
These details reassure buyers and allow them to visualise how they could use the space without having to wait until the viewing to discover this feature.
High-quality photographs taken during the day with good lighting and showing a clean, uncluttered space will reinforce its visual appeal.
A well-maintained carport with a clean roof and a structure free from rust or moss will also create the impression of a well-maintained property, reassuring buyers about the overall condition of the house.
Highlight the Feature During Viewings
During a viewing, it is useful to mention the practical ways in which the garage or carport can be used: parking one or two vehicles, additional storage space, the possibility of installing an electric vehicle charging point, and protection against the weather.
If the neighbourhood is known for parking difficulties, it may be worth mentioning this tactfully, without exaggerating, to emphasise the genuine advantage this feature offers compared with other properties in the area.
Compare with Similar Properties on the Market
Before setting an asking price or adjusting your sales strategy, it may be useful to browse Capifrance property listings to see how comparable properties, with or without a garage, are positioned on the local market.
This comparison can provide a practical indication of the difference in price or attractiveness that this type of feature may represent in your area.
Finally, if your house has neither a garage nor a carport, there are other ways to compensate for this and enhance the property's appeal, such as making better use of the available indoor or outdoor spaces.
Work with a Capifrance Real Estate Advisor
Assessing the actual impact of a garage or carport on the value of your house requires a good understanding of the local market, as the impact can vary significantly from one town to another, or even from one neighbourhood to another.
A local Capifrance real estate advisor can help you determine precisely how much your garage or carport contributes to your property's value, advise you on whether any work should be carried out before selling, and help you showcase this feature to potential buyers.
Their local market expertise can help you avoid poorly targeted investments and position your property at the right price.
Conclusion
- A brick-built garage represents a higher investment than a carport, but it provides better protection, greater security, and additional storage space.
- A carport is a more affordable and faster-to-install alternative, while still providing effective protection for vehicles.
- Both solutions may require planning permission depending on their size, location, and the rules set out in the local urban development plan.
- The value added by a garage or carport depends heavily on the local market. In dense urban areas where parking is scarce, the impact can be significant, whereas it is generally more limited in suburban or rural areas.
- Converting a garage into living space before selling is not always worthwhile. The benefit of gaining additional living space should be weighed against the loss of secure parking.
- When selling, an existing garage or carport should be clearly highlighted in the property listing and during viewings, particularly by mentioning its dimensions, capacity, storage potential, and suitability for an electric vehicle charging point.
Ultimately, the best decision depends on the property's location, local buyer expectations, and the cost of any planned work. A local market analysis can help determine whether building, retaining, or converting a garage is the most effective way to increase the property's appeal.
FAQ
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garage?
The cost depends on the surface area, materials, foundations, roof, level of insulation, type of garage door, and electrical installation.
A standard brick-built garage of around 20 m² generally costs several thousand to several tens of thousands of euros, depending on the specifications and location.
How Much Does a Carport Cost?
The price varies depending on the material, size, and level of finish.
A simple wooden or aluminium kit carport is generally significantly less expensive than a brick-built garage, while high-end models with partial cladding, lighting, or an electric vehicle charging point cost more.
Does a Carport Require Planning Permission?
It may.
Even though a carport is an open structure, its footprint can trigger planning requirements. Depending on its size and local planning rules, either prior planning permission or a building permit may be required.
It is therefore advisable to check with the local planning department before installation.
Does a Garage Increase the Value of a House ?
Generally, yes, but the impact varies significantly depending on location.
In areas where parking is difficult, a private garage can represent a major selling point and increase the property's attractiveness. In areas where parking is readily available, its impact on the final sale price is usually more limited.
Is a Carport as Valuable as a Garage When Selling a House?
Not usually.
A garage provides greater security, complete weather protection, and additional storage space, which generally gives it more value.
However, a carport remains a genuine advantage compared with a property with no dedicated parking space.
Should You Convert a Garage into a Bedroom Before Selling?
Not necessarily.
The additional living space may increase the property's appeal, but losing a garage can also discourage buyers, particularly in areas where parking is difficult.
The decision should therefore be based on local demand and the existing configuration of the property.
Is an Electric Vehicle Charging Point an Advantage When Selling?
Yes. The possibility of installing—or already having—an electric vehicle charging point can make a garage or carport more attractive to buyers using electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
How Can You Make a Garage More Attractive Before Selling?
A clean, tidy, well-lit garage generally creates a better impression during viewings.
Removing unnecessary items, carrying out minor repairs, checking the garage door, and highlighting storage capacity and electrical connections can help buyers better appreciate the space and its potential.
Author:
Flora Hourdequin - Luxury & Prestige and International Real Estate Specialist
As an expert in Luxury & Prestige real estate, I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge to guide you in your real estate projects.
