Should I go with a custom carport or a prefab kit?

It depends on the site. A kit can work for a freestanding carport. If it needs to attach to an existing building or match its roofline, a custom post-and-beam frame usually fits better and holds up longer.

Do I need a permit for a carport?

Often, yes, especially for attached or commercial carports. Requirements vary by city and county, so we check what your project needs and handle the permit side when it's required.

Can a carport attach to an existing building?

Yes. That's what we did here. We tie the roof framing into the existing structure so the carport is solid and looks like part of the building.

Do you build carports for churches and businesses?

Yes. We take on commercial work like this church carport as well as residential jobs, across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara.

Projects

Attached Carport for a Church in Santa Maria, California

This church in Santa Maria needed covered parking on an open concrete pad. Instead of a standard carport installation, we framed an attached carport from the ground up and tied it into the existing building.

Location: Santa Maria, California
Category: Commercial, church building
Year: 2026
Structure: Attached post-and-beam carport

Roof framing and rafters

This is the roof structure taking shape. The rafters run from the new beam back to the existing building, tied into the church so the carport reads as part of the building, not something added on.

Posts and beam

Here's what holds it all up. The posts stand plumb along the edge of the concrete pad, and the main beam ties them together so the frame can carry the roof.

Finished carport

Once the roof was on, the church had covered parking right next to the building. Cars stay out of the sun and rain, and people can get in and out without getting soaked.

Finished attached carport beside a church building in Santa Maria, California, built by Mau & Co — Finished carport

Custom vs. Prefab

Why we built it custom

Prefab carport kits work fine in plenty of spots, especially when the carport stands on its own. This one had to attach to an existing building, so a custom post-and-beam frame made more sense.

Building it on site let us size the posts and beam for the span, match the roofline, and tie the rafters into the church so it looks like it belongs there. For churches and businesses, that usually means covered parking that fits the building instead of fighting it.

Process

How a job like this goes

01Site visit. We come out, look at the building and the pad, and talk through how you want the space to work.
02Design and framing approach. We figure out post spacing, beam size, and how the roof ties into the existing structure.
03Permits as required. If the project needs plans or a permit, we line that up with the city or county before work starts.
04Build. Posts, beam, roof framing, and roofing, with one point of contact the whole way through.

FAQ

Common carport questions

Should I go with a custom carport or a prefab kit?: It depends on the site. A kit can work for a freestanding carport. If it needs to attach to an existing building or match its roofline, a custom post-and-beam frame usually fits better and holds up longer.
Do I need a permit for a carport?: Often, yes, especially for attached or commercial carports. Requirements vary by city and county, so we check what your project needs and handle the permit side when it's required.
Can a carport attach to an existing building?: Yes. That's what we did here. We tie the roof framing into the existing structure so the carport is solid and looks like part of the building.
Do you build carports for churches and businesses?: Yes. We take on commercial work like this church carport as well as residential jobs, across Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara.

Planning a carport or commercial project on the Central Coast?

We build carports and take on work for churches, businesses, and property owners in Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, and Santa Barbara. Tell us what you need and we'll give you a straight answer on what it takes.

Begin

Every great project starts with a conversation.

Share your drawings, your site, or simply the idea you've been holding onto. We will tell you honestly what it takes to build it well.