Most carport projects don't fail because a contractor made one dramatic error — they fail because small, cheap-looking decisions stack up.
These are the mistakes we see most often on Houston jobs, and the ones we vet every scope against before we start.
1. Surface-mounted posts
Wind uplift plus clay heave rips surface-mounted posts loose. Drilled piers are the correct spec.
2. Non-wind-rated design
Coastal Houston requires wind-rated structures. Bargain kits collapse in tropical storms.
3. Skipping the permit
Setbacks vary by ETJ and HOA. Unpermitted carports get red-tagged and torn down.
4. Bare steel that rusts
Non-galvanized steel rusts within a year. Galvanize first, then powder-coat.
5. No positive drainage on the slab
A flat pad puddles, undermines footings, and eventually cracks.
How to vet your contractor
Read your carport bid line by line and ask which of these mistakes are being avoided — in writing. A contractor who welcomes the question is the one you want; a contractor who deflects is the one to walk away from.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on a scope of work or an existing bid, we're happy to walk through it with you.
