Project Spotlight: Double Carport on an Awkward Block — Northern Beaches

Location: Northern Beaches, NSW
Year: 2025
Structure: Double carport, custom-sized to suit a constrained block

The Challenge: An Awkward Block

Not every carport job is a straightforward rectangle on a level driveway. This one wasn't.

The site was a corner block with an irregular shape — the driveway ran at an angle, there were boundary setback constraints on two sides, and overhanging trees from a neighbouring property were dropping debris directly onto the parking area. The cars were getting damaged by falling branches, sap, and leaf matter.

The client needed a double carport that could fit into the available space, comply with the setback requirements, and properly shelter both vehicles.

Designing Around the Constraints

On a constrained site, the carport has to be designed around the block — not the other way around.

We worked through:

• Setback clearances — confirming the footprint would meet exempt development rules on both street boundaries
• Roof pitch and orientation — positioning the ridge to shed water away from the boundary and toward the driveway
• Post placement — locating posts to clear the existing driveway surface without requiring it to be broken up
• Beam sizing — spanning the double-width opening without a centre post, keeping the entry clear for easy parking

The result was a custom-dimensioned structure that made the most of the available footprint without triggering a DA or requiring structural engineering.

Protecting the Cars from Trees

The overhanging trees were the primary driver for this project. On the Northern Beaches, mature eucalypts and angophoras are common in residential gardens — and they drop bark, sap, seeds, and occasionally branches year-round.

A solid roofed carport solves this completely. Unlike a shade sail or open pergola, a properly roofed carport:

• Blocks all falling debris — bark, leaves, sap, fruit
• Protects paintwork from UV and bird damage
• Keeps interiors dry in heavy rain
• Provides shade that reduces cabin temperature significantly in summer

For this client, it was the difference between washing the cars every week and leaving them protected for weeks at a time.

Construction Details

The structure was built using:

• Treated pine posts and beams — appropriate for this inland site away from direct salt spray
• Custom beam sizing to span the double-bay opening without a centre post
• Colorbond steel roofing in a profile and colour to match the existing home
• Proper drainage — gutters and downpipes to manage roof water and keep the driveway dry

The footings were dug and poured to suit the irregular site levels, ensuring the posts stood plumb despite the uneven ground.

The Result

Two cars, fully protected. The client's frustration with debris damage, wet interiors, and sun-bleached paintwork is solved — permanently.

The carport fits the block cleanly, looks like it was always meant to be there, and didn't require any council application to build.

"Project went well, client was happy, cars are protected from the trees and overhang."
— Mike Leckie

Considering a Carport on a Tricky Block?

Awkward sites are something we deal with regularly on the Northern Beaches. If you've looked at your driveway and thought 'there's no way a carport will fit' — it's worth getting us out for a look. More often than not, there's a solution.

Call us on 0468 093 569 or get a free quote.

MJ Leckie Carpentry — Licensed Carpenters, Lic 353438C