Condominium Carports In Florida: Planning Tips For Lower Bids & Success

Many condos are initially built with out carports, however after a few years many board members and owners decide they are needed to keep the beat sun off of the cars paint and provide a nice covered spot to enter and exist the car during a rain storm.  

The planning phase usually takes quite some time as it takes a while for everyone on the board to come to a 'meeting of minds'.  During this phase it will be time to get bids.  You should get a few bids from the most reputable contractors in this trade.... You might find it difficult to get bids as many of the top contractors are busy and condominium projects have a very low rate of coming to fruition.  

If you are planning have your project go smoothly it is best if you get engineered plans before you get your bids.  Doing this requires spending a few thousand dollars up front but can save you headaches in the long run.  It also ensures that all bidders are bidding to the same specs and leaves no room for hidden surprises.  Once you have shown a vested interest in the project, and that it is more then just an 'idea', the reputable contractors will take your bid request more serious and deliver a more sharpened often lower proposal on your bid as the 'catch all' pricing is no longer necessary.

One of the largest carport contractors in Southwest Florida, Gulf Coast Aluminum, who does over 1000 parking spots per year and is often the 'white label sub-contractor' for other contractor firms says that they charge a fee for carport construction quotes when engineering has not been completed, and waive the fee if engineering is completed.  

Another often overlooked aspect of the planning phase is timing.  Ideally it is best if the carports are scheduled for the summer months when the building are less populated.  This ensures that the work crews have more room to get things done, that parking remains in tact for all occupants and that there are no delays as a result of cars in the work area.  

You can find a great source for aluminum carport contractors who specialize in these types of projects here: http://screenenclosureguide.com/contractor-network