---
title: Can ShedMate engineer my carport or open-sided shed?
description: Which carports and open-sided sheds ShedMate engineering covers, why carport bases are cast into the footing, and when a carport, open side or awning needs custom engineering.
---
[Skip to content](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/can-shedmate-engineer-my-carport-or-open-sided-shed#main-content)
English
Show submenu for translations
- [Setting up Pricing in Shedmate (course)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-costing-course)
- [Frequent Asked Questions](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/frequent-asked-questions)
- [Setting up Shedmate](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-your-enquiry-system-for-marketing-usage-qr-codes)
- [Integrations](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/trimble-tekla-structures-integration)
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- [Setting up Pricing in Shedmate (course)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-costing-course)
- [Frequent Asked Questions](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/frequent-asked-questions)
- [Setting up Shedmate](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-your-enquiry-system-for-marketing-usage-qr-codes)
- [Integrations](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/trimble-tekla-structures-integration)
- English
Show submenu for translations
- Contact us
Contact us
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Help Center](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge?hsLang=en)
2. [Engineering and Design Checks](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/engineering-and-design-checks?hsLang=en)
# Can ShedMate engineer my carport or open-sided shed?
**Yes for freestanding carports. Open-sided sheds are covered where the engineering library has a computation for the shed and its site.** A carport has no walls to brace it, so its column bases have to hold the frame rigid. That's why carport bases are cast into the footing, not bolted to a slab. A carport fixed to an existing building, and other open shapes, need custom engineering. The Shed Designer can draw more than the engineering covers, so check before you quote.
**Before you quote a carport or an open-sided shed**
1. Quote carports as freestanding, with bases cast into the footing
2. Don't promise bolt-down to an existing slab; ask us first
3. Tell us if an open side sits against an existing building
4. Fixed to a building, or an unusual shape? Ask us for custom engineering
### What the engineering covers
| Structure | Engineering | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Freestanding carport** | Covered. Bases are cast into the footing | Quote it as freestanding |
| **Carport fixed to an existing building or wall** | Custom engineering | Send us the job number before you quote |
| **Enclosed shed, fully open shed, shed open at one end or along one side** | Covered where the engineering library has a computation for the shed and site | Check the engineering status as you design |
| **Other open combinations**, for example open at both ends and along a side | Not covered automatically | Report the missing computation, or ask us |
| **Side awnings no wider than the shed** | Covered | See the awnings article below |
| **Cantilevered awnings, awnings on the front or back** | Custom engineering | Send us the job number before you quote |
### Why carports are different
In an enclosed shed, the walls and their bracing help hold the frame rigid against the wind. A freestanding carport has no walls, so the column bases do that work. They have to be fixed bases, which hold the columns rigid, not pinned bases, which let them rotate.
A base bolted down to a slab is a pinned base. On a freestanding carport the frame then moves too far in normal wind to meet the limits our engineering certifies to. So carport bases are cast into the footing.
For the same reason, a single C-section post often isn't rigid enough on a carport. The engineering may use SHS or RHS posts instead.
### Carports on an existing slab
Ask us before you promise your customer a carport bolted to a slab that's already poured. Tell us when you request the engineering, and our engineer will look at the options for that job. Some options change the posts, and some need footings formed through the slab. See [Why can't I use a bolt-down base bracket on larger columns?](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/why-cant-i-use-a-bolt-down-base-bracket-on-larger-columns?hsLang=en)
### Open sides against an existing building
If an open side of the shed actually sits against an existing building, tell us when you request the engineering. It changes how the wind acts on the shed, so it changes the engineering.
**Drawn isn't the same as engineered.** The Shed Designer can draw larger spans, open shapes and awnings than the engineering library covers. If the engineering status says **Engineering needs attention**, don't quote the shed as engineered. Report the missing computation, or ask us about custom engineering. See [What does my engineering status mean, and what do I do?](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/what-does-my-engineering-status-mean?hsLang=en)
### Related articles
- [How do I add an awning, shorten it or make it cantilevered?](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/how-do-i-add-an-awning-shorten-it-or-make-it-cantilevered?hsLang=en)
- [What can I quote straight away?](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/what-can-i-quote-straight-away?hsLang=en)
Stuck? Email support@shedmate.com.au with the job number.
- [Introduction to Shedmate (How does it work)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-how-does-it-work?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Introduction and useful information](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-how-does-it-work?hsLang=en#introduction-and-useful-information)
- [Workflow for Cold Formed x Structural Steel](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-how-does-it-work?hsLang=en#workflow-for-cold-formed-x-structural-steel)
- [Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/frequent-asked-questions-faq?hsLang=en)
- [Release Notes](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/release-notes?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [2025](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/release-notes?hsLang=en#2025)
- [2024](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/release-notes?hsLang=en#2024)
- [2026](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/release-notes?hsLang=en#2026)
- [Setting up Shedmate](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Getting Started](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate?hsLang=en#getting-started)
- [Setting up Shedmate Costing (COURSE)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate-costing-course?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Introduction to Cost Engineering & Shedmate](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate-costing-course?hsLang=en#introduction-to-cost-engineering-shedmate)
- [Starting from Scratch - A necessary learning practice](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate-costing-course?hsLang=en#starting-from-scratch-a-necessary-learning-practice)
- [Fast-Tracking Your Pricing Setup with Pre-Built Templates](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-shedmate-costing-course?hsLang=en#fast-tracking-your-pricing-setup-with-pre-built-templates)
- [Integrations and API](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/integrations-and-api?hsLang=en)
- [Designing Shed Projects](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/designing-shed-projects?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Doors and Openings](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/designing-shed-projects?hsLang=en#doors-and-openings)
- [Quoting A Shed Project](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/quoting-a-shed-project?hsLang=en)
- [Preparing for Fabrication and Delivery](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/preparing-for-fabrication-and-delivery?hsLang=en)
- [Engineering and Design Checks](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/engineering-and-design-checks?hsLang=en)
- [Setting up Pricing in Shedmate (course)](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/introduction-to-shedmate-costing-course)
- [Frequent Asked Questions](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/frequent-asked-questions)
- [Setting up Shedmate](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/setting-up-your-enquiry-system-for-marketing-usage-qr-codes)
- [Integrations](https://help.shedmate.com.au/knowledge/trimble-tekla-structures-integration)
[](http://www.shedmate.com.au)
1 James St, Mount Gambier 5290
South Australia
[mailto:support@shedmate.com.au](mailto:support@shedmate.com.au)
Copyright © 2025, Shedmate