Why Our Prices Start at £21,495 (And What You Get for Every Pound)

When you first see our pricing—£21,495 for a solar carport—your next question is probably: "What am I actually getting for that?" It's a fair question. After all, you can find cheaper carports online. You can buy off-the-shelf solar panels from big-box retailers. So why does an oak-frame solar carport cost what it does? In this guide, I'll break down our pricing in complete detail. You'll see what's included in the base price, what costs extra, how we compare to cheaper alternatives, and most importantly, why you get better long-term value from a premium investment than from a cheaper option built to minimum standards.

The Oak Frame Solar Base Price: What's Included

Our base price of £21,495 includes everything you need for a functional, beautiful oak-frame solar carport. This is a complete, finished system—not a stripped-down base with surprise costs later. Let me walk through every component:

What's NOT Included (And Why)

Our base price doesn't include everything, and I want to be transparent about what you'd need to budget for separately:

Battery Storage (Optional)

Many customers ask about adding battery storage. This is optional because not everyone needs or wants it. A battery system (Tesla Powerwall or similar, typically 10-15kWh capacity) adds £3,500-5,500 to the project cost. Batteries allow you to store solar energy for use in the evening or at night, maximizing self-consumption and energy independence. We can integrate battery storage into any system design, but it's an upgrade decision.

EV Charger (Optional)

An EV charger installation (7kW wall-mounted unit) adds approximately £895-1,200 to the project. This allows you to charge electric vehicles directly from your carport, with potential to pair it with solar generation via smart charging. Again, optional, but increasingly popular with our customers.

Planning Application Fees (If Required)

Most domestic carports in England fall under "permitted development rights" and don't require planning permission. However, if your property is in a conservation area, listed building, or subject to restrictive covenants, you may need permission. Local planning applications typically cost £200-500 (depending on your local authority). We handle the application on your behalf, but you'd cover the fee. We identify this during the site survey, so there are no surprises.

Non-Standard Ground Conditions (If Required)

Our base price assumes standard ground conditions (clay, sandy soil, reasonable drainage). If your site has difficult ground—very soft earth, high water table, rock, or contaminated soil—specialist foundations might be required. This could add £500-2,000 depending on severity. We identify ground risk during the site survey and discuss specialist solutions if needed.

Difficult Site Access (If Required)

Our base price assumes reasonable site access—a driveway or garden that can accommodate a delivery lorry. If your site is hard to access (narrow gates, steep drive, no direct access), we might need to hire smaller vehicles or use manual material handling, adding £1,000-3,000. Again, identified during the site survey.

What Makes Our Pricing Premium?

You'll find solar carports advertised for £8,000-15,000. Steel-frame carports cost £5,000-8,000. So why do we cost more? Here's what you're paying for:

1. Material Quality: Oak vs Steel vs Aluminum

An oak-frame carport isn't an expense—it's an asset that improves your property and becomes more beautiful with age. A steel carport is maintenance-intensive and eventually needs replacement. The lifecycle cost of oak is lower than cheaper alternatives.

2. Craftsmanship: Traditional Joinery vs Bolted Assembly

Our frames use traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, hand-cut by skilled craftspeople. Each joint is individual, fitted, and tested. This is slow, expensive work—roughly 40% of our frame cost goes to labor. Cheaper carports use bolted connections or welded joints. These are faster and cheaper, but they're not as elegant, not as durable, and they don't tighten over time as oak does.

3. Solar Integration: BIPV vs Bolt-On Panels

We use BIPV (Building-Integrated PhotoVoltaic) tiles, where the solar IS the roof. Cheaper solar carports use bolt-on panels—separate solar panels mounted on top of a separate roof structure. BIPV is more expensive because it's more complex to manufacture and install, but it creates a superior aesthetic and structural result. Your carport is beautiful day one, not "a carport with solar stuck on top."

4. Electrical Installation: MCS Certified vs DIY

Our installations are completed by MCS-certified engineers to UK building standards. This includes professional conduit installation, proper earthing, safety devices, and inspection. Cheaper providers sometimes cut corners on electrical work, which creates safety risks and voids warranties. We won't compromise on this.

5. Warranty & Longevity

We back our structures with a 10-year structural warranty (oak frame) and 25-year solar warranty (BIPV tiles). Cheaper alternatives typically offer 1-2 year warranties. We stand behind our work because we're confident in the quality.

Why Premium Oak-Frame Costs Less Long-Term Than Cheap Alternatives

A £6,000 steel carport needs repainting every 5-7 years (£1,500 per repaint). Over 30 years, that's £6,000-8,000 in maintenance. After 20 years, the steel carport is likely end-of-life and needs replacement (another £6,000-8,000).

Your oak-frame carport? Minimal maintenance. It develops a beautiful patina over time—no paint needed, ever. At Year 30, it's still structurally sound, still generating solar energy, and worth more as a property asset than it cost to install.

True lifecycle cost of budget carport over 30 years: £6,000 (initial) + £7,500 (maintenance) + £7,000 (replacement) = £20,500

True lifecycle cost of premium oak carport over 30 years: £21,495 (initial) + £500 (minimal maintenance) = £21,995

Almost identical cost. But the oak structure is still standing and generating energy at Year 30, while the cheap alternative is in a landfill.

Are There Cheaper Options We'd Recommend?

Honestly? Not really. If budget is a genuine constraint, there are cheaper carports and off-the-shelf solar systems. But we don't believe in mediocre compromises. We'd rather you:

• Start smaller: A 3kW system (our base offering) is a real, functional investment. You don't need 5kW if budget is tight.
• Add battery storage later: Start with solar alone, add battery storage in 3-5 years when finances allow.
• Finance strategically: At 5.9% interest over 20 years, your monthly payment is about £110. Many people can find that in their budget.
• Wait if necessary: If you're not ready now, solar gets cheaper every year. Waiting 2-3 years gives you time to save, and technology improves. But if you can move forward now, energy prices are rising faster than solar costs are falling.

We don't pressure people into purchases they can't afford. But we also don't offer a "budget" version that compromises on quality. We offer one premium product, built right.

What About Schemes and Grants?

Government support for domestic solar has changed significantly in recent years. As of 2026:

• Feed-in Tariff (FIT): Closed to new applications (though existing customers still receive payments).
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Available, paying typically £0.15-0.20/kWh for exported energy.
• Tax-Free Savings Accounts (ISAs): Some providers allow renewable energy investments in tax-free accounts.
• Local grants: Some councils offer grants for renewable energy (varies by region). We check your eligibility during consultation.

The financial case for solar rests on energy savings and SEG income, not government grants. The government removed subsidies because solar is now competitive on its own financial merits.

The Bottom Line: You Get What You Pay For

At £21,495, an oak-frame solar carport isn't cheap. But it's also not expensive when you consider the alternative: a structure that will outlast you, age beautifully, generate clean energy for 25+ years, and increase your property value. We don't compete on price because we've chosen to compete on quality, craftsmanship, and longevity instead.

If you're comparing us to a £8,000 steel carport, remember: the steel one will need replacing in 15-20 years, costing you more in maintenance and eventual replacement. Our oak frame will still be standing and still be generating energy when the steel one is scrap metal.

That's what you pay for. And it's worth it.