Why Rent-To-Own Carports Are Booming In 2025 (And Who Should Avoid Them)

Imagine you really need a new carport to protect your car, tools, or outdoor gear, but the full price upfront feels way too high. Now, what if you could get it now and pay for it little by little? We are talking about rent-to-own carports! Here, you make monthly payments like rent, but those payments go towards owning the metal carport over time.

It’s not a loan with interest but rather a lease that turns into ownership. You don’t need a perfect credit score, and you can often start with a small deposit. This guide will help you understand why RTO is growing fast and who should think twice before signing up.

What Is A Rent-To-Own Steel Carport?

It’s a metal carport you pay for in monthly installments instead of paying the full upfront cost. It does not require a credit check, you get instant approval, and with Carports Advisor, you get to choose from flexible payment terms (within 36 months).

Here’s the formula to calculate:
“Total Rent You Pay = Installment of Shed + Lease Service Fee”

Note: The lease service fee is about 15 to 20% of the total cost, which may vary with steel builders.

Once all the payments are complete, you become the owner of your carport. There are generally two options for payment. You can choose between RTO vs. steel building financing to simplify your buying options, based on your needs and convenience.

Why RTO Carports Are Booming In 2025?

The United States leads the way in the rent-to-own market, with a huge value of about $29.5 billion, and is still growing. The experts say it’ll keep rising by around 3% each year [source: CognitiveMarketResearch]. But what’s driving this boom?

• The need for more flexibility, as people like being able to rent something now and decide later if they want to keep it.
• With an uncertain economy and money worries, rent-to-own feels like a safer and easier choice than spending a lot all at once.
• There is a growing need for outdoor storage, and RTO is a go-to choice with tighter budgets and rising prices, for families, farmers, and small businesses (much like ‘try before you buy’).
• Rent-to-own solves the money problem as, instead of paying thousands upfront, you can get started with just a small deposit and first month’s payment, which can sometimes be as low as $70 to $250, depending on the carport’s size and plan.
• You don’t need a perfect credit score or trouble in getting approved for loans in order to get a strong, weather-resistant metal cover.
• You get your prefab carport immediately installed and ready to use without delays.

Pros Vs. Cons Of RTO Metal Prefab Carports

Now, let’s see what some advantages and disadvantages of choosing RTO options are when buying a new double wide carport for your property:

Who Should Avoid An RTO Carport?

Though RTO is a great option when you are struggling to keep up with your credit scores and urgently need a steel cover for home, farm, or business needs, here are some situations in which RTO may not be a wise choice for you:

1. Cash Buyers

If you already have the money to pay for a metal cover upfront, you can save a lot in the long run because rent-to-own usually costs more over time. So, paying in full means no monthly bills and no extra fees.

2. Long-Term Planners

Want full control of your carport from day one? If so, then buying your carport outright or using a regular loan is better. With RTO, you don’t fully own your steel cover until all the payments are made, so you can’t customize it or change anything once installed till full payment is made.

3. Renters Without Landlord Approval

If you rent your home or land, you will need your landlord’s permission to install a carport (even if it is a rent-to-own situation). That’s because a carport is a permanent structure that’s added to their property and considered under leasehold improvement [source: Investopedia].

Without it, you may get into trouble later, so always check before you commit to buying.

4. Financially Stable Buyers

If you have a good credit score and can get a regular loan, you are likely to pay less than with the RTO option since traditional loans offer lower interest rates and more flexible terms, such as our metal building financing or bank loan options, to avoid a pricier way to buy the same thing.

5. Patient Savers

If you don’t need the steel cover urgently and can save up over time, you can actually avoid the extra cost of monthly RTO payments. So, you can save and wait a little longer, you could end up paying less and owning the carport outright from the start.

6. DIY, Remodeling, And Customization

If you are planning to change the size, design, or materials of your carport, then RTO may not let you do that until you have completed the full payment. So, if you want full creative control, buying directly will give you more freedom to build it your way.

7. Risky Payers

If your income is not steady or you are not sure about future payments, then rent-to-own can be risky. Missing payments can mean losing the carport and all the money you have already paid. So, it is best to wait or explore safer options.

Keeping these pointers in mind, you can choose the rent-to-own option for any steel building of your choice.

Need A Carport Right Now? Rent-To-Own Might Be Your Best Bet

Rent-to-own carports are a smart choice if you need protection now but can’t pay the full price all at once. They are especially helpful for families on a budget or folks who want to avoid loans. Although steel carports are strong, easy to maintain, and durable under all weather conditions, if you want to own one immediately with some custom features, RTO gives you the flexibility to do that.

So, do you need fast shelter and flexible payments, or do you want full control and lower total cost? The answer will help you choose what’s best for your home and wallet.