Can I turn a carport in an enclosed room?

Hi, Josh- Just wanted to let you know your question might appear in the July issue of REMODEL Magazine (we often feature questions from BHG.com/advice in our ASK A PRO section!). After doing some additional research (and assuming we're talking about a garage here), I dug up some more information for you. Hope this helps!

Converting a garage from a parking spot into living space is significantly less expensive than what a standard addition would cost. Chances are it’s already plumbed and wired, too—yet another budget-friendly appeal to this project. But before you get started, do your homework. Find out if this remodel complies with local building codes, and if there’s enough alternative parking for you and guests (some homeowners associations prohibit long-term parking in the driveway or on the street). Adding another 600 square feet of living space sounds good for resale, but if a garage is a must-have for homebuyers in your climate, this conversion could actually hurt your home’s value. If, however, you and your housing market can stand to part with the garage, let the conversion begin. Many a man cave, stunning study, playroom, home office or den started as garages. Assuming your garage has a window or two already, consider installing a room air conditioner that heats and cools, such as one from Friedrich’s Kühl series (did we mention it’s available in six colors and comes with a remote control?). It’s cheaper than expanding your central air system, and the timer lets you program on/off times to correlate with the room’s use.

I’m not sure where you are writing from,  but in the areas I have worked in (Ohio and Metro NY) if you had a carport you could convert into livable space it would be pretty rare.  Perhaps you're speaking of a garage?
What you will need to find out is exactly what kind of structure you have now, and what the building codes will require for enclosed living space.  If what you have in place can be added to, great.  If not, you still may be able to take good advantage of the space the carport is in.

Make sure you talk with someone qualified; these are the kinds of projects (building onto already sub-par work) that sometimes are tackled by less than experienced contractors and can turn into nightmares.  But since you are doing your homework and research I am sure you will avoid this.