Category: Patio Cover

Alumawood is a brand of aluminum patio cover made from embossed, factory-painted aluminum that reads as painted wood from a few feet away, and for most Los Angeles yards it is the patio cover we recommend first. It comes as three systems: lattice (open rafters that filter the sun), solid (a watertight roof) and insulated (foam-core panels that hold back heat and give you a finished ceiling), and the three can be combined in one cover. Any of them can attach to the house or stand on its own posts. In the City of Los Angeles almost every Alumawood cover needs a building permit; the code’s narrow exemptions for small awnings and small freestanding pergolas rarely fit, as explained below. In our Los Angeles budgeting ranges, an installed Alumawood cover runs $25 to $45 per square foot as lattice, $30 to $55 as a solid roof, and $45 to $75 for an insulated aluminum roof.

Green Design and Build is a licensed general contractor (CSLB #1110975) based in Van Nuys and an authorized Alumawood installer. We design, permit and build patio covers across Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties and western Riverside and San Bernardino counties, from Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena to Long Beach, Orange and Riverside. The prices on this page are budgeting ranges, not a quote; the number for your yard comes from a site visit. Product details come from Alumawood’s own published pages, and code references are to the 2025 California codes (in effect since January 1, 2026) and the current Los Angeles Municipal Code. This is general information about building codes, not legal advice.

What is Alumawood?

Alumawood is a line of aluminum shade structures sold through dealers and built by installing contractors. The manufacturer’s FAQ describes its parts as non-combustible, embossed aluminum components finished with a baked-on paint system it calls Aluma-Shield. The embossing gives the surface a wood-grain texture, and the posts, beams, rafters and lattice are shaped like the members of a painted wood cover, so the finished structure looks like carpentry rather than sheet metal.

Because it is aluminum, it does not rot, warp or feed termites, the three things that usually end a wood cover’s life in Southern California, and it never needs staining. The trade-off is that it is a system: you choose from the manufacturer’s profiles, colors and end cuts, so a heavily custom design still goes to wood or steel. Our patio cover materials guide compares the options side by side.

The brand trades as Alumawood Outdoor Living, and its FAQ names Amerimax as the company behind the material warranty. “Alumawood” is also used loosely for any embossed aluminum cover, so ask for the brand, system and color by name on every written proposal.

Solid vs. lattice vs. insulated: the three Alumawood systems

The system decides how much shade you get, whether the patio stays dry, how hot it feels underneath and what the ceiling looks like.

	Lattice	Solid	Insulated
What it is	Open aluminum lattice over rafters and beams	Interlocking aluminum roof panels	Aluminum panels with an insulated foam core and tongue-and-groove joints
Shade	Filtered; Alumawood says lattice reduces sun exposure by 40% to 60%	Full shade	Full shade
Rain	Passes through	Sheds water; can carry gutters	Sheds water; can carry gutters
Heat underneath	Air moves freely, some sun gets through	Blocks direct sun, but a single-skin panel passes more heat than an insulated one	The foam core limits heat coming through the roof
Ceiling	Rafters and lattice overhead	Underside of the panels	Smooth, finished ceiling
Colors	Seven	Seven	White and Desert Sand
Fans and lights	Yes	Yes	Yes, including recessed lights
LA budgeting range, installed	$25 to $45 per sq ft	$30 to $55 per sq ft	$45 to $75 per sq ft

Lattice patio covers

A lattice patio cover is an open grid of aluminum lattice over rafters and beams. It cuts glare and midday sun while leaving the patio bright, and Alumawood’s lattice system comes in 2 x 2 inch, 2 x 3 inch and 1.5 x 1.5 inch sizes. Lattice is the right choice where light matters as much as shade: beside a window wall, along a pool, or in front of rooms that already feel dark. It does nothing for rain.

Solid patio covers

A solid Alumawood cover is a watertight aluminum roof. It gives full shade, keeps furniture and cushions dry, and can carry gutters and downspouts. Alumawood lists spans of up to 20 feet for its solid panel system, which can mean fewer posts in the middle of the patio, though the actual post spacing on your job is set by the engineering for your site. Two things to expect: a solid roof is noticeably louder in rain than an insulated one, and a solid roof over the main window wall makes the rooms behind it darker.

Insulated patio covers

An insulated patio cover uses aluminum panels with a foam core. It is the system to choose when you want an outdoor room rather than a shade structure: the core limits the heat that radiates down from the roof on a hot afternoon, the underside is a clean, flat ceiling, and recessed lights and ceiling fans integrate with the panels. Alumawood’s FAQ also notes that insulated panels are quieter in rain because the foam absorbs the impact. Alumawood offers its insulated panel in white and Desert Sand only, and its product page does not publish an insulation value, so ask your installer to name the panel and its thickness on the proposal.

Combination covers

One cover does not have to be one system. A common layout puts a solid or insulated roof over the seating or dining zone and lattice over the strip nearest the house, so the rooms behind the cover keep their daylight. It usually solves the “too dark inside” complaint before it happens.

Attached or freestanding?

Every Alumawood system can be built attached to the house or freestanding on its own posts. The choice changes the structure, the permit drawings and the budget.

An attached cover bears on the house along one side, so it needs posts only along the outer edge. Alumawood’s FAQ names the two common connections: on stucco the installer has to locate the structural studs, and fascia mounting needs the rafters behind it verified. On older Los Angeles houses with shallow eaves, that check matters; the attachment may need reinforcement, or a wall ledger may be the better detail. The low side also has to clear doors and leave enough slope to drain.

A freestanding cover stands on its own posts and footings, so it can go anywhere: at the back of the yard, beside the pool or over an outdoor kitchen. Under Appendix BF of the 2025 California Residential Code, a patio cover can sit on a slab without footings only where the frost-line depth is zero, the slab is at least 3.5 inches thick and no column carries more than 750 pounds. Most freestanding covers need real footings, which our cost ranges list separately.

• Choose attached when the cover extends the house, off the kitchen or family room or over the main door to the yard.
• Choose freestanding when the shade belongs elsewhere in the yard or the eaves make attachment awkward.
• Replacing the slab too? Plan slab, footings and conduit together; see our concrete patio ideas, concrete patio cost guide and paver patio pricing.
• Covering a grill? Follow the grill maker’s clearance to overhead structures; our outdoor kitchen design guide and outdoor kitchen cost guide cover the layout.

Alumawood colors, end cuts and accessories

Alumawood lists seven colors for its lattice and solid systems: Adobe, Desert Sand, Latte, Spanish Brown, Graphite, Mojave Tan and White. The insulated panel comes in white and Desert Sand. Matching the cover to the house trim rather than the stucco makes it read as an extension of the eaves. Choose carefully: Alumawood’s FAQ says any field-applied paint or coating voids that portion of the finish warranty.

Rafter and beam ends come in four cuts: beveled, mitered, corbel and scalloped, all compatible with every size and style. A beveled or mitered end suits a ranch or mid-century house; corbel or scalloped suits Spanish and traditional houses.

For accessories, Alumawood lists ceiling fans, recessed lights or outlets for string lights, and an internal modular beam that keeps wiring out of sight. Any new circuit needs an electrical permit; on our jobs that wiring is done by a licensed electrical contractor we schedule and supervise (see our electrical services).

Heat, light and rain: matching the system to your yard

The right system depends less on taste than on which way the patio faces and how you plan to use it. A few rules of thumb from Los Angeles yards:

• West-facing patios in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire take the hardest afternoon sun. Lattice helps, but a solid or insulated roof does far more at 4 pm in August.
• South-facing patios get sun most of the day; a combination cover usually works best.
• North- and east-facing patios get gentler light. Lattice is often enough, and a solid roof mainly darkens the house.
• Year-round use means a solid or insulated roof with gutters. Alumawood’s FAQ says installers size gutters by roof area and route downspouts to protect foundations.
• Coastal homes in Long Beach and other near-shore areas see salt air. Alumawood says its paint system minimizes corrosion from salt and recommends regular inspection in sandy or salty areas; rinse more often than inland.

What an Alumawood patio cover costs

Short answer: in our Los Angeles budgeting ranges, an installed Alumawood cover runs $25 to $45 per square foot as lattice, $30 to $55 as a solid roof, and $45 to $75 for an insulated aluminum roof. Those ranges cover posts, beams, roof or lattice and basic attachment to the house on an existing patio. They exclude permits, engineering, electrical, footings for freestanding covers and any new concrete. For comparison, we publish $40 to $80 per square foot for wood covers. Budget a floor of about $4,000 to $5,000 for any small cover that is installed and permitted, because a crew, delivery and permit cost about the same at 120 square feet as at 240.

Alumawood system	Per sq ft, installed	12 x 20 cover (240 sq ft)
Lattice	$25 to $45	$6,000 to $10,800
Solid	$30 to $55	$7,200 to $13,200
Insulated aluminum	$45 to $75	$10,800 to $18,000

These are budgeting ranges, not a quote. For the full breakdown, see our patio cover cost guide and what a 12×20 patio cover costs; for an open-roofed alternative, our pergola cost guide.

Do you need a permit for an Alumawood patio cover in Los Angeles?

Yes, in almost every case. A patio cover is a structure with its own posts, beams and roof loads, and the Los Angeles code exempts only two narrow kinds of overhead structure. Neither fits a typical Alumawood cover.

What the Los Angeles code exempts, and what it does not

• Small awnings. LAMC 91.106.2, item 9, exempts canopies or awnings outside Fire District No. 1 that extend no more than 4 feet from the exterior wall and are attached to a residential (Group R) building. A patio cover that shades a usable patio almost always projects well past 4 feet.
• Small freestanding pergolas. LAMC 91.101.5, item 7, places pergolas and lath houses outside the code’s scope when they are outside any fire district, not over 400 square feet, and not supported by or attached to any building. A solid or insulated roof is not a pergola, and any attached cover is excluded by the wording itself. Whether a particular freestanding lattice cover counts as a pergola is a determination for the Department of Building and Safety, so confirm it before relying on it.
• The $2,500 rule does not help. LAMC 91.106.2, item 1, exempts work valued at $2,500 or less, but not work that affects the structural stability of a building. An installed patio cover almost always costs more than that, and an attached one bears on the house.

Patio covers are not among the work listed in LADBS’s express-permit qualifications, so plans go through plan review. Setbacks and hillside rules are checked there too; HOA approval, where it applies, is separate.

How an Alumawood cover is engineered and approved

The model rules for patio covers sit in Appendix BF of the 2025 California Residential Code. It defines a patio cover as a structure with open or glazed walls used for outdoor living, limits it to one story and 12 feet in height, and bars its use as a carport, garage, storage room or habitable room. It requires design for a live load of at least 10 pounds per square foot and for the wind loads in Section R301.2.1. If you might later enclose the sides, the appendix requires the longer wall and one other wall to stay at least 65% open or glazed below 6 feet 8 inches, using insect screening, thin approved plastic or code-compliant glass.

Alumawood’s FAQ says engineers evaluate spans, posts and connections to meet local high-wind requirements. The permit drawings rely either on manufacturer engineering the building department accepts or on project-specific calculations by a California-licensed engineer. LADBS approves alternative products through its Building Research Section, which publishes Los Angeles Research Reports, and its Standard Plan Program lists metal patio covers among its pre-approved plan types, though a standard plan still needs a permit and a site review. Ask your installer which route your plans will take.

Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach and other cities

The exemptions above are City of Los Angeles rules. Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and the other cities in our service area each run their own building department under the same state codes, with their own amendments, fees and submittal requirements. Check with the city where the house is, not with a neighbor. For Riverside and San Bernardino county projects, see our Inland Empire patio cover page.

Fire zones: what the 2025 WUI Code asks of a patio cover

If your house is in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or wildland-urban interface area, the wildfire construction rules now live in the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (Title 24, Part 7). Two sections touch patio covers:

• Section 504.7, Projections. Unenclosed accessory structures attached to buildings with habitable space, other than decks, must be heavy timber or built from listed options that include noncombustible materials, fire-retardant-treated wood rated for exterior use, ignition-resistant materials, or assemblies with tested fire resistance.
• Section 504.11. Its ignition-resistance rules apply to attached or detached structures that require a permit, and it names patio covers, trellises, arbors and gazebos. Under 504.11.2, a structure within 3 feet of the house must be noncombustible or ignition-resistant.

Alumawood describes its aluminum components as non-combustible, which suits fire-prone foothill neighborhoods. Insulated panels contain a foam core, so in a fire zone ask how the panel’s compliance will be documented for plan check. Alumawood’s FAQ notes that fire-rating requirements differ by jurisdiction. Keep lattice and gutters clear of leaves. Our wildfire home hardening guide covers the rest of the house.

Lifespan, warranty and maintenance

Alumawood says a lattice cover can last 30 years or more with proper care. That is the manufacturer’s statement, not a guarantee; installation, exposure and upkeep decide the rest.

The warranty, as Alumawood publishes it: Amerimax provides a limited-lifetime material warranty to the original retail purchaser; it allows a one-time transfer to a later owner during the first ten years of coverage, after which the warranty runs ten years from the original installation date. The warranty page says the finish is backed against chipping, peeling, flaking and blistering under normal wear, and that the products are guaranteed not to split. Ask your installer for the warranty document itself and read the exclusions; field painting, for one, voids part of the finish coverage.

Maintenance is light. Alumawood’s care instructions call for occasional washing with a garden hose and a soft-bristled brush, with stronger detergent mixes for heavy dirt or mildew. Once a year, check what is not aluminum: gutters, the sealant where an attached cover meets the house, post bases and loose fasteners. A wood cover, by comparison, needs sealing or repainting every few years.

How to choose an Alumawood installer

The product is only as good as the attachment, the footings and the paperwork. Before you sign, check these:

1. A current contractor’s license. Look the company up on the Contractors State License Board site and confirm the name matches the proposal.
2. The product named on paper. Alumawood by name, the system (lattice, solid, insulated or combination), color, end cut, lattice size and, for insulated covers, the panel.
3. The permit in the scope. Who prepares the drawings and engineering, who pulls the permit, and that inspections are included.
4. Attachment and footing details. How the cover connects to your wall or fascia, whether the rafters were checked, and the footing size and depth for freestanding posts.
5. Electrical by a licensed electrician, with the circuit, fixtures and fans listed and covered by the permit.
6. Drainage. Where the gutters and downspouts discharge.
7. Fire-zone documentation, if your lot is mapped, before the drawings are submitted.
8. Warranty paperwork. The manufacturer’s warranty terms and the contractor’s own workmanship warranty, both in writing.

Red flags: “aluminum covers don’t need permits,” a discount for skipping the permit, a bid that says “aluminum wood” with no brand, and a plan to fasten to the fascia without checking what is behind it. Alumawood’s dealer locator shows who sells the product in your area.

If the cover is part of a bigger backyard project, plan it with everything else: our guide to hardscaping, backyard remodel cost guide, outdoor living services and patio cover design ideas show how the pieces fit.

Alumawood patio cover FAQs

Is Alumawood real wood?

No. Alumawood is embossed aluminum with a baked-on paint finish, shaped like wood rafters and beams. It looks like a painted wood cover but cannot rot, warp or be eaten by termites.

How long does an Alumawood patio cover last?

Alumawood says a lattice cover can last 30 years or more with proper care, and Amerimax backs the material with a limited-lifetime warranty to the original retail purchaser, transferable once during the first ten years.

Do I need a permit for an Alumawood patio cover in Los Angeles?

Almost always. Los Angeles exempts only awnings projecting 4 feet or less from a residential wall outside Fire District No. 1, and unattached pergolas of 400 square feet or less outside any fire district. A typical Alumawood cover meets neither, and other cities have their own rules.

Is a lattice or solid patio cover better?

Lattice filters the sun, by 40% to 60% according to Alumawood, and keeps the house bright but lets rain through. A solid roof gives full shade and keeps the patio dry but darkens the rooms behind it. Many homeowners combine the two.

Does an insulated patio cover keep the patio cooler?

Yes, compared with a single-skin solid roof. The foam core limits the heat radiating down from the roof, and the panel gives a finished ceiling for recessed lights and fans. It costs more: $45 to $75 per square foot in our budgeting ranges.

Can I paint an Alumawood patio cover?

Alumawood’s FAQ says any field-applied paint or coating voids that portion of the finish warranty, so choose a factory color instead: seven for lattice and solid systems, white or Desert Sand for insulated panels.

Can an Alumawood cover be attached to a stucco house?

Yes. It is fastened to the structural studs behind the stucco or, in some cases, to the fascia after the rafters have been checked. The connection is part of the permit drawings.

How much does an Alumawood patio cover cost in Los Angeles?

In our Los Angeles budgeting ranges, $25 to $45 per square foot installed for lattice, $30 to $55 solid and $45 to $75 insulated, so a 12 x 20 cover runs about $6,000 to $18,000. Permits, engineering, electrical and freestanding footings are extra. Budgeting ranges, not a quote.

Get an Alumawood patio cover designed, permitted and built

We look at which way your patio faces, how you will use it and how the cover connects to the house, then put the system, color, engineering and permit on a written proposal you can compare line by line. Site visits take about two hours, proposals follow within 48 hours, and we answer the phone 8 am to 6 pm every day. Start with our patio cover services, or get in touch below.

A 12×20 patio cover gives you 240 square feet of covered outdoor space, but that does not mean there is one standard price for the project.

In our experience working on patio covers throughout the Los Angeles area, a realistic budget for a 12×20 patio cover can range from around $8,000 to $35,000 or more.

That is a wide range, but there is a reason for it.

When someone says “patio cover,” they could be talking about a basic aluminum lattice structure, an insulated solid roof, a custom wood cover tied into the house, or a freestanding outdoor living area with lighting, fans, outlets and premium finishes.

For a straightforward 12×20 attached patio cover with an aluminum frame, solid roof and basic electrical, we typically tell homeowners to expect to land around $16,000 to $20,000.

Here is what actually moves that number up or down.

How Much Does a 12×20 Patio Cover Cost?

For a 12×20 patio cover, or approximately 240 square feet, we generally see projects fall into three broad price ranges. These ranges include electrical work and permits, which the per-material table in our patio cover cost guide leaves out, so they run higher than that table for the same size.

$8,000 to $14,000: Basic Aluminum Patio Cover

This is typically the entry point for a relatively simple patio cover.

You may be looking at:

• An attached aluminum structure
• A lattice or basic solid roof
• Standard manufacturer colors
• Minimal electrical work
• Straightforward installation conditions

Aluminum is popular in Southern California because it requires very little maintenance. It does not need to be stained every few years, it will not rot like untreated wood, and it handles constant sun exposure well.

Attaching the structure to the home can also reduce costs because the house provides one of the primary support points.

$14,000 to $22,000: Upgraded Attached Patio Cover

This is where many of the projects we work on begin to fall.

A patio cover in this range might include:

• Wood or upgraded aluminum framing
• A solid roof
• Insulated roof panels
• Recessed lighting
• Ceiling fan wiring
• Upgraded trim or fascia
• Custom staining or finishes
• Building permits
• Electrical permits when needed

For a straightforward 12×20 attached patio cover with a solid roof and a few electrical features, $16,000 to $20,000 is a very realistic working budget.

That is usually the range where homeowners get something that feels finished and permanent without moving into a fully custom outdoor living structure.

$22,000 to $35,000 or More: Custom or Freestanding Patio Cover

Costs can rise quickly when the structure becomes more complicated.

This range may include:

• Freestanding construction
• Custom wood framing
• Premium roof systems
• Extensive electrical
• Outdoor TV wiring
• Speakers
• Multiple ceiling fans
• Custom finishes
• Difficult site access
• Sloped yards
• Complicated roofline attachments
• Structural engineering
• Larger or deeper foundations

Freestanding structures generally require more independent structural support because the house is not carrying one side of the patio cover.

That means additional posts, footings, engineering and labor.

Why Two 12×20 Patio Covers Can Have Completely Different Prices

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming that square footage determines the price.

It does not.

Two neighbors could each build a 12×20 patio cover and spend thousands of dollars apart even though the dimensions are identical.

The existing conditions and project specifications matter just as much as the size.

Attached vs. Freestanding

An attached patio cover can use the existing home as part of the supporting structure.

A freestanding cover needs to support itself completely.

That normally means additional posts, concrete footings and structural work.

Freestanding patio covers can give you more flexibility in placement, but they usually cost more.

Aluminum vs. Wood

Aluminum is generally the lower-maintenance option.

It is available in standard colors and wood-look finishes and does not require the same ongoing staining and sealing as real wood.

Wood provides a warmer, more custom appearance and can match the architectural details of a home beautifully, but it usually requires more labor and maintenance.

Douglas fir and cedar are common options for homeowners who specifically want a natural wood structure.

Solid Roof vs. Lattice Roof

A lattice cover provides shade while allowing some sunlight through.

It can be a good option if shade is the primary goal, but it will not provide complete rain protection.

A solid roof turns the patio into a much more usable outdoor living area.

Homeowners can also choose between basic solid panels, insulated aluminum panels or more elaborate wood roof systems.

Electrical

Electrical is one of the most common items homeowners add once they begin picturing themselves actually using the space.

Typical electrical upgrades include:

• Recessed lighting
• Ceiling fans
• Exterior outlets
• TV outlets
• Speaker wiring
• Dedicated circuits

One thing we frequently recommend is planning the electrical before the patio cover is finished.

Even if you do not install every fixture immediately, running conduit or installing junction boxes while the framing is open can be much less expensive than cutting into a finished patio cover later.

A Real-World 12×20 Patio Cover Example

One project that reflects what we commonly see was an approximately 12×20 attached patio cover in the San Fernando Valley.

The homeowners already had a good concrete slab and wanted to create a covered area for an outdoor dining table and sofa.

Their biggest priority was making the addition look like it belonged with the original home rather than looking like something that had been added years later.

The project was relatively straightforward because:

• The existing concrete slab was level and in good condition.
• The patio had a simple rectangular layout.
• The existing roofline was accessible.
• No major utilities needed to be relocated.

However, the homeowners wanted real wood framing rather than aluminum.

We used Douglas fir and matched the finish to the existing trim on the home.

They also wanted a solid tongue-and-groove roof deck with a waterproof membrane instead of a basic aluminum roof panel.

Once the framing was installed, they realized how much they were going to use the area at night and decided to add recessed lights, a ceiling fan and an exterior outlet.

The final scope included:

• Attached Douglas fir patio cover
• Stained posts and beams
• Solid tongue-and-groove roof deck
• Waterproof roof membrane
• Proper ledger attachment
• New flashing at the house connection
• Code-compliant post footings
• Three recessed lights
• One ceiling fan
• One exterior outlet
• Dedicated electrical circuit
• Building permit
• Electrical permit
• Required inspections

The total project came in at approximately $19,500.

That is a good example of why a homeowner might start by thinking about a simple shade structure and ultimately end up with something closer to a true outdoor living space.

Why Is One Patio Cover Quote $8,000 and Another $16,000?

This is one of the most important questions homeowners can ask.

A $7,000 or $8,000 proposal and a $16,000 proposal may both say “12×20 patio cover” at the top.

That does not mean they include the same job.

In our experience, the difference often comes down to what is missing from the cheaper scope.

Permits May Not Be Included

This is one of the first things we look for.

Depending on the project and jurisdiction, an attached patio cover may require plans, permits and inspections.

If one contractor includes that process and another simply leaves it out, the quotes can look dramatically different.

Homeowners should ask directly:

“Are permits and inspections included in this price?”

Do not assume the answer is yes.

Material Specifications May Be Different

Aluminum framing is not all the same.

Different systems can use different wall thicknesses, post sizes and beam sizes.

A cheaper proposal may be based on lighter materials or different structural specifications than a higher proposal.

The structure may look similar in a rendering, but what is inside the posts and beams matters.

Footings May Be Different

The posts have to transfer the load of the structure into the ground.

Proper footing size and depth depend on the structure and site conditions.

We would much rather see a homeowner save money on decorative trim than save money on the foundation supporting the patio cover.

Footings are not exciting, but they are one of the most important parts of the job.

Electrical May Be Missing

One quote may include recessed lighting, fan wiring and outlets.

Another may include no electrical at all.

Before comparing totals, make sure the scopes actually match.

The Scope May Be Too Vague

“Install 12×20 patio cover” is not a detailed construction proposal.

A good scope should make it clear what the contractor is actually providing.

Depending on the project, that may include:

• Structural material
• Roof system
• Post and beam configuration
• Footings
• Electrical
• Finish
• Waterproofing
• Permits
• Demolition
• Cleanup
• Disposal

The less detail there is in the original agreement, the more room there is for disagreement and change orders later.

Where Should You Spend Your Patio Cover Budget?

If we were helping a homeowner prioritize a limited budget, we would spend money first on the things that are difficult or expensive to correct later.

Structure and Footings

This is the first place we would not compromise.

Correctly sized structural members and proper footings form the skeleton of the patio cover.

Once everything is finished, these components are largely hidden.

Correcting them later can mean taking apart significant portions of the project.

Permits

Permit requirements vary by jurisdiction and project, but where permits are required, we believe they should be treated as part of the construction process rather than an optional upgrade.

The inspections are particularly important at structural attachments and electrical work.

Waterproofing

If the patio cover has a solid roof and attaches to the house, the transition between the patio cover and the existing structure deserves special attention.

Flashing and waterproofing mistakes can allow water to travel back toward the home.

That is not the place to save a few hundred dollars.

Electrical Rough-In

If there is even a reasonable chance that you will eventually want a fan, lighting, TV or additional outlets, talk about it before the structure is finished.

You can always install a nicer fan later.

Running electrical through an already finished ceiling is much less convenient.

Where Can You Save Money on a Patio Cover?

Not every upgrade needs to make it into the first version of the project.

Choose Aluminum Instead of Real Wood

For homeowners who like the appearance of wood but do not necessarily need actual wood, a wood-grain aluminum system can be a good compromise.

It provides much of the visual warmth without the same maintenance requirements.

Use a Standard Roof System

A quality solid aluminum panel can provide sun and rain protection without the labor involved in building a tongue-and-groove wood roof with a separate waterproofing system.

Stick With Standard Finishes

Stock colors and standard fascia or trim details can reduce costs without changing the performance of the structure.

Custom color matching can always make a project look more personalized, but it is an aesthetic upgrade rather than a structural necessity.

Upgrade Fixtures Later

A ceiling fan or decorative light fixture can easily be changed in the future.

The important part is making sure the electrical infrastructure exists.

Spend the money getting the wiring right first.

Patio Cover Upgrades That May Not Be Worth It for Everyone

Some upgrades are great for the right homeowner but unnecessary for others.

Motorized louvered roofs are a good example.

They can create a beautiful, flexible outdoor environment, but they also represent a significant price increase over a fixed roof.

If adjustable shade is something you will genuinely use regularly, the cost may make sense.

If it simply sounds like a nice feature, a fixed roof may deliver better value.

The same logic applies to highly insulated roof systems.

Insulation can be useful, especially in certain applications, but an open-air patio is still an outdoor space. Not every homeowner will receive enough benefit to justify the additional cost.

We also caution against making a patio cover larger simply because “we are already building it.”

Build the footprint you will actually use.

A well-planned 12×20 space can comfortably accommodate a dining area, seating area or combination of the two without automatically needing to grow into a much larger project.

Why a $3,000 Patio Cover Kit Is Not the Same as a Contractor-Built Patio Cover

We hear this comparison frequently.

A homeowner finds a patio cover kit online for a few thousand dollars and understandably wonders why a contractor-built structure costs several times more.

The simple answer is that they are usually two very different products.

A kit price generally represents the materials in the box.

A contractor-built project may also involve:

• Labor
• Excavation
• Concrete footings
• Structural attachment
• Flashing
• Waterproofing
• Permits
• Inspections
• Electrical
• Site preparation
• Finish work
• Cleanup
• Project management

There is nothing inherently wrong with a patio cover kit if it fits your needs.

It simply should not be compared directly to a permitted, site-built structure tied into the home.

What Homeowners Usually Underestimate About Patio Cover Pricing

Most patio cover sticker shock comes from the gap between what a homeowner initially pictures and what they eventually ask the contractor to build.

At first, it may sound like “four posts and a roof.”

Once we begin discussing how it attaches to the home, how rainwater is handled, how the posts are supported, whether there are lights and fans, what the roof looks like from underneath and what permits are required, it becomes clear that the project is much closer to a small construction project than a backyard accessory.

Labor is another major factor.

Homeowners naturally look at the price of aluminum, lumber or roof panels and try to estimate the project from the material cost.

But skilled labor is a significant part of the total investment.

Someone still has to properly lay out the structure, excavate and pour the footings, install the framing, waterproof the roof connection, run electrical, coordinate inspections and finish everything cleanly.

What Should You Ask Before Comparing Patio Cover Quotes?

Before choosing a contractor based on price, compare the actual scopes.

At minimum, we recommend asking:

• Are permits included?
• What material and structural system are you using?
• What posts and beams are included?
• What footings are being installed?
• Is electrical included?
• Is waterproofing and flashing included?
• Is cleanup and disposal included?
• What is specifically excluded?
• What could become a change order?
• Is the contractor properly licensed and insured for the work being performed?

The goal is not necessarily to choose the highest quote.

It is to make sure you understand what you are buying.

So, What Should You Budget for a 12×20 Patio Cover?

For a 12×20 patio cover in the Los Angeles area, a reasonable starting range is approximately $8,000 to $35,000+, depending on the design and site conditions.

For the kind of project many homeowners are actually looking for — an attached 12×20 patio cover with a solid roof, quality materials, proper structural work and some basic electrical — we would plan around $16,000 to $20,000.

A simpler aluminum or lattice structure may come in below that.

A custom wood, freestanding or heavily upgraded outdoor living structure can easily go above it.

The most important thing is not getting the lowest number.

It is understanding exactly what that number includes.

Before requesting estimates, decide whether you want the patio cover attached or freestanding, solid or open, aluminum or wood, and whether you eventually want lighting, fans, outlets or entertainment features.

The clearer you are about the patio you actually want, the easier it becomes to get accurate estimates — and to compare contractors based on the same project instead of three completely different interpretations of the words “12×20 patio cover.”