Patio covers are an excellent way to protect your outdoor space from the elements while extending your living and entertaining area into the backyard. The most common question about these stylish and functional additions is their cost. Unfortunately, the answer depends on many factors.
The type of patio cover you want, the materials you need, and the labor required to install it will all affect your overall costs. This guide will explain all your patio cover options and answer questions about their installation costs.
Overview of Covered Patio Costs
Patio covers can range drastically in cost, depending on the size wanted, the materials needed, and the labor required for the project. If you plan to install your patio cover professionally, get quotes from multiple contractors to ensure you get the best price. Use this guide to outline expected costs, and be cautious of services that charge significantly more. Similarly, if you are tackling this as a DIY project, create a strict budget and stick to it.
General Cost Factors
A patio cover can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $25,000, depending on the type and design, among other factors. The average patio covering will set you back around $6,500. You can quickly estimate your own costs by determining what size you need and multiplying it by the expected costs of $50-$150 per square foot. Use the higher number if you know you want the best of the best and the lower part of the range if you are trying to keep a conservative budget.
Comparison of Different Cover Types
Not all patio covers are built the same, so their costs will vary.
- Canopies: These are usually the cheapest patio covers, costing around $1000-$2000. Canopies are extremely versatile as they are often used as temporary covers. This means you can set them up whenever you want and put them away to avoid damage as soon as possible. They let in fresh air, while keeping sunlight out, perfect for a hot summer’s day.
- Pergolas: These types of patio covers can cost between $2500 and $6000, depending on the intricacy of the design you desire. They are perfect for those who want architectural features like columns and flat, latticed roofs and make a stylish addition to any outdoor space.
- Gazebos: This type of patio covers costs between $7500 and $10,000. A gazebo usually has a slanted, full roof instead of a flat, latticed one like a pergola, so it is better for climates that face more changeable weather. Like a pergola, gazebos create warm, cozy spaces where you can spend time with your loved ones protected from the elements.
- Lattice: Expect to pay somewhere between $4000-$9000 if your heart is set on the lattice style. If you live in a moderate climate, this is the best way to ensure you get an excellent level of sunlight without feeling disturbed by the harsh rays.
- Louvered: This is the most expensive type of patio cover, costing between $5000 and $22,000, but what you get is definitely worth it. Louvered patio covers are the most intricate of all these options, giving you the exact amount of shade and sunlight you need each day you use them. An electric louvered roof will allow you to switch between options at the touch of a button.
Detailed Cost Breakdown
The cost of your patio cover will come down to three main components: the material you want to use, the size you are looking to get, and the amount of labor needed to construct your cover. All of these will range from project to project, so remember the cost of each thing you want to create a realistic budget for your cover.
Material Costs
The material you use to build your patio cover will determine much of the project’s cost. There is a lot of choice here, with dozens of specially designed products made just for patio covers waiting to be used. Below, we’ll give a broad overview of your options.
- Vinyl: Vinyl is the perfect material for a cheap DIY project or a bit more friendly on the wallet. It is the cheapest material you can use, costing around $5-13 per square foot. Although vinyl is cheap at first, it needs to be replaced more often than any of the other materials listed here, as it warps and fades easily in the sun. Keep this in mind when considering long-term costs for your patio cover.
- Aluminum: Aluminum is a fantastic, durable metal perfect for solid patio covers. This material costs around $20-70 per square foot, which makes it more expensive than other options, but it is worth it if you want to use your patio all year round. Check out our range of DIY aluminum patio covers.
- Fiberglass: This is an excellent option if you are looking for a fully customized material that is durable and weather-proof. Fiberglass prices range from $15-40 per square foot, depending on the style and colors you would like for your design.
- Glass: Is a unique building material that allows you to see the world around you as if you had no cover at all. Making your patio cover out of glass will cost around $25-45 per square foot, but the views you will get while you sit comfortably on your patio are worth every penny.
- Wood: This is a versatile and beautiful material for your patio cover, adding a sense of style and stability to your outdoor furnishings. Wood is on the cheaper side of materials, costing $15-35 per square foot. However, remember that you will need to do regular upkeep on your patio cover so you need to keep in mind the maintenance cost of each possible material. Wood falls on the higher side here as it will need regular refinishing.
Size Implications
The cost of your patio cover will depend largely on the size of your current patio and the amount you want covered. The material you use and the labor you pay for will all be based on the number of square feet you want to be covered. Because of this, you may want to consider only covering part of your patio, protecting a section from the elements, and leaving a section open to enjoy on a nice, sunny day.
Labor Costs
Unless you are putting up your own DIY patio cover (which we highly recommend), you will need to pay labor costs. These can vary drastically based on where you are located, the project’s complexity, and the type of patio cover you want. We estimate that labor costs set the average potential person back $10-30 per square foot.
This can add up quickly if you have a larger space to cover or if you want lots of additions like an electrical set-up or firepit installation. You may even have to pay for a designer or specialist contractor if you want something unique for your outdoor space, drastically increasing labor costs.
Additional Costs and Considerations
Building Codes and Permits
Necessary permits and regulatory considerations that might affect the project.
Although adding a simple canopy covering for your patio will likely not require a building permit, you may need one if you plan to create an entire structure for your roof, involving levels of engineering and planning. This is particularly true for structures like gazebos and pergolas.
If you live in an area prone to severe storms, you will need to follow specific building codes to ensure your structure is safe, often requiring a permit. A permit can cost up to $1800, though it usually ranges around a few hundred dollars if necessary.
Enhancements and Customizations
Additional costs like fans, heaters, and lighting can drastically increase the costs of your patio cover build-out. It may help to consider these additions later in your patio build-out rather than right at the beginning to help spread out the costs. As far as additions go – whatever you can imagine, you can probably add to your patio.
- Lighting: A simple porch light will only cost a few hundred dollars, and you can easily create an atmospheric DIY setup with inexpensive outdoor fixtures. However, if you are looking for a fully set-up electrical system to power a range of lights, then expect to pay between $2000 and $5000. This is definitely worth it if you frequently use this space to entertain at night.
- Fans: Stand-alone fans can easily be added to your patio build for a small price. Many people want more than this though, opting for a full cooling system to be installed along with their patio cover. Adding an air-conditioning unit for an enclosed porch system can cost from $2000-$6000
- Heaters and Fireplaces: An outdoor heater will cost $150-500, whereas an outdoor firepit can be as expensive as $2000. If you are looking for something even fancier, an outdoor fireplace costs between $1500-20,000, depending on whether you want a pre-made unit or a custom build.
Benefits of Installing a Covered Patio
Increased Home Value
A patio can increase the value of your home immensely by offering a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy. This means that you will attract higher offers when selling the house and that you will get more out of your home by using the space you own more.
Enhanced Living Space
Extended outdoor living spaces, protected from the elements, provide you and your family with numerous benefits. These include everything from aiding your social life by allowing you to host outdoors in the summer months to improve your health by letting you breathe in fresh air while avoiding sunburn.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
DIY patio covers are often the best way to get precisely what you want for a fraction of the cost of professional installation. With DIY, the sky is the limit to where you can go, as you are the project master. The feeling you get when it is all finished and the pride you feel when showing off your work to your friends and family will more than make up for the time you invest in your patio cover.
If you need a complicated project done quickly, consider professional installation. However, if you have the time and want complete control, we encourage the DIY route.
DIY Possibilities and Challenges
If you plan to build your patio cover yourself, we recommend taking it one step at a time. Start with a simple design and inexpensive materials like vinyl. From there, you can enhance the foundation, switch materials if needed, and add fixtures to improve your project. If you feel overwhelmed, tackle your project gradually. The most important aspect of building a patio cover is ensuring it’s structurally sound, so do your research and take your time.
To make life easier, you could also buy a fully loaded DIY kit, which includes beams, rafters, and all the materials you need to build your own patio cover at home is possible. A DIY cover can cost as little as $200 and a few hours of your time to get exactly what you want.
Finding the Right Contractor
If you are looking for something more complicated and do not have specialized skills within the type of work you are looking for, then you might want to consult the services of a general contractor. Make sure you look around a few different places to get someone who understands exactly what you want and is happy to fit within your budget. During the installation process, your contractor should keep you informed and avoid surprising you with hidden costs or unexpected procedures.
Long-Term Value and ROI
Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
The initial investment in a patio cover may seem steep, as it can cost tens of thousands of dollars. However, a patio cover is a smart investment as it increases your home’s value and allows you to fully utilize your outdoor space. Additionally, if you sell your home, you can expect an 80% return on investment from your patio cover, recouping a significant portion of your initial costs.
Maintenance and Durability
Although your maintenance routine may differ depending on the size and material used in your cover, we have listed three integral tips that can be applied to every patio cover maintenance routine below.
- Inspect regularly: If you want to keep your patio cover beautiful, you have to inspect it regularly to check for any parts that need repair or replacement. This means checking the cover and ensuring that any additional fixtures like lighting, firepits, or structural beams all look as they should.
- Clean frequently: Your patio cover should be cleaned every three to four months or more if you notice that it is getting dirty ( this might be the case if you live in a particularly dusty or rainy environment. ) Cleaning your cover effectively will differ between different styles and materials, but generally, you should use a mild cleaning solution that does not contain any harsh chemicals to scrub down your cover, getting rid of any stains or mildew that has formed.
- Address Rust Immediately: Even if your patio cover is not made of metal, some parts of it may be, like the support beams or other features. If you spot rust during your inspections, address it immediately with a rust remover. If you leave it too long, it could become a major problem requiring professional assistance.
Final Thoughts
Patio covers can range drastically in price from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands. Before starting your project, use the information in this guide to estimate the cost of your addition, considering your specific needs and wants. This estimate will be essential for negotiating with contractors or selecting the best materials for your DIY installation.
We encourage anyone interested in installing a patio cover to consult experts to discuss personal needs and property specifics to determine the exact cost.
