Cost of putting up a Patio Cover/Pergola?

[Alex_angel]

Does anyone know the cost to have a Lattice patio cover or Pergola put up? Nothing too big. Just something like 20*12 feet.

[patientlywaiting]

I would go with a patio cover with real roofing of some kind. The lattice is useless. It won’t provide cover from the sun or shelter for your outdoor furniture,

Depends on how fancy you want it and if you want to get a permit. Do you already have anchors for the posts? I’d say $2,000 and up. You may not be able to build it you have a small lot with setback requirements (check with the city).

[NotCranky]

I would go with a patio cover with real roofing of some kind. The lattice is useless. It won’t provide cover from the sun or shelter for your outdoor furniture,

This is a good idea. Usually people want these things by the rear sliding glass door. It is better to actually protect this area of the house from the elements for preservation of the house,comfort and cleanliness.
If you go with lattice put a rain shield of some type over the first few feet around the door(if there is a door).

[kicksavedave]

I spent a year building patio covers for a living. YOur price for a 12×20 should be between $3000 and $10K depending on a lot of factors, such as if you use prefab vinyl or wood, and how many decorative enhancements like routering edges and decorative corbels you want. Also, you can save money by going with thinner wood, like 4×4 posts vs more sturdy 6×6 posts, and 1×6 joists vs 2×8’s. YOu’ll have a thinner, toothpick looking result, but you’ll save money.

I disagree that using lattice, or those parallel slats you see on a typical SoCal patio cover, is useless. It blocks out a large percentage of sun and reduces the temp of your patio by a great deal. Full roofs block 100% and lower temps a little more, but lattice still works, and looks nice.

Get three quotes… you should see a range between $3K and $10K.

[PorkmanDelardo]

Go to J & W Redwood with your measurements. they will spec out all the wood and hardware you will need based on your measurements. This is an easy do-it yourself project and will cost you only for materials. If you hire someone, just double the materials cost and you will have a ballpark figure. I estimate materials at $2000. So your total cost is around $4-5K.
I used Redwood to build 3 10X12 patio covers and they came out great. I also stained instead of painted. It cost me $1,500. However, this was in 2001 and i am sure the price of wood has gone up considerably. If I had to do it over again, I would seriously consider some of the new composites like TREX. Supposedly lasts forever. with little maintainance. Porkman

[Alex_angel]

Thanks for the responses. I understand that the patio cover won’t cover 100% of the light but that’s what I want. Its sort of a 50/50 comprise of shade/sun. Doing it as a DIY. Well I don’t own any tools other than a hammer and screwdriver. So I would most likely hire someone.

Is it cheaper to do aluminum over wood? I have seen the faux wood and it looks real nice and the best part is you don’t have to deal with rot.

[kicksavedave]

Pre fab aluminium can be cheaper than wood if you use a pre made kit that doesn’t allow for customization. If you need a specific size or shape and a pre made aluminium kit won’t work, customizing aluminum to fit your needs can get more expensive than using wood. Good wood, with proper treatment, will resist rot for a very long time. Some people love natural wood, others don’t care.

I don’t recommend doing it your self, much of the job is a two person effort, especially if you use larger wood. Hoisting a 20′ 4×12 frame member 12 feet up in the air is not easy by your self.

Also there are plenty of codes that need to be followed, not the least of which is how you mount the ledger to your house. Mess that up and the problems are immense.

Another thing, your cost will vary depending on if you get a licensed contractor who gets a permit, or a free lance carpenter guy who doesn’t get a permit. Its your choice, but I think the risk of potentially having to tear it all apart and start over outweighs any potential savings.

[Alex_angel]

Permit? I never thought about thought. Is this a permit required type job?

[kicksavedave]

In San Diego county, as long is its above a certain size, yes it needs a permit. The limit, with certain exceptions, is 300 sq ft of roof area, or 12 feet above grade. 12×20 would be 240 sq ft, so that might not need a permit. There are also special rules for certain coastal zones. So to be sure, you need to research SD patio cover codes, which you can find here:

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/industry/pdf/infobulletin/ib206.pdf

By the way, the process for obtaining a permit for a custom patio cover, is a mega PITA. If you use the county’s plans for a patio cover, you can get approval for a “no plan permit” which is easier, but still not fun. Count on 3 trips to city hall downtown to get through the process. Long live bureaucracy.

[Alex_angel]

KSD. Great info! Thanks. This is a home in 4S ranch so I believe being Rancho Bernardo that it falls into SD County. As for total quare footage, that is TBD. I presume going through a contractor that they would know the code etc…? Of course I am talking about a BBB licensed guy and not those guys that hang out behing Home Depot.

[Alex_angel]

KSD. Great info! Thanks. This is a home in 4S ranch so I believe being Rancho Bernardo that it falls into SD County. As for total quare footage, that is TBD. I presume going through a contractor that they would know the code etc…? Of course I am talking about a BBB licensed guy and not those guys that hang out behing Home Depot.

[kicksavedave]

In San Diego county, as long is its above a certain size, yes it needs a permit. The limit, with certain exceptions, is 300 sq ft of roof area, or 12 feet above grade. 12×20 would be 240 sq ft, so that might not need a permit. There are also special rules for certain coastal zones. So to be sure, you need to research SD patio cover codes, which you can find here:

http://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/industry/pdf/infobulletin/ib206.pdf

By the way, the process for obtaining a permit for a custom patio cover, is a mega PITA. If you use the county’s plans for a patio cover, you can get approval for a “no plan permit” which is easier, but still not fun. Count on 3 trips to city hall downtown to get through the process. Long live bureaucracy.

[Alex_angel]

Permit? I never thought about thought. Is this a permit required type job?

[kicksavedave]

Pre fab aluminium can be cheaper than wood if you use a pre made kit that doesn’t allow for customization. If you need a specific size or shape and a pre made aluminium kit won’t work, customizing aluminum to fit your needs can get more expensive than using wood. Good wood, with proper treatment, will resist rot for a very long time. Some people love natural wood, others don’t care.

I don’t recommend doing it your self, much of the job is a two person effort, especially if you use larger wood. Hoisting a 20′ 4×12 frame member 12 feet up in the air is not easy by your self.

Also there are plenty of codes that need to be followed, not the least of which is how you mount the ledger to your house. Mess that up and the problems are immense.

Another thing, your cost will vary depending on if you get a licensed contractor who gets a permit, or a free lance carpenter guy who doesn’t get a permit. Its your choice, but I think the risk of potentially having to tear it all apart and start over outweighs any potential savings.

[Alex_angel]

Thanks for the responses. I understand that the patio cover won’t cover 100% of the light but that’s what I want. Its sort of a 50/50 comprise of shade/sun. Doing it as a DIY. Well I don’t own any tools other than a hammer and screwdriver. So I would most likely hire someone.

Is it cheaper to do aluminum over wood? I have seen the faux wood and it looks real nice and the best part is you don’t have to deal with rot.

[PorkmanDelardo]

Go to J & W Redwood with your measurements. they will spec out all the wood and hardware you will need based on your measurements. This is an easy do-it yourself project and will cost you only for materials. If you hire someone, just double the materials cost and you will have a ballpark figure. I estimate materials at $2000. So your total cost is around $4-5K.
I used Redwood to build 3 10X12 patio covers and they came out great. I also stained instead of painted. It cost me $1,500. However, this was in 2001 and i am sure the price of wood has gone up considerably. If I had to do it over again, I would seriously consider some of the new composites like TREX. Supposedly lasts forever. with little maintainance. Porkman

[kicksavedave]

I spent a year building patio covers for a living. YOur price for a 12×20 should be between $3000 and $10K depending on a lot of factors, such as if you use prefab vinyl or wood, and how many decorative enhancements like routering edges and decorative corbels you want. Also, you can save money by going with thinner wood, like 4×4 posts vs more sturdy 6×6 posts, and 1×6 joists vs 2×8’s. YOu’ll have a thinner, toothpick looking result, but you’ll save money.

I disagree that using lattice, or those parallel slats you see on a typical SoCal patio cover, is useless. It blocks out a large percentage of sun and reduces the temp of your patio by a great deal. Full roofs block 100% and lower temps a little more, but lattice still works, and looks nice.

Get three quotes… you should see a range between $3K and $10K.

[NotCranky]

I would go with a patio cover with real roofing of some kind. The lattice is useless. It won’t provide cover from the sun or shelter for your outdoor furniture,

This is a good idea. Usually people want these things by the rear sliding glass door. It is better to actually protect this area of the house from the elements for preservation of the house,comfort and cleanliness.
If you go with lattice put a rain shield of some type over the first few feet around the door(if there is a door).

[patientlywaiting]

I would go with a patio cover with real roofing of some kind. The lattice is useless. It won’t provide cover from the sun or shelter for your outdoor furniture,

Depends on how fancy you want it and if you want to get a permit. Do you already have anchors for the posts? I’d say $2,000 and up. You may not be able to build it you have a small lot with setback requirements (check with the city).

[sdduuuude]

For the top, I like this stuff they sell at home depot – I think it is called Sun Tuff.

It is a corrugated polycarbonate material so it keeps the rain off, but they have clear, opaque and dark colors so you can have a covered patio that lets as much light through as you like with 100% UV blockage.

If you have white window trim, the white opaque is quite nice and will match your house.

D

[sdduuuude]

For the top, I like this stuff they sell at home depot – I think it is called Sun Tuff.

It is a corrugated polycarbonate material so it keeps the rain off, but they have clear, opaque and dark colors so you can have a covered patio that lets as much light through as you like with 100% UV blockage.

If you have white window trim, the white opaque is quite nice and will match your house.

D

[gzz]

Home Depot has some nice ones on display right when you walk in for well under $1000.

Has anyone considered this?

I could not find anything about needing a permit for a pergola that does not have any side walls in the sd city website. Also no records from people seeking permits.

I like the idea of a slatted one that has a semi clear top that blocks UV rays and most rain but allows half the light in. Together with the wood slats that would be a nice 75% shade.

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