A patio cover costs $20 to $60 per square foot installed over an existing patio, while a full covered patio with a new base runs $4,000 to $22,500 depending on size and materials.1,2,3 Most homeowners land near the $8,500 national average for a mid-size covered patio.2,3 Prices below are national averages* for 2026.
*National averages, not local quotes. Your price depends on cover material, size, attachment style, permits, and extras like lighting and fans.
$20 – $60
cover only, per sq ft (HomeGuide)
$8,500
national average (Angi, Fixr)
$14 – $87
full covered patio per sq ft (Fixr)
$50 – $150
premium build per sq ft (HomeGuide)
One dataset note: Angi and Fixr publish the same $8,500 average and near-identical ranges, so treat those two as one dataset; HomeGuide is the independent second set.1,2,3
Cover cost by material (HomeGuide)
| Material | Per sq ft installed | 10’×20’ total |
|---|---|---|
| Metal / steel | $15 – $30 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Aluminum | $20 – $50 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Glass | $20 – $50 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Vinyl | $25 – $80 | $5,000 – $16,000 |
| Insulated panels | $30 – $60 | $6,000 – $12,000 |
| Fiberglass | $30 – $65 | $6,000 – $13,000 |
| Stucco | $40 – $100 | $8,000 – $20,000 |
| Wood (solid) | $60 – $120 | $12,000 – $24,000 |
| Solar | $80 – $100 | $16,000 – $20,000 |
Aluminum is the low-maintenance standard (lasts ~20 years but dents); wood looks best but needs regular painting or staining; insulated panels are aluminum-skinned foam that keeps the space cooler.1
Cost by cover type (Angi)
| Cover type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Awning (retractable fabric/metal) | $2,500 |
| Attached cover | $4,000 |
| Lattice (partial shade) | $4,500 |
| Pergola | $5,000 |
| Freestanding cover | $7,000 |
| Solid roof | $8,500 |
| Retractable / motorized | $10,000 |
Fixr’s 12’×18’ totals for the full patio with cover tell the same story: sailcloth $1,828 – $5,600, pergola $4,228 – $11,400, gabled roof $3,928 – $18,900, louvered $6,048 – $26,100.3
Labor, permits and extras (Angi)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Install labor | $50 – $120 per hour |
| Permit (attached structures, electrical) | $100 – $500 |
| Integrated lighting | $200 – $1,000 |
| Ceiling fan | $300 – $800 |
| Patio heater | $500 – $2,000 |
| Gutters / drainage | $500 – $1,500 |
| Wood cover sealing (yearly) | $200 – $500 |
| Inspection | $50 – $300 |
Standard installs take one to three days; custom jobs run a week or more.2
DIY or hire
Angi estimates DIY saves 30% to 50% (materials-only $1,500 – $7,500 vs $3,000 – $15,000 pro), and a shade sail at $50 to $200 is a genuinely tool-free weekend option.1,2 Kits make attached aluminum covers realistic for a skilled DIYer – Home Depot’s patio cover kits show current kit prices (plain link, not affiliate). Structural roofs, louvered systems, and anything needing permits or electrical work belong with a pro; DIY installs can also void manufacturer warranties.2
Related guides
Pergola Cost
Gazebo Cost
Retractable Awning Cost
All cost guides
Sources
1. HomeGuide — Covered Patio Cost
2. Angi — Patio Cover Installation Cost
3. Fixr — Cost to Build a Covered Patio