Below are the price ranges national cost guides publish for professionally built patio covers and pergolas, with the source named on every line. They are a way to judge a quote, not a price list, and none of them are Brentwood-specific. Bay Area labor and engineering tend to push East Contra Costa jobs toward the upper half of a national range. The only price that applies to your patio is a written quote from a contractor who has measured it.
Cost per square foot by type
| Type | Installed, per sq ft | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum patio cover, any roof | $20–$50 | H1 |
| Alumawood-style lattice cover | $18–$22 | H2 |
| Alumawood-style solid cover | $20–$35 | H2 |
| Insulated (foam-core) aluminum cover | $36–$55 · $30–$60 | H2 · H1 |
| Wood patio cover, solid roof | $60–$120 | H1 |
| Pergola, all types | $10–$65 · $30–$60 | H3 · A2 |
| Pergola: aluminum or vinyl / cedar / redwood | $10–$30 / $25–$40 / $40–$50 | H3 |
| Louvered pergola: manual / motorized / smart | $45–$110 / $55–$125 / $75–$175 | H3 |
| Motorized pergola, all types | $60–$180 | A3 |
Angi's 2026 patio cover guide gives an average job of about $8,500, with most between $4,500 and $12,000 and a per-square-foot range of $20–$50. Its 2026 pergola guide gives an average of about $4,253 (most between $2,118 and $6,433), and its motorized pergola guide an average of about $13,700, with large custom roofs passing $50,000.
Typical totals by patio size
Most East County patio covers run off the back of the house, and three sizes come up again and again: a 10×20 over a standard slab, a 12×20 that reaches past the slab edge, and a 20×20 for a table and a seating group. Here is what the guides say for each, and the simple math using HomeGuide's $20–$50 aluminum range.
| Size | Square feet | Covered patio (H1) | Patio cover (A1) | Aluminum at $20–$50/sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×10 | 100 | $5,000–$15,000 | $2,000–$5,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| 10×20 | 200 | $10,000–$22,500 | not listed | $4,000–$10,000 |
| 12×20 | 240 | $12,000–$36,000 | $4,800–$9,000 | $4,800–$12,000 |
| 20×20 | 400 | $20,000–$60,000 | $8,000–$20,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
Why the two guides disagree: HomeGuide's covered-patio totals include solid wood roofs and finished ceilings, which run $60–$120 per square foot, while Angi's patio cover figures sit closer to aluminum. For a standard attached aluminum cover, the Angi column and the last column are the closer guide. For a wood-framed solid roof with a finished ceiling, use HomeGuide's. For pergolas, Angi lists 10×10 at $3,000–$6,000, 12×12 at $4,300–$8,600 and 12×18 at $6,500–$13,000 (A2). For motorized louvered roofs it lists 10×10 at $6,000–$18,000 and 20×20 at $24,000–$72,000 (A3).
Permit, plans and engineering
The City of Brentwood requires a building permit for any patio cover or pergola, whatever its size (see patio cover permits in Brentwood). The national guides price permits low: HomeGuide lists $60–$150 (H1, H3) and Angi $100–$500 for a patio cover and $50–$500 for a pergola (A1, A2). Those numbers rarely include plan preparation or engineering. Many aluminum cover systems come with pre-engineered drawings the contractor submits; custom wood framing and large louvered roofs may need project-specific engineering and bigger footings. Ask each contractor whether the permit, plans and engineering are inside the quote or extra.
What pushes the price up or down
- Roof type. Lattice is the cheapest aluminum roof, solid is in the middle, and insulated foam-core panels are the top (H2). Louvered roofs are a different price class.
- Size and span. Wider spans need heavier beams or more posts. A cover that runs past the slab may need new footings.
- Attached vs freestanding. Angi lists an average attached cover at about $4,000 and a freestanding one at about $7,000 (A1). Freestanding means four or more posts and footings, and no house to carry the load.
- Material. Aluminum is the low-upkeep middle; redwood and cedar cost more and need refinishing; a solid wood roof with a finished ceiling is the most expensive (H1, H3).
- Electrical. Fans, lights and heaters need power. HomeGuide lists an outdoor outlet at $180–$350; Angi lists $150–$260 (H1, A3).
- Gutters and drainage. HomeGuide lists gutters at $12–$25 per linear foot (H1). Louvered roofs drain through their beams and still need a place for the water to go.
- Add-ons on louvered roofs. Angi lists rain and wind sensors at $125–$200, heaters at $300–$2,000, curtains at $50–$200 and lighting at $50–$500 (A3).
- Removing an old cover. Tearing out a rotted wood cover is labor and haul-away. Some quotes price it as a separate line.
- Roof attachment. A ledger on a stucco wall is routine; tying into the roof or eave takes more work and flashing.
DIY kits versus professional installation
HomeGuide lists a 12×12 pergola kit at $1,450–$5,750 against $4,300–$9,350 for a custom build (H3). Kits are real, but in Brentwood a kit pergola still needs a permit, footings sized for the city's requirements and correct setbacks, and an attached cover still has to be flashed into the house. If you are comfortable with permits and concrete, a kit can save money. If not, the professional ranges above are the relevant ones. This site does not sell kits.
How to read a patio cover quote
- It states the size, the material and the exact roof type (solid, lattice, insulated or louvered), with the product line named.
- It says attached or freestanding and how it attaches to the house.
- It describes the footings and whether new concrete is included.
- It says who pulls the permit, who pays the fee and whether engineering is included.
- It lists electrical, gutters and demolition as included or excluded.
- It states the warranty and the payment schedule.
- The contractor's license number is on it. Verify it at cslb.ca.gov (opens in a new tab).
The full bid checklist and red flags are on choosing a patio cover contractor. The trade-offs between structures are on pergola vs patio cover vs louvered roof.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a patio cover?
Angi's 2026 guide puts the average patio cover at about $8,500, with most jobs between $4,500 and $12,000, or about $20–$50 per square foot. HomeGuide lists the same $20–$50 for aluminum. Bay Area jobs often land in the upper half of national ranges.
How much does a 12×20 patio cover cost?
Angi lists a 12×20 patio cover at about $4,800–$9,000. At HomeGuide's $20–$50 aluminum range, 240 square feet works out to $4,800–$12,000. HomeGuide's covered-patio range for 12×20 is much higher ($12,000–$36,000) because it includes solid wood roofs and finished ceilings.
How much does a 20×20 patio cover cost?
Angi lists a 20×20 patio cover at about $8,000–$20,000, which matches HomeGuide's aluminum range multiplied out. HomeGuide's covered-patio range for 20×20 is $20,000–$60,000, for heavier wood-framed builds.
How much does a louvered pergola cost?
HomeGuide lists louvered pergolas at about $45–$110 per square foot for manual systems, $55–$125 for motorized and $75–$175 for smart systems. Angi's 2026 motorized pergola average is about $13,700, with a 10×10 at $6,000–$18,000.
Are these prices for Brentwood specifically?
No. They are national ranges from the guides named on this page. Only a written quote from a contractor who has measured your patio reflects your project.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by size, material and design; get a written quote for your patio. See the disclaimer and cost sources.