The short answer
San Diego contractors publish solid aluminum patio cover pricing of about $45 to $60 per square foot installed in 2026. For a typical 12 by 20 foot cover (240 square feet), that works out to roughly $10,000 to $15,000. Lattice covers generally come in below that, and insulated covers above it.
| Cover size | Typical installed price, solid aluminum (San Diego, 2026) |
|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $5,000 to $8,000 |
| 12 x 20 ft (240 sq ft) | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| 20 x 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $18,000 to $20,000 |
Size examples are published San Diego contractor pricing for solid covers (see sources below). Your price depends on your site, design and contractor.
Why San Diego costs more than national averages
National cost guides list aluminum patio covers at $20 to $50 per square foot installed, and around $4,000 to $10,000 for a 10 by 20 foot cover. San Diego quotes regularly land above that. Higher local labor costs, engineering requirements for solid roofs and permit costs all add up. If you're comparing against a national guide, expect local quotes toward the top of those ranges or higher.
Cost by style
- Lattice: the most affordable Alumawood style, since it uses less material than a full roof. National guides put open lattice covers at about $20 to $40 per square foot. More on lattice covers.
- Solid: about $45 to $60 per square foot in San Diego. Adds rain protection and a roof for lights. More on solid covers.
- Insulated: typically the most expensive of the three because of the foam-core panels. National guides list insulated panel covers at $30 to $60 per square foot, and San Diego quotes run higher. More on insulated covers.
What drives your price
- Size. The biggest factor. Larger covers cost more in total but often less per square foot.
- Style. Lattice, solid, insulated or a combination of solid and lattice.
- Attached or freestanding. Freestanding covers need posts and footings on every side.
- Footings and site work. Slopes, poor soil or breaking through existing concrete add cost.
- Electrical. Fans, lights and outlets need wiring and often a separate electrical permit.
- Engineering and permits. Solid roofs usually need engineered plans, and permit requirements vary by city.
Permit costs
In the City of San Diego, a patio cover of 300 square feet of roof area or less on a single-family home or duplex may be exempt from a building permit. That exemption does not apply in the Coastal Zone, on environmentally sensitive lands, in historic districts, in certain planned developments or where the cover encroaches into a required setback. Electrical work still needs its own permit.
When a permit is needed, the city charges plan check and administrative fees at submittal and inspection fees at issuance. One San Diego installer reports the city permit at about $2,000 including fees. Other cities in the county set their own rules and fees, so ask your contractor whether the permit is included in the quote.
How to get an accurate quote
- Measure the area you want covered, or have the installer measure it at the visit.
- Decide whether you want lattice, solid, insulated or a mix, or ask for a quote on two options.
- Mention any plans for fans, lights or a future enclosure.
- Ask whether permits, engineering and haul-away are included.
- Get the quote in writing, and verify the contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov.
Sources
Prices checked October 2026. San Diego solid cover pricing and size examples: Soltech Patio Covers (updated October 2026). San Diego attached solid cover totals: Install It Direct (updated March 2026). National per-square-foot ranges: HomeGuide (updated February 2026). Permit rules: City of San Diego Information Bulletin 206 (March 2026).