Serving Riverside · Orange · San Bernardino · LA County
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Frequently Asked · 25+ Answers

The questions every homeowner asks. Answered straight.

Pricing, warranty, install timeline, HOA, permits, products, financing, service area. If your question isn't on this page, the free in-home consultation is the place to ask.

Pricing Warranty Timeline & Permits Products Company Process
01

Pricing & Financing

4 questions
How much does an aluminum patio cover cost?+
It depends on the size of your space and which product you choose — lattice and pergola are the most affordable, solid and insulated covers sit in the middle, and premium Velaro louvered systems are the top tier. Rather than guess, get your instant estimate: answer a few quick questions and we'll send a personalized ballpark right away. Your exact, written number comes with your free in-home consultation.
What is the most affordable patio cover option?+
Open lattice covers are the most economical structured patio cover we install. They provide partial shade (50–70% sun blockage), don't fully seal against rain, and are ideal for budget builds, vine-training, or partial shade over pool decks.
Do you give a real estimate before the consultation?+
Yes — answer a few quick questions and we'll send you a personalized ballpark instantly, no waiting on a callback. Your exact, written number depends on size, materials, finishes, and any HOA / engineering needs — all confirmed on the free in-home consultation. No deposit, no pressure.
Do you offer financing?+
Yes. Financing from 18 months to 8 years through multiple lender partners. Most Velaro buyers finance some portion of the project. Real monthly numbers walked through on the consultation so you can see options before deciding.
02

The 5-Star Lifetime Guarantee

4 questions
What is the 5-Star Lifetime Guarantee?+
Five things in writing, covered for the life of the structure: (1) leak-free for life, (2) wind-damage protected, (3) workmanship for life, (4) 30-day completion guarantee with a $100/day late penalty paid to you, (5) a clean build with daily comms. It is the only install guarantee of its kind in the industry.
Is the lifetime guarantee transferable if I sell my home?+
Yes. The 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee transfers to the new homeowner — adds resale value, and the new owner inherits the same coverage we provided on day one. No fee to transfer.
What happens if my patio cover leaks years from now?+
Mr. Patio Cover comes back at our cost and fixes it. Leak-free for life is one of the five written promises in the 5-Star Lifetime Guarantee. We do not nickel-and-dime warranty calls — it's covered.
What if Mr. Patio Cover goes out of business?+
Mr. Patio Cover has been in the industry since 1996 — 28+ years, with active CSLB License #1078301 and member status with the California Alliance of Patio Cover Contractors. The company is family-owned and structurally stable. The guarantee is also enforceable on the published written terms even in the unlikely event of business closure.
03

Timeline, Permits & HOA

4 questions
How long does it take to install a patio cover?+
Most non-insulated and lattice patio covers install in 1 day. Insulated covers run 1–2 days. Velaro Luxe and Grand louvered systems install in 3–5 days. Velaro Prima estate builds and specialty custom builds can run 1–3 weeks. Full sign-to-finish timeline: 2–6 weeks once permits clear.
How long until install actually starts?+
Typically 2–4 weeks from signed contract once permits and HOA approvals clear. Peak season (May–September) may add 1–3 weeks. Mr. Patio Cover handles every permit and HOA submission — you don't have to chase anything.
Do you handle the HOA approval?+
Yes. Mr. Patio Cover handles every HOA submission as part of the install — included. We have worked with nearly every HOA in Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties, so we know which boards want which paperwork.
Do you pull the permits?+
Yes — every city permit is pulled by Mr. Patio Cover as part of the install. Included in the quoted price. We handle the city engineering submittals, inspections, and final sign-offs.
04

Products & Materials

4 questions
Patio cover types compared
Lattice Non-Insulated Insulated Velaro Louvered
Relative price tier $ · Most affordable $$ · Mid-range $$$ · Premium $$$$ · Top tier
R-value / insulation None None (single skin) R-13 foam core None (open-air louvers)
Rain protection Partial Full (sealed) Full (sealed, quiet) Full when closed
Sun / shade control 50–70% shade (fixed) Full shade (fixed) Full shade, 10–20°F cooler Adjustable sun to full shade
Adjustable? No No No Yes — louvers rotate up to 170°
Warranty 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee Velaro 7/17/27-yr product + 5-Star Lifetime install
What's the difference between insulated and non-insulated patio covers?+
Insulated covers sandwich a 3-inch R-13 foam core between two aluminum skins — they run 10–20°F cooler under the cover, are conversation-quiet in rain, and present a finished ceiling. Non-insulated covers use a single aluminum skin — 5–10°F cooler, louder in rain, with visible rafters underneath. Insulated costs $3K–$6K more for a typical-size patio. Read more on the insulated page →
What is R-13 insulation on a patio cover?+
R-13 is the insulation rating of the foam core inside Mr. Patio Cover's insulated patio cover panels — 3 inches of closed-cell polyurethane sandwiched between two skins of powder-coated aluminum. Same material that insulates refrigerator walls. It blocks the radiant heat that a single aluminum sheet passes through, dropping the under-cover temperature 10–20°F on a hot day.
What is a Velaro motorized louvered roof?+
Velaro is Mr. Patio Cover's premium product line: a motorized aluminum louvered roof system with louvers that rotate up to 170°. Open the louvers for sun, close them for rain. Smart-home integrated with Alexa, HomeKit, Google Home, and rain/wind sensors. Backed by Velaro's 7/17/27-year layered product warranty plus our 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee. Read more on the Velaro page →
Can I add ceiling fans, lights, or speakers to a patio cover?+
Yes on insulated covers — pre-engineered mounting points make fan, light, and speaker installs clean. Yes on Velaro builds — integrated lighting, heaters, and audio are built-in options. On non-insulated and lattice covers, fans and string lights are possible but lighting must be surface-mounted (no recessed).
05

About the Company

5 questions
What areas does Mr. Patio Cover serve?+
Mr. Patio Cover serves Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles Counties — Southern California from the Inland Empire to the coast. Outside that radius, we refer to Built Right Patios in the High Desert (Hesperia, Victorville, Apple Valley).
Where is Mr. Patio Cover located?+
Mr. Patio Cover is headquartered in Chino, California, and serves the four-county Southern California region. Owner: Eric Engle. In the patio cover industry since 1996.
Does Mr. Patio Cover use subcontractors?+
No. Every install is done by Mr. Patio Cover's own employees. That's the mechanism behind the 5-Star Lifetime install guarantee — we can stand behind the workmanship because we hired, trained, and supervise the crew that did it.
What credentials does Mr. Patio Cover have?+
California CSLB License #1078301 (active), BuildZoom Top 2% ranking out of 336,931 California contractors, member of the California Alliance of Patio Cover Contractors (CAPCC), 281+ five-star Yelp reviews, 4.7 Google rating, 4.6 average across 343 customers on NiceJob, 5.0 on HomeAdvisor, 121 permitted projects in the past three years.
Are Mr. Patio Cover's reviews verified?+
Yes. All reviews live on third-party platforms (Yelp, Google, NiceJob, HomeAdvisor, BuildZoom) that verify customer identity and tie each review to a real install. Mr. Patio Cover does not pay for reviews or solicit them in exchange for discounts.
06

The Consultation & Process

3 questions
How does the consultation work?+
A free in-home consultation takes 45–90 minutes. A Mr. Patio Cover specialist measures the site, listens to what you want, walks through material and product options on paper, and provides a written, itemized quote. No deposit required to consult, no high-pressure sales — you decide on your own timeline.
Do I have to be home for the consultation?+
Yes for the initial consultation — Mr. Patio Cover needs to measure the actual patio space and walk through layout, attachment points, and finish options with the homeowner present. Phone or video follow-ups for quote revisions and questions are fine.
How do I get started?+
Book your free in-home consultation by submitting the form on the Mr. Patio Cover homepage or calling (951) 488-8377. A real person responds within minutes during business hours (Monday–Saturday, 7am–6pm). No deposit, no pressure.
Watch · Short Clips

Watch Eric answer the questions buyers actually ask.

No call required. Tap any clip and hear the straight answer — pricing, payment, warranty, wind, financing, timelines and more.

Why should I hire you over another company?

Can it stand up to the wind?

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Do you offer financing?

How much do you charge?

How does payment work?

How far out are you booked?

Can you install electrical fixtures in the cover?

Can you install heaters attached to the cover?

What type of guarantees do you have?

How clear is your contract?

Can I see some of your work?

Which is better — insulated or non-insulated?

What’s the price difference, insulated vs. non-insulated?

What should I expect from Mr. Patio Cover?

Important information you need to know.

What integrity looks like.

“Lifetime guarantee” lies most companies tell.

Our 5 written guarantees, explained.

Insulated vs. non-insulated — full breakdown.

Still Have Questions?

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