Custom Patio Cover vs a Kit Cover (281) 954-0079

You have seen kit covers priced in the low thousands, and custom quotes that cost far more. Both get called a patio cover. They are built in different ways, from different materials, by different people. Here is how they compare, row by row, so you can pick the one that fits your house and your budget.

What a custom patio cover is

A custom cover is a roof extension drawn for your house and built in your yard. We frame it in wood, then wrap it in James Hardie fiber cement or stone. We roof it with shingles that match your home. Every bolt and bracket is galvanized. The footers go at least 2 feet deep and 2 feet across, and we size each one for the job.

Because we build it on site, we can match your roofline, columns and colors. In our experience, that is what makes a cover look like it came with the house. See more of this work on our patio covers page.

What a kit cover is

If you are pricing a kit, it arrives as factory parts in set sizes. The common materials are vinyl and aluminum. The kit maker sets the sizes, the colors and the roof. In our experience, a kit reads as something added to the house, not part of it. Before you buy one, ask how it is anchored, who installs it and who backs the work.

Wood vs aluminum patio covers

If you are weighing wood against aluminum, start here. We build wood framed covers only, and we do not install aluminum covers of any kind. We chose wood framing because it can carry a Hardie or stone wrap and a shingled roof. That lets the cover take on the look of your house. It also gives us room to run electrical for fans, lights and outlets.

Aluminum covers come in set panels from the maker. If that is the look and price you want, a company that installs aluminum is the right call. If you want a custom patio cover in Katy built to match your home, that is the work we do.

When a kit is the right choice

A kit is a fair choice for some homeowners. We do not sell or install kits or aluminum covers, but we would rather say this plainly.

• Your budget is tight. Our owner puts a kit cover at about $2,000 to $3,000, and our covers start at $14,000.
• You only need shade. If you do not need fans, lights or a match to the house, a kit may do the job.
• You plan to move soon. If you will not be in the house long, a cover built to your roofline may be more than you need.

If one of these fits you, we are not the right company for the job, and that is fine.

When a custom cover is worth it

A custom cover makes sense when you plan to stay and use the patio. You want it to look like part of the house, with a fan overhead and lights for the evening. Your HOA reviews plans before anyone builds, and you would rather someone else handle the drawings. We handle HOA submissions across all of Cinco Ranch and the surrounding communities.

What a custom cover costs

Your custom patio cover starts at $14,000. Electrical, outlets, gutters, permit fees and HOA fees are all in that price. We will beat any competitor's price when they quote the same materials, so bring the written quote. Our patio cover cost guide for Katy breaks down what the price buys and what moves it up.

What happens when you call

Call (281) 954-0079 or book your free estimate online. We come to your home, measure the patio and talk through what you want. You get a written scope and price at no cost. Once you approve it, we handle the permit and the HOA paperwork, and the build takes about 2 weeks. Financing is available.