Enter the area of the patio, cost per square foot for material, labor hours required, cost per labor hour, and additional costs into the calculator to determine the total patio cover cost.

Patio Cover Cost Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the cost of a patio cover.

PC = (A * m) + (L * n) + C

Variables:

  • PC is the total patio cover cost ($)
  • A is the area of the patio (square feet)
  • m is the cost per square foot for material ($)
  • L is the labor hours required (hours)
  • n is the cost per labor hour ($)
  • C is the additional costs (permits, taxes, etc.) ($)

To calculate the total patio cover cost, multiply the area of the patio by the cost per square foot for material. Then, multiply the labor hours required by the cost per labor hour. Add these two results together, then add any additional costs such as permits, taxes, etc.

What is a Patio Cover Cost?

A patio cover cost refers to the amount of money spent on purchasing and installing a cover or shade for a patio. This cost can vary widely depending on factors such as the size of the patio, the materials used (like wood, aluminum, or vinyl), the complexity of the design, and whether it’s a DIY project or professionally installed. Additional features like lighting, fans, or custom designs can also increase the cost. On average, the cost can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

How to Calculate Patio Cover Cost?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Patio Cover Cost.


  1. First, determine the area of the patio (A) in square feet.
  2. Next, determine the cost per square foot for material (m) in dollars.
  3. Next, determine the labor hours required (L) in hours.
  4. Next, determine the cost per labor hour (n) in dollars.
  5. Finally, determine the additional costs (C) such as permits and taxes in dollars.
  6. After gathering all the variables, use the formula PC = (A * m) + (L * n) + C to calculate the total Patio Cover Cost.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Area of the patio (A) = 200 square feet

Cost per square foot for material (m) = $10

Labor hours required (L) = 8 hours

Cost per labor hour (n) = $20

Additional costs (C) = $100