Top Questions to Ask Any Aluminum Patio Cover Contractor In the Temecula Area

Are you in the market for a new aluminum patio cover? Perhaps you are starting to do research on aluminum patio covers and want to find out more information. Whatever the case may be, we look forward to providing what we believe is a great questionnaire guide every homeowner can use before contracting any aluminum patio cover installer in Temecula. There’s a lot to look out for, we hope this helps!

Is your patio cover company licensed and insured?

Perhaps the most important question to ask any construction based company. Avoid any patio cover company that is not fully licensed, bonded and insured! Finding a legitimate patio cover contractor will save you a potential headache in the future. Green Bee Patios is fully licensed, bonded & insured. 

  Green Bee Patios carries worker’s comp insurance for all employees, meaning you have nothing to worry about while the crew is working at your home, we also carry liability insurance for your protection and ours! 

  Use the California State License Board website to verify any potential aluminum patio cover companies you may be considering here, cslb.ca.gov

Will my patio cover include the necessary city of Temecula permitting?

The answer should be YES without hesitation, we might add! Building Permits are vital when it comes to the construction of an aluminum patio cover, and will avoid various future headaches. Despite what some may say, permits are required for every attached patio cover constructed, as well as any detached (freestanding) patio cover over 120sqft, and should always be factored in to every project. When searching for an aluminum patio cover contractor, always be sure that permitting is a part of the package to ensure that building code requirements and proper setbacks (which vary from zone-to-zone) are being met. If proper setbacks per your specific zone are not properly identified, and a permit is not obtained, it could ultimately result in the city ordering you to take it down in the future, as this is a scenario that can be impossible to remedy after the structure has been installed. It also may likely become an issue if you plan on doing major upgrades to your home in the future, like adding a pool, solar, or another backyard feature that requires an inspector to visit your home.

  NOTE: Beware of any contractor suggesting non-permitted work, OR suggesting that you file for an "Owner-Builder" permit for whatever reason. This could mean that they are unlicensed and/or uninsured and cannot get the permit themselves. Understand that when filing for an "Owner-Builder" permit, you as the homeowner are agreeing to take on full responsibility should someone get hurt or if your property is damaged during installation. 

  The cost of getting a permit does vary from city to city. To check how much a permit will cost in The City of Temecula or in your local jurisdiction, please review our Building Permit cost guide here. 

  Always avoid companies offering discounts to install a patio cover without a permit! Here at Green Bee Patios we take special care to meet all current local jurisdiction requirements, providing a fully "hands-off" permitting experience, allowing your patio cover project to be a smooth and easy process.. and will never suggest an Owner-Builder permit. Do you want to learn more about the importance of a permit? Give us a call to talk to one of our professionals today!

What does the process of purchasing an aluminum patio cover from you look like?

This is a great informative question to ask. Every installation process could vary from company to company. It is always good to get an idea of how long the process will take, what the process will entail, and what you can expect. Understanding how each company works will allow you to make the best decision on which aluminum patio cover company is the best fit for you and your family. A typical installation process starts with a free estimate based on the size of the aluminum patio cover and what options you decide to go with. Here’s what the process looks like from your end in 3 simple steps.

Step 1 - Estimate: Call us today, or visit our online calculator, to get a quick and easy ballpark estimate based on the size and features you’re looking for, and take a couple photos of the area that you’d like to have covered for our review. Then, receive a scheduled, in-home, estimate to nail down the details, confirm setbacks and identify any potential issues so you won’t have any surprises along the way. 

Step 2 - Approval: Once a bid is accepted you will receive a contract drawn up to include all the details of the upcoming patio cover specific to your project. If your neighborhood has an HOA association, we will send you a siteplan needed for their approval. Note: depending on your HOA, approvals typically vary between 3-6 weeks.  

  Once approved by the HOA and/or you’ve given us the go-ahead, we will give you an approximate timeframe of installation and review the Building Permit & inspection process.  Your Building Permit will then be filed and materials will be ordered. Once the permit is obtained and materials are ready, we will contact you to schedule the final install date and construction can commence. On the day of install, a team of professionals will arrive at your home between 8am-10am to review the details and placement of all selected features to ensure everything is exactly what you ordered, and we’ll get to installing your new aluminum patio cover!  Upon completion, we will do a full walk-through with you to confirm all was completed properly, as planned. 

Step 3 - Enjoy!  The easiest step :) Your new patio cover will be fully complete, and you can start reaping the benefits immediately.

Will I need anything before your company builds my patio cover?

Most often, a sturdy concrete slab foundation with a minimum thickness of 4" is highly recommended before a patio cover is installed. Aesthetically and structurally, having a concrete slab in place prior to construction helps tremendously, keeping your costs down and the lead-time to completion minimal.  Whichever patio cover contractor you talk to should inform you on this important pre-construction step. If your backyard is completely empty, you will very likely want to arrange for the construction of a concrete slab before purchasing a patio cover.  

For more information on the pro’s and con’s of having a slab prior to build, give us a call to talk to one of our professionals today!

Do I need rain gutters on my home before installing a patio cover? 

Any experienced aluminum patio cover contractor in Temecula would advise you to install gutters on your home before starting your build.  On 2-story homes, the absence of an independent home gutter system may easily lead to what is commonly referred to as “Wet Wall” below your newly installed patio cover during or after a day of moderate to heavy rain-fall. When wet wall occurs, the first thought for most is “Oh no! My new patio cover is leaking!” when actually this is not happening at all.

What exactly is “Wet Wall”, and why does it happen?

It’s important first to understand that exterior stucco (a mixture of sand, cement, and water) in itself is not waterproof. Stucco is porous and will absorb moisture when wet, then release that moisture as it dries out. During or after even a moderate rain-fall, if a home has no gutter system in place to redirect rain water from the rooftop above, the concentrated water flow will be continuously falling on top of the patio cover. As the concentrated water falls on the patio cover, more and more water will splash onto the stucco directly above the newly installed patio cover’s attachment to the wall. At this point it is only a matter of time, as gravity runs its course, before the moisture being absorbed into the stucco above the patio cover visibly transfers down below, making it look like the patio cover is leaking when, in fact, it is not.

Are rain gutters for built into your solid aluminum patio covers?

Yes. Gutters for rainfall are built into every solid Alumawood patio cover you decide to purchase. Here at Green Bee, every solid patio cover comes with built-in rain gutters. 

Does your patio cover come with a warranty?

Without a doubt, this is one of the more important questions you'll need to ask any patio cover contractor. A warranty of some kind should always come with your patio cover purchase. Purchasing an aluminum patio cover without a warranty could lead to issues down the road. Damage could occur and without a warranty, you could be spending more money to fix the issues. Green Bee Patios offers a lifetime warranty for all of our aluminum patio covers. As an Alumawood Platinum Dealer, our close relationship with the manufacturer gives us the special opportunity to take care of our customers for years to come. The value of a lifetime warranty is priceless. To find out more about our aluminum patio covers, please visit our aluminum patio cover page here.

What is the typical turn around time in Temecula, start to finish, for an aluminum patio cover?

This will vary from season to season as well as company to company. During the hot Temecula summers, it is more common for consumers will find themselves in the market for an aluminum patio cover. If you plan on purchasing during these months, you will find a peak of wait times across the board. We recommend getting ahead of the market spike by purchasing in the winter months. To find out about how long an aluminum patio cover purchase will take, please contact us today.

We hope you found this comprehensive list helpful. With these questions, you should have the tools and knowledge to purchase a patio cover! If you're interested in learning more about Green Bee Patios and how we can build you a patio cover, please contact us today!