Covered Patios & Pergolas in the Bay Area.
Your Outdoor Space Deserves More Than Just a Slab of Concrete
You already have the backyard. You already have the weather 260+ days of sunshine across the South Bay and San Benito County. What you're missing is the structure that turns an unused patio into the place where your family actually spends time. A covered patio that keeps you comfortable when the Hollister sun is at full strength in July. A pergola that filters light over your Gilroy dinner table on a Saturday night. A shade structure that makes your Morgan Hill backyard usable from morning to evening, all year long.
SGM Builders Inc. designs and builds custom covered patios, pergolas, and outdoor shade structures for homeowners in Hollister, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Los Altos. We're not a patio kit company we're a licensed general contractor who builds permanent, code-compliant structures attached to your home or standing on their own, designed for how you actually live outdoors.
WHAT WE BUILD
Solid Covered Patios
A solid patio cover gives you a true outdoor room full shade, full rain protection, and a finished look that extends your home’s living space. We build solid covers with insulated roofing panels, matching stucco or wood finish to your home’s exterior, and integrated electrical for ceiling fans and recessed lighting.
A solid cover is the right choice if you want complete weather protection, year-round usability, and a space that feels like a natural extension of your home. Most of our Hollister and Gilroy clients choose solid covers because the summer heat makes full shade a necessity, not a luxury.
What’s included: Engineered posts and beams, insulated roof panels or matched roofing material, proper flashing where the cover meets your home, gutters and downspouts for drainage, electrical rough-in for fans and lighting, and a building permit with all required inspections.
Pergolas
A pergola provides filtered shade and an open-air feel. The crossbeam design lets light through while reducing direct sun, and it creates a defined outdoor space that feels intentional not just a random corner of the yard. We build custom wood pergolas (cedar, redwood, pressure-treated) and aluminum pergolas in styles that complement your home.
Pergolas work well as standalone structures over a patio, dining area, or walkway. They’re also popular attached to the home as a transition between indoor and outdoor space. Many homeowners in Los Gatos and Saratoga choose pergolas for their aesthetic appeal the open beam design creates a clean, architectural look.
Options: Freestanding or attached · Cedar, redwood, or aluminum · Stained, painted, or natural finish · Optional electrical for string lights or fans · Optional retractable shade canopy
Covered Patio with Outdoor Living Features
The most popular projects we build combine a covered patio with additional features that make the space truly functional:
The most popular projects we build combine a covered patio with additional features that make the space truly functional:
Covered patio + outdoor fan and lighting.
The baseline upgrade. A ceiling fan keeps air moving during Hollister and Gilroy summers, and recessed or pendant lighting extends your outdoor hours well past sunset.
Covered patio + outdoor kitchen.
The baseline upgrade. A ceiling fan keeps air moving during Hollister and Gilroy summers, and recessed or pendant lighting extends your outdoor hours well past sunset.
Covered patio + outdoor kitchen.
A built-in grill, countertop, and prep area under a solid cover turns your backyard into a legitimate cooking and entertaining space. We handle the gas line, electrical, and countertop installation.
Covered patio + firepit or fireplace.
Extend your outdoor season into the cooler months. A gas firepit under an open pergola or near a covered patio creates a gathering point for fall and winter evenings.
Covered patio + concrete or paver patio.
If your existing patio slab is cracked, too small, or doesn't extend far enough, we can pour new concrete or install pavers as part of the covered patio project one contractor, one project, one timeline.
Shade Structures & Patio Extensions
Not every project needs a full covered patio. Sometimes what you need is a shade sail over a play area, a small pergola over a hot tub, or a patio extension that connects your back door to your existing seating area. We build structures of all sizes and scale the project to fit your goals and budget.
Shade Structures & Patio Extensions
Not every project needs a full covered patio. Sometimes what you need is a shade sail over a play area, a small pergola over a hot tub, or a patio extension that connects your back door to your existing seating area. We build structures of all sizes and scale the project to fit your goals and budget.
Our Process. From Concept to Completed Outdoor Space
1. Free On-Site Consultation
We visit your home, look at the space, discuss your ideas, and talk about how you want to use the area. We measure, evaluate the attachment point to your home (if applicable), and identify any site conditions that affect design.
2. Design & Proposal
We develop a design that fits your home’s architecture, your lot, and your budget. You receive a detailed written proposal with scope, materials, timeline, and cost. No vague estimates.
3. Permits (When Required)
Covered patios attached to your home and structures over a certain size require building permits. We handle the entire permit application plans, submittal, and inspections — so you don’t have to deal with city hall.
4. Construction
Our crew builds your structure with proper engineering, quality materials, and clean workmanship. Most patio cover and pergola projects take 1 to 3 weeks depending on scope.
5. Final Walkthrough
We walk through the completed project together. Electrical is tested, finish is inspected, and everything is confirmed before we call it done.
Serving These Bay Area Communities
General Contractor Los Gatos, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a covered patio or pergola?
It depends on size and whether the structure is attached to your home. Freestanding pergolas at grade level often don’t require a permit, but covered structures and anything attached to the house usually do. Permit requirements vary by city Hollister, Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Los Altos all have slightly different rules. We determine what’s needed for your specific project and handle the process.
What's the difference between a covered patio and a pergola?
A covered patio has a solid roof that provides complete shade and rain protection it functions like an outdoor room. A pergola has an open-beam design that filters sunlight but doesn’t block it completely and doesn’t provide rain coverage. The choice depends on whether you want full protection or a lighter, more open aesthetic.
Which material is better for a pergola — wood or aluminum?
Both work well in the South Bay climate. Wood (cedar or redwood) gives a warm, natural look but requires periodic staining or sealing. Aluminum is virtually maintenance-free, won’t rot or warp, and comes in a range of finishes. Wood costs less upfront; aluminum costs less over time. We build with both and can help you decide what makes sense for your home.
Can you add electrical to an existing patio cover?
Yes. If you have an existing patio cover without electrical, we can add wiring for ceiling fans, recessed lights, pendant fixtures, and outdoor outlets. This is a straightforward project that typically takes 1 to 2 days.
How long does it take to build a covered patio?
A standard solid patio cover takes 1 to 2 weeks from start to finish once the permit is in hand. A pergola is typically 3 to 7 days. Larger projects that include an outdoor kitchen, new patio surface, or other features take 3 to 6 weeks.
Can you match the patio cover to my home's existing roof and exterior?
Absolutely. We match roofing material, paint color, stucco texture, and trim details so the patio cover looks like it was part of the original home — not an afterthought. This is one of the biggest differences between a contractor-built cover and a prefab kit.
Ready to Build Your Outdoor Living Space?
Tell us what you're imagining. We'll visit your home, look at the space, and put together a plan that turns your backyard into the outdoor room you'll actually use — every day, every season.