FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Our company adopts a flexible pricing approach, assuring customers of the best service at a competitive and dependable cost.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Initial Inquiry & Consultation • You reach out via phone, email or our website form. On-Site Evaluation • We visit your property in California to take measurements, assess sun exposure, drainage and existing structures. • We discuss styles, finishes and any local permitting requirements. Custom Design & Proposal • Our design team creates a 3D rendering of your aluminum pergola, including optional features (lighting, retractable louvered roof, integrated gutters). • We prepare a detailed, turnkey quote covering materials, permits, labor and a guaranteed completion date. Agreement & Permitting • Once you approve the design and estimate, we sign a service agreement and collect a deposit. • We pull all necessary permits from your city or county. Fabrication & Preparation • Your pergola components are precision-fabricated in our shop using high-grade, powder-coated aluminum. • We stage delivery of materials and coordinate any subcontractors (electricians, roofers). Installation • Our certified installers arrive on-site and build your pergola according to the approved plans. • We manage the entire process—foundation, assembly, finish work and cleanup. Final Walk-Through & Close-Out • Together we inspect the finished pergola, test moving parts (if applicable) and make any minor adjustments. • We provide as-built drawings, warranty documentation and maintenance tips. Ongoing Support • We remain your point of contact for future maintenance, accessory additions or warranty service. • Our goal is a long-term relationship, ensuring your pergola enhances your outdoor living space for years to come.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
At California Pergola Systems, our journey began when our founder, a California-licensed contractor with a background in civil engineering and custom metalwork, saw a growing demand for durable, low-maintenance outdoor living solutions. Here’s how we got started: Identifying a Market Need In 2004, after completing several residential shade-structure projects with traditional wood pergolas, we noticed homeowners were frustrated by frequent repainting, rot and insect damage. Aluminum offered an ideal alternative—strong, weather-resistant and virtually maintenance-free. Leveraging Technical Expertise Our founder had just completed a degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on structural design, and held AWS certifications in aluminum welding. He teamed up with a master metal fabricator to prototype our first powder-coated pergola frames in a small shop in Orange County. Building a Turnkey Offering Realizing that customers wanted a single point of accountability, we expanded our skill set to include permitting, site preparation and project management. By 2016 we were pulling our own building permits, coordinating electricians for integrated lighting and training our own installation crews on OSHA-compliant safety practices. Establishing Local Partnerships To ensure top quality and reliable lead times, we forged partnerships with California suppliers of marine-grade aluminum and local finishers for bespoke color matches. We also joined the California Building Industry Association to stay ahead of code changes. Scaling Responsibly Word-of-mouth from satisfied customers led us to open a fabrication facility in 2018. We invested in CNC precision cutting and automated louver testing equipment, enabling us to serve both residential and light commercial clients across Southern California. Continuous Innovation Since our founding, we’ve added motorized louver systems, integrated zone-lighting controls and smart-shade options. Our R&D partnerships with pergola-system manufacturers keep us at the forefront of new features and installation best practices. Today, California Pergola Systems stands on the foundation of engineering know-how, hands-on metalworking experience and a commitment to turnkey customer service—everything we learned in those early years continues to guide how we design, fabricate and install every pergola under our name.