What to Know Before Hiring Canopies and More

Updated

Canopies and More is an El Paso–based company that designs, builds, and repairs custom shade structures for homes and businesses — canopies, pergolas, awnings, and patio covers. It's worth contacting if you want a custom-sized structure, a free on-site estimate, or repairs to an existing one. Before you sign, get three things in writing: the exact scope of the warranty, who supplies the materials, and the payment schedule. The sections below explain why each matters.

What the company actually offers

From its own site, the product line is:

  • Canopies — commercial and residential
  • Pergolas
  • Awnings
  • Patio covers
  • Repair services — fixing existing structures rather than only new builds

Two stated capabilities are worth noting because they shape what you can ask for:

  • Any size and shape. The company describes custom sizing as its mission, so non-standard dimensions or irregular footprints are within scope. Bring measurements or let them measure during the estimate.
  • Free estimates. The site advertises a no-obligation estimate, which is the right moment to pin down scope, materials, and timeline before any commitment.

The warranty claim needs verification

The homepage lists "Built Right Structure Warranty*" — with an asterisk and no published terms. That asterisk is the single most important thing to resolve before hiring.

Ask directly, and get answers in writing:

  • What does the warranty cover — the frame, the attachment points, the fabric, or all three?
  • How long does it run, and from what date?
  • Does it cover labor, materials, or both?
  • What voids it? (This is where the customer dispute below becomes relevant.)
  • Is it transferable if you sell the property?

Treat any verbal answer as provisional until it appears on the estimate or contract.

What customer reviews show

The site publishes three reviews. They point in different directions, and the disagreement is more useful than either extreme.

Positive: Two reviewers (Carlos Garfias, Robert Garcia) praise professionalism and finishing ahead of schedule. Garfias notes multiple completed jobs with no complaints. If on-time delivery matters to you, that's a consistent signal.

Negative: Raul Armendariz reports that an eye bolt pulled out of an I-beam on the first day of a shade installation, that the owner attributed it to the shade fabric, and that the crew left the site after a dispute.

The company's response is the informative part. It states that:

  • The shade fabric was not supplied by Canopies and More;
  • The company had advised against third-party materials because of warranty limitations and compatibility issues;
  • High winds during that period may have contributed;
  • The company says it returned, made corrections, and resolved the issue with the customer's team.

The practical lesson: material sourcing

The dispute centers on who provided the fabric. That's a pattern worth planning around, not just a one-off complaint.

If you supply your own materials — fabric, hardware, brackets — expect the warranty to be limited or void for the affected parts, and expect the installer to say so. This is common in the trade, not unique to this company, but it's exactly the kind of thing that turns into a dispute after the fact.

Before work starts, decide and document:

Question Why it matters
Who supplies fabric and hardware? Determines warranty coverage
If you supply materials, what's still covered? Likely labor only, or nothing
What wind rating is the structure designed for? El Paso wind is a real load factor
How are attachment points specified? The failure point in the negative review
What's the payment schedule? Tie payments to milestones, not upfront

How to run the estimate

  1. Request the free estimate and have them measure on site.
  2. Ask for the warranty terms in writing before you discuss price.
  3. State who supplies materials and get the warranty impact confirmed in writing.
  4. Ask about wind load and attachment method for your specific wall, beam, or roof type.
  5. Get the payment schedule — the company states it does not take payment without completing work, so confirm how that maps to milestones.
  6. Get the completion timeline in the estimate; on-time delivery is the company's strongest review theme.

Who this fits

Canopies and More is a reasonable fit if you want a custom-sized structure, are working in or near El Paso, and are willing to use the company's materials so the warranty stays intact. It's a weaker fit if you plan to supply your own fabric or hardware, or if you need published, standardized warranty terms before you'll commit — in that case, resolve the asterisk first or look elsewhere.