We had Southwest do our patio cover two years ago. The work is solid, but yeah, you definitely pay a massive premium for the name. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably try to find a smaller local contractor who doesn't have such massive overhead.

What if one person always feels shortchanged? (Happened with my sis.)

My neighbor once brought me a giant glass of sweet tea while I was repainting her porch railing. Of course it slipped right out of my wet, paint-speckled hand. The sugary mess went everywhere, and cleaning that sticky residue off fresh white paint was a whole new kind of nightmare. It wasn't the same as etching glass, but it sure taught me a lesson about accepting drinks while your hands are full. Some kindnesses are better saved for after the tools are put away.

Yeah that right there would change anybody's mind. Used to think it was just extra fuss for thick metal until I saw a friend's repair fail the exact same way. Now it's just part of the setup, like grabbing your helmet. Takes a few minutes but saves a whole lot of cussing later when the weather changes.

You mentioned loving the raw, hands-on experience at less regulated sites. I get that, but I feel like even a little structure, like a single rope barrier, can save a site from real damage without ruining the vibe. Letting everyone touch and climb everything just leads to worn down formations and graffiti, which totally kills the connection for the next person. Some basic rules keep it real for everyone in the long run.