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How Much Do Pergolas Cost To Build

Should You Build A Pergola

DIY Pergola – Costs / Mistakes / How Long It Took

A pergola may seem like a simple DIY project you can knock together over the weekend, but it’s worth getting a professional involved if you want safe, secure results that last for years. Ask your contractor about the best style, size, design, building materials, and any custom extras they specialize in to ensure you get the best overall look for your home improvement project at the best price.

The right pergola can extend your outdoor space, protect your garden and prized plants, serve as a centerpiece for your BBQ or landscaping project, or simply add resale value to your home.

What Type Of Pergola Should I Install

The cost to build a pergola depends on three main factors: the materials used, the size of the pergola and the cost of labour for the installation process. Both the material and size of the pergola will greatly affect the overall cost. Meanwhile, the cost of labour ranges somewhere from $125 to $463.

A good tip in deciding on the materials to be used is to think about what style you want – do you want it classic, rustic, romantic, or modern? Choosing what style you want will narrow down materials you can use. Here are some top choices you can discuss with your Tasker to maximise your budget:


Factors That Influence The Cost Of Building A Pergola

When planning to build a pergola, whether DIY or by hiring a professional, some factors are bound to influence the overall cost. These factors include:

Materials

Building materials will affect the total cost of putting up a pergola. For example, if you opt to use exotic wood you will spend more per square foot as compared to other standard materials. Similarly, if you use redwood expect to spend twice the amount you would if you had used pressure treated pine. Materials such as vinyl and aluminum are very cost friendly, and they are among the options with the lowest cost.

Some materials require regular maintenance, while others are sensitive to the harsh weather conditions. Therefore, when selecting pergola building materials, consider these two factors. For example, to maintain the natural appeal of wood, you will need to seal it to prevent it from graying.

The Size of the Pergola

The size of your pergola will determine how much material you will need. It goes without saying that the bigger the pergola, the more material you will need. If you are hiring a professional, you will have to factor in the cost of labor. Generally, pergolas can either be open- air or have a slatted roof, so they do not require a lot of materials. But, if you are building a bigger pergola, you will need more materials which can affect the overall cost.

Labor Costs

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Purchase A Shade Sail Or Shade Cloth

Shade cloth is a stretched piece of fabric that hangs above a patio of any size.

A shade sail is similar, but it is shaped like a sail rather than a square. This may sound similar to retractable covers youve seen, but they are not the same.

Shade cloths appear more sophisticated and design-oriented because they are stretched across. They can be placed almost anywhere.

All you have to do is make three or four mounting points for the cloth, depending on its shape. This can be accomplished by burying poles in the ground or by attaching hooks to an existing cover.

Why You Need A Pergola

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pergola?

Pergolas are an excellent addition to your backyard living space, especially if you want to spend more time outside and be protected from the elements or have some privacy. There are many reasons to install a pergola, and Outdoor Living Today discusses a few.


Privacy

If you have a backyard visible to neighbors, pergolas are a great way to increase your privacy. Using curtains will give you more privacy by creating a closed space. Pergolas also protect from the elements and provide a shaded place to hang out during the sunny summer months.

Additional Space

A considerable advantage of having a pergola is that it creates additional space for you and your family or friends to spend time together. Many people put dining tables or lounge furniture under their pergolas for an extra eating or entertainment space. Not only does a pergola provide additional living space, but also room for plants. You can create a garden space in your pergola with hanging or vining plants.

Add value


Pergolas also add value to your home by including an attractive and practical element to your home’s landscaping. They add structural interest to your yard, which can help increase the value of your home.

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How Much Do Patio

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Patio and pergola covers are becoming more popular in the United States. As people become more conscious of their homes, they are installing patio coverings to protect their patios and pergolas from rain and other harsh weather.

There are many benefits to having a patio and pergola cover installed in your homes outdoor area, but there is also an associated cost.


This blog post will give you some insight into how much it costs to install a patio or pergola covering for your residential property based on factors such as size, material, and region.

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Does A Pergola Add Value To A Home

Heres what we tell our customers: yes, a pergola will add market value to any house. Since outdoor living has become more popular than ever, the value of properties with a pergola or a comfortable outdoor space has been on the rise. A safe gauge for a deck or backyard improvement is about 50% 80% for your ROI.

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Is A Pergola A Good Idea

A pergola enhances the amount of time you can spend outside while also expanding your living area. When properly designed and positioned on your property, a pergola may provide enough mild shade to make even a hot day pleasurable. If you still want further protection, you can install a retractable shade cover to provide even more shadow protection.


How Much Does It Cost To Build And Install A Pergola

Building a DIY Pergola with Toja Grid how much it COST!

Once you’ve purchased your materials or a pre-cut kit, expect to pay between $500-$1,500 for pergola installation. However, labor costs can double if you add custom elements like a new or raised deck, sealed roof, or other flourishes like rounded edges, gables, or latticework.

A Thumbtack pro and experienced carpenter in Snellville, Georgia, typically charges between $20$50 per square foot for materials and labor to build a pergola, depending on the complexity of the build.

For example, they recently built a 480-square-foot, pressure-treated pine deck topped with an 8×10 pergola. It included a custom roof and handrails on one side and the total cost was $6,500. That price included:

  • Materials cost: $3,750, including wood, concrete, posts, fasteners, and screws
  • Labor cost: $2,750, which included ground prep and construction
  • Design work: Six hours in total
  • 42 hours total of labor: Three-person crew, for two days

However, this Georgia-based pro said that a standard pergola on a traditional deck generally costs about $25 per square foot.

And it can be even cheaper to install a DIY pergola kit. A Thumbtack pro in Costa Mesa, CA offers 2-day pergola and gazebo kit assembly for the flat rate of $600.


Regardless of whether you opt to build a pergola from scratch or assemble one using a prefabricated kit, it takes at least two qualified professionals to assemble and install even the simplest structures.

Other common labor costs and add-ons include:

Also Check: How To Build An Outdoor Pergola

Brick Or Stone Pergolas

Another popular material for pergolas is brick or stone for the columns. Wooden cross beams are then used to create the slatted roof of the pergola.

Using brick or stone gives a much stronger frame, which can take more weight than a wooden pergola structure. As such, a brick or stone pergola does cost more than wood. Ideally its best to choose the same style brick/stone to match your house.

Is A Pergola Worth The Money

Pergolas are a great way to add shade and style to your yard, so the extra enjoyment makes them well worth the cost. Theyre great for accenting a garden, pond, vegetable patch, or another area that isnt the main gathering spot. For a patio, deck, or other entertainment areas, full shade structures such as umbrellas or awnings are usually a better fit.

Pergolas may also add value to your yard depending on where you live. Consider getting a home appraisal to see how building a pergola may affect your ROI.

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Pros And Cons Of A Pergola

Pergolas add definition and shade to your landscaping. They are extremely versatile. They come in many shapes, sizes, and configurations and can attach to your building or be stand-alone. They can have built-in or removable shade to get the desired function. They also add definition and boundaries to outdoor areas and are significantly less expensive than gazebos and other structures.

Pergolas are more open than gazebos and other structures, so they generally provide less privacy and shade. At most, a true pergola only gives you roughly 75% of the shade as a gazebo or pavilion. Adding louvres can increase that shade to about 90% to 95%, but it is still not 100% without adding cloth, vines, a motorized top, or other material. Adding shade, electricity, and other amenities dramatically increases costs because they require significantly more materials and labor.

Get The Right Pergola For You

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pergola?

Whether you choose to purchase a kit, work with a company to design something just for you, or build your own pergola in your yard yourself, having a pergola can offer you a lot of benefits. Make sure that you find the pergola that fits your aesthetic, your budget and your long-term maintenance needs. Regardless of how its designed or built, the most important thing is being able to enjoy your pergola for many years to come.

Contact the pergola design experts at Heartland Pergolas today to learn more about DIY pergola kits that are fully customizable.

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Pergola Vs Arbor Vs Trellis Cost Comparison

Adding a trellis to a pergola runs from $400 to $2,350 on average. You can find a prefabricated kit at local home improvements stores or find a pro to build a custom trellis. Custom builds will be more expensive but they allow you to design the perfect structure to build your space.

Arbors cost from $100 to $15,000 or more. High-end options like custom wood arbors with a gable or other decorative accessories can cost as much as $15,000. A simple prefabricated metal arbor kit costs far less, ranging from $100 to $500 on average.

Should I Use 44 Or 66 For Pergola

To adequately support the lumber overhead as well as give the pergola a sturdy look, youll probably need to use 6×6 for the support posts. For a very small pergola with only 4 to 6 feet between posts, 4×4 supports will work.

Is building a pergola hard? Building a pergola can be a simple to challenging building project depending on what plan you pick so make sure you know your skill level before starting. All the free pergola plans include building instructions, lists of tools and materials that youll need, diagrams, and photos.

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What Materials Should I Use

The material used in your pergola is ultimately the main factor that affects the overall cost. Some materials are cheaper than others. Cost shouldnt be the only consideration, though. You might want to consider durability and aesthetics too. Lucky for you, weve summarised some top choices for materials to be used:

Cost To Install Wood Pergola

DIY Pergola Build Start To Finish – Total Cost of $200
High
Wood Pergola Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: Custom wood pergola. Site built. Redwood or cedar construction. Quantity includes typical waste overage, material for repair and local delivery. 129 square feet $12,294.93
Wood Pergola Installation Labor, Basic Basic labor to install wood pergola with favorable site conditions. Assemble structure. Install on base supports. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. 129 square feet $12,294.93
Wood Pergola Installation Job Supplies Cost of related materials and supplies typically required to install wood pergola including: fasteners, load transfer hardware and connectors. 129 square feet $12,294.93
Wood Pergola Installation Equipment AllowanceJob related costs of specialty equipment used for job quality and efficiency, including: Pneumatic finish nailer, 10″ miter saw, electric jigsaw, 3″ belt sander, 3 1/4″ electric planer. Daily rental. Consumables extra. 129 square feet
Balance of 2 hr minimum labor charge that can be applied to other tasks.
Totals – Cost To Install Wood Pergola
Average Cost per Square Foot

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Can A Pergola Be Freestanding

There are lots of different styles of pergolas, but there are only three fundamental pergola designs. They are attached, freestanding, and hybrid. Attached and freestanding pergolas are very popular and share the installed pergola population of about 60/40 respectively.

Should a pergola be anchored? Even though a pergola is heavy and difficult to move once assembled, it has to be anchored securely to the ground for a number of reasons. Primary among them is safety.

Should pergola posts be buried? If you choose set posts directly into the ground and just back-fill the post into the hole, you must ensure the post is treated specifically for ground contact. And even then, you should expect the pergola posts will never last as long as those secured above the grade by metal post anchoring hardware.

What size should pergola rafters be? Pergola rafter size:- typically the rafters size used for pergola could be 2×6 , 2×8 , or 1.5×7.25 . The length of the rafters be as long as you desire the pergola itself to be. The longer the rafters, the more you need.

Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A Pergola

The cost of building a pergola is less expensive than the cost of purchasing a pre-fabricated pergola or engaging a professional to build one. However, you will require the necessary tools, experience, and time to effectively execute the project in order to guarantee that it lasts and offers the greatest amount of value possible.

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Who To Hire To Install A Pergola

Decks and Pergolas

As mentioned above, the installation of the pergola should be completed by a qualified carpenter or builder. The best way to hire the best carpenter or builder for the job is to view their past work on pergola installations specifically. If you like their previous work and they have solid reviews of past customers with reasonable rates, you’ve found your pergola installation expert.

The prices above are just a guide and subject to the time the article was made if you want an accurate and up-to-date price, get quotes from local carpenters today. This is the best way to get a proper understanding of the processes and costs involved in completing your ideal pergola installation with all of the features and details you have in mind for the project.

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Wood Patio Covers And Pergolas

  • Wooden lattice patio covers 10 x 10 : Average cost: $7193, Price Range: $5507 $8878
  • Wood roof patio covers 10 x 10 : Average cost: $10500, Price Range: $7500 $13500

Wood patio covers are the most expensive patio cover option. We could write an entire article just about the various woods you can use to build your cover and how much of your retirement savings youd spend on it.

To keep things simple, well only look at the wood species that is most commonly used in Southern California, Douglas Fir. It is, in fact, the industry standard.

Why? Douglas fir outperforms other North American softwoods in terms of strength and durability. That is, it is resistant to the high winds, earthquakes, and storms that we experience in California.

It also has a gold-orange color that many people find appealing. At the same time, Douglas Fir has good fungus and insect resistance. When choosing a material for exterior applications, it is essentially the wood that other woods are compared to.

Building a wooden patio cover necessitates the use of special drawings, and all covers are subject to concrete footings. In contrast to aluminum and vinyl, which are installed directly on a concrete slab.

After an inspection, the wood patio covers must have a hole dug and then filled with concrete. patio cover price

The wood needed for these patio covers varies greatly in size and dimension, which, of course, affects the price significantly.

Wooden lattice patio covers


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