Pergola construction: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pergola construction is

Pergola construction builds an open-roofed structure of posts and beams over a patio or garden, anchored to footings and finished in wood or metal, with optional shade slats or climbing plants. It gives partial shade and a defined outdoor space, and its strength depends on the footings and the connections at each post and beam.

Signs you need it

  • A patio or deck gets too hot in the afternoon, and you want partial shade without a solid roof
  • You want a defined outdoor room for dining or lounging that feels separate from the yard
  • A climbing plant needs a sturdy frame to grow on, and a pergola would give it a place to run
  • A patio needs a structure that ties the space together and suits the look of the house
  • An old pergola has rotted at the posts or leans, and it needs rebuilding or a new structure
  • You want a shaded structure over a hot tub, a grill or an outdoor kitchen

What the pro does

  • Mark the layout and check the footings for the posts, keeping clear of utilities, drains and the house footing
  • Dig and pour the footings to depth, setting post bases or anchors so the posts sit clear of the ground
  • Set and plumb the posts, then bolt the beams to the posts with connections sized for the span and the wind
  • Install the rafters or the top rails across the beams, spaced for the shade or the slats you chose
  • Fit the shade slats or the cover material if the design calls for it, and check that the structure is square
  • Finish the wood or metal with a stain, sealer or paint, and check each connection for tightness

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size and height of the pergola, since a larger or taller structure needs bigger posts, beams and anchors
  • Material choice, such as cedar, pressure-treated pine, aluminum or steel, each with different cost and build method
  • Footing count, depth and the soil conditions that decide how deep each footing must go
  • Roof style, whether open rafters, slats, a louvered cover or a solid roof with drainage
  • Attachment to the house, which adds ledger work, flashing and a connection to the framing
  • Finish type, the number of coats and any custom details, such as curved beams or decorative brackets

What a written quote should spell out

  • Structure size, height and material named in the proposal
  • Footing count, size and depth, and the post base or anchor type
  • Beam, rafter and slat sizes and spacing, with the connection hardware used
  • Attachment method and flashing details if the pergola is tied to the house
  • Finish products, the number of coats and the reseal or repaint interval
  • Warranty on the structure and the finish, and what it excludes

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How deep are the footings, and what anchor do you use for the posts?
  • How do you connect the beams to the posts so they resist wind?
  • What size beams and rafters are you using for this span?
  • Will the pergola be attached to the house, and how is the flashing handled?
  • What finish do you use, and how often will it need redoing?
  • What is the warranty on the structure and the connections?

Red flags

  • Sets the posts directly on the ground or on blocks with no footing or anchor
  • Uses nails or light brackets where bolts and structural connectors are needed
  • Attaches the beams to the house without flashing or a ledger that is properly fixed
  • Spaces the rafters too far apart for the beam size and the material chosen
  • Says a pergola needs no footing because it is only shade

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can build a small pergola from pre-cut kit parts on a level, firm surface with footings set by a pro or to the kit's requirements. Call a pro for any pergola over a small size, any pergola attached to a house, any pergola in a high-wind area and any structure that will carry a heavy roof or a hot tub. Heavy beams and posts can crush fingers or fall, so use a helper and wear gloves, eye protection and steel-toed boots.

Licenses and permits

Whether a pergola needs a contractor license varies by place, and larger pergolas, structures attached to a house and roofed structures are commonly regulated and may need a permit in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially if the structure is attached to the house.

Pergola construction questions

Does a pergola need a permit?

It depends on the size, the height, whether it is attached to the house and the local rules, so the answer varies. Check with your local building department before the footings are set.

How do I keep my pergola from blowing over?

Deep footings, sound post anchors and bolted beam connections keep a pergola in place, and a solid roof catches more wind than open slats. Ask the pro how the structure is designed for the wind in your area.

How often does a pergola need staining?

Wood pergolas usually need a stain or sealer on a regular schedule, since sun and rain dry out and grey the wood. Ask the pro for the interval for the product they use, and check the connections each year.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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