How Much Does It Cost to Build a Pergola? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,129 - $6,425
The average cost to build a pergola is $4,259, often ranging from $2,129 to $6,425 depending on materials, labor, and customizations.
A pergola is an outdoor structure with four pillars and a roof that can be attached directly to a house or stand on its own. They offer cool shade on hot sunny days, and they can protect you from the rain while you're outside enjoying your latest read. But how much does it cost to install one? The cost to build a pergola is $4,259 on average, though it can cost as little as $600 or as much as $12,000.
- Average
- $4,259
- Low end
- $600
- high end
- $12,000
Cost to Build a Pergola by Square Foot
Whether you have a small yard or a large one, a pergola can add both style and shade. The average cost to build a pergola ranges between $2,129 and $6,425, and square footage is one of the biggest factors that affects how much you’ll pay.
Building a pergola costs anywhere from $30 to $60 per square foot, including materials and installation. Essentially, the bigger your pergola, the more you can expect to pay.
| Pergola Dimensions | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10x4 | $1,200–$2,400 |
| 10x10 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| 11x11 | $3,600–$7,300 |
| 12x12 | $4,300–$8,600 |
| 12x18 | $6,500–$13,000 |
| 10x14 | $4,200–$8,400 |
| 10x20 | $6,000–$12,000 |
Cost to Build a Pergola by Hour
If you hire a professional to install your pergola, you can expect to spend between $35 and $120 per hour. Large or custom-designed pergolas will likely take more time (and money) to set up. You’ll also pay more in labor if your project is particularly complicated (for example, if you need to build a pergola around a tree).
Cost to Build a Pergola by Material
There are many pergola design styles and building materials. Whether you want an aluminum pergola that requires very little maintenance or a wood pergola that you can paint or stain in virtually any hue imaginable, the material you choose for your pergola affects the cost to install it.
| Material | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | $10–$30 |
| Vinyl | $10–$30 |
| Cedarwood | $25–$35 |
| Redwood | $40–$50 |
Aluminum Pergola
Aluminum is among the least expensive materials used to build pergolas. Aluminum is also a low-maintenance material that stands up well to inclement weather, making it both durable and budget-friendly. It usually costs about $10 to $30 per square foot to install an aluminum pergola.
Vinyl Pergola
Vinyl is another budget-friendly pergola material. Like aluminum, vinyl doesn't chip or fade very easily, so you won't need to stain or repaint it as often as you would with a wood pergola. However, vinyl pergolas don't typically last as long as aluminum pergolas. It generally costs around $10 to $30 per square foot to build a vinyl pergola.
Cedarwood Pergola
Cedarwood pergolas are slightly more expensive than vinyl and aluminum pergolas, typically costing around $25 to $35 per square foot to build. Cedarwood can endure extreme weather, and it's both insect- and rot-resistant, making it one of the best wood options for pergolas. You can also paint or stain cedarwood in virtually any hue, so it's a highly versatile material.
Redwood Pergola
Like cedarwood, redwood pergolas are insect- and rot-resistant, and they are very durable in severe weather. However, they're more expensive than many alternatives, ranging from about $40 to $50 per square foot.
Cost to Build a Pergola by Style
Some pergolas feature retractable roofs, and there are several types of retractable roofs to choose from. The type you choose can significantly affect the price to build it.
| Style | Average Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Manual retractable roof pergola | $10–$30 |
| Automatic louvered pergola | $20–$55 |
| Smart pergola | $60–$65 |
Manual Retractable Roof Pergola
A basic retractable roof pergola allows you to manually open and close the roof if you want to let in more sun or protect yourself from the rain. It typically costs $10 to $30 per square foot to install a manual retractable roof pergola.
Automatic Louvered Pergola
Like manual retractable roof pergolas, automatic louvered pergolas also feature a retractable roof, but it's controlled by an automatic system that allows you to retract the roof using a remote. It costs about $20 to $55 per square foot to install an automatic louvered pergola.
Smart Pergola
Smart pergolas can be programmed to open and close depending on the weather conditions. So if you're sitting outside and it starts to rain, a smart pergola can sense that it's raining and close its own roof automatically.
You can also control smart pergolas through an app on your phone, making them incredibly convenient. These pergolas cost an average of $60 to $65 per square foot.
Pergola Cost vs. Gazebo
The cost difference may help you decide between a pergola and a gazebo.
The average price of a pergola is $4,259, and the average cost of a gazebo is slightly higher at $5,700. That’s because gazebos are completely freestanding structures that also include a deck or base in addition to the roof and pillars present on a pergola.
Cost to Build a Pergola Yourself vs. Hiring a Pro
Buying a DIY pergola kit rather than hiring a pro to install your pergola can definitely save you money since you won't need to pay for labor. Labor costs for pergolas range from $500 to $1,000, but they can be higher if you're building a large, complex, and/or custom pergola.
If you don't hire a local pergola builder, all you need to pay for is the pergola kit, which includes materials and instructions for building the pergola. These kits cost around $600 to $7,500, but they can cost several thousand dollars more depending on the pergola's size, type, and materials.
However, it can be time-consuming and potentially overwhelming for someone with very little construction experience to learn how to build a pergola, so you'll want to factor that in when deciding whether to hire a local pro or go the DIY route.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Kelly Weimert and Taylor Freitas contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many homeowners enjoy the simplicity of a pergola smack dab in the middle of their yard, while others opt to put one in more unconventional places. For instance, you can design a pergola attached to a deck, or even build a pergola around a tree. Or go the classic route and install it onto the exterior wall that’s attached to your patio.
The right pergola material for you depends on several factors, including your budget. Aluminum and vinyl pergolas cost the least, while redwood pergolas cost the most. On the one hand, aluminum and vinyl are more low-maintenance than wood pergolas because they don't chip or fade very easily. However, wood pergolas are highly versatile, allowing you to paint or stain them in just about any color you can imagine. Painting a pergola costs $2 to $5 per square foot, while staining one costs $2 to $4 per square foot.
Yes, pergolas do add value to a home. Depending on where you live, a pergola can deliver between 50% and 80% ROI and may make your home more appealing to potential buyers when you do decide to sell. You’ll get a higher ROI by using stronger and more visually appealing materials and designs.
If you opt for a DIY pergola kit instead of hiring a pro to install your pergola, you can save around $500 to $1,000 or more in labor costs. However, even though DIY pergola kits make the building process easier, they still require a lot of time, energy, and basic construction knowledge. You'll also need one or two other people to help you. So, it's a good idea to weigh the cost and convenience of hiring a pro against the time, energy, and construction skill required to build a pergola yourself.