Pergola Cost Calculator
A pergola is the cheapest way to get shade and definition over a deck without the structural weight of a roof. Price swings hugely with material, though: a cedar DIY build and a powder-coated aluminium louvred system over the same footprint can differ fourfold. This prices all of them and shows what you are paying for.
Recommended products for this project
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Outdoor Solid Composite Decking Boards 96"x5.43"x1", Polymer Composite Decking for All Weather Use,Poolside,Backyard,Patio(6 Pcs,Redwood and Maple,21.72sqft)
View on Amazon
Swanson Tool Co PL001M Magnetic Composite Post Level, Yellow, Includes Elastic Loop for Hands-Free Work and 3 Vials for Easy Plumb and Level Reads
View on Amazon
Ready Seal Exterior Wood Stain | Semi-Transparent Oil-Based Formula | Professional Grade Stain and Sealer in One | Ideal for Decks, Fences, Pergolas, Wood Siding & More | 5 Gallon | Natural Cedar
View on Amazon
SUNVIE All-in-One Low Voltage Deck Lights Kit, 8 Pack 5W Low Voltage Landscape Lighting with 60W Transformer 100FT Wire and Connectors, 3000K 12-24V AC/DC LED Deck Step Lights for Fence Post Patio
View on AmazonGet the Smart Decking Calculator app
Estimate decks on the go, save projects, and share with contractors.
Building something else? Try our sister calculators
Smart Fencing Calculator
Estimate fence cost by material and linear footage.
Smart Roofing Calculator
Free roof replacement cost estimates by material.
Smart Drywall Calculator
Android app — drywall sheets, mud, and tape estimates.
Smart Fencing Calculator
Android app — fence cost estimates on the go.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a pergola cost?
- A 12 by 12 ft pergola runs about $1,800 to $3,000 in pressure-treated lumber as a DIY build, $2,800 to $4,700 in cedar, and $8,300 to $14,200 for a louvred aluminium system installed. Contractor labour typically adds $10 to $22 per square foot depending on material. Mounting on new concrete footings adds $1,100 to $2,500 over setting it on an existing deck.
- Is it cheaper to build a pergola or buy a kit?
- Building in place from cedar or pressure-treated lumber is usually 25 to 40 percent cheaper in materials than a comparable kit, but it takes a weekend or two and needs accurate rafter cuts. Kits win on speed, on consistent appearance, and on aluminium and vinyl where you cannot fabricate the parts anyway. For a simple square pergola in wood, building it is the better value.
- Can I put a pergola on my existing deck?
- Usually, with two checks. The posts need to land over a joist, a beam or blocking — not on decking alone — and the connection has to resist uplift, because a pergola behaves like a sail in a storm. Use rated post bases through the decking into the frame. If the deck is elevated and the posts land mid-span, add blocking or a post down to a footing.
- Does a pergola need a permit?
- It depends on size and attachment. Many jurisdictions exempt a freestanding pergola under a set footprint, commonly 100 to 200 square feet, but require a permit once it attaches to the house or exceeds that. Anything with a solid or louvred roof is more likely to count as a structure. One call to the building department settles it.
