Pergolas have a lot to offer for any property. They’re beautiful and functional, adding definition and detail to an area, while also providing some much-needed shade on sunny days. When the time comes to purchase a pergola for your home, you have two basic options: Either you purchase a ready-made kit to be assembled at your home by yourself or a contractor, or you can have a custom pergola built from scratch.
Custom pergolas can be constructed from many different materials. They can also be built in a range of different sizes and styles, which can all impact the total cost.
The average cost range to build a custom pergola is between $2,100 and $5,900, with most homeowners spending around $3,500 on a 10’ x 10’ pergola made of cedar in a traditional design.
It’s possible to build a much less expensive pergola using pine, free internet plans and doing it yourself for around $2,000, and it’s also possible to build a luxury pergola in a contemporary style using exotic hardwoods for as much as $10,000.
As expected, adjusting the size of a pergola will have a direct impact on costs. A 10’ x 4’ pergola will typically range from $1,200 to $2,400. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a 10’ x 20’ pergola will put a $6,000 to $12,000 dent in your wallet.
For any additional sizes, you should expect to pay around $30 to $60 per square foot, with an average of $45 per square foot.
One of the biggest driving factors behind your custom pergola is going to be the materials you use. Some materials are easier to work with than others, while some materials can be prohibitively expensive. In addition, each material will have other pros and cons, such as longevity, looks and maintenance.
When it comes to a custom pergola, you have two choices. You can have a company custom build you one, ship you the pieces and have it assembled on-site, or you can get or design plans and have it built right on your property using wood. In the former case, you will have a lot more material choices, depending on the company you contract with. If you have it done by a carpenter or contractor on-site, you’re likely choosing a wood species.
There are seven different materials that are typically used in building a pergola. Below are the average costs per square foot for each material:
| Material | Average Cost Per Square Foot |
| Alumawood | $10 – $20/sq.ft. |
| Aluminum and vinyl | $10 – $30/sq.ft. |
| Pine | $20 – $30/sq.ft. |
| Cedar | $25 – $35/sq.ft. |
| Redwood | $40 – $50/sq.ft. |
| Exotic hardwoods (Ipe, teak, etc) | $55 – $100/sq.ft. |
| Fiberglass | $60 – $70/sq.ft. |
It’s important to keep in mind that when choosing your material that it’s not just the cost that you need to consider. Some materials can be difficult to work with, which will increase your labor costs. Others are easy to work with but may be high maintenance in the long-term.
Finally, if you are choosing to have a custom pergola built and shipped to you for installation, not every company will have every material, so your choices may be restricted. You may also be restricted in terms of size or style, depending on the material you ultimately choose.
Included in the cost of your custom pergola is the labor. When you contract with a large pergola manufacturer for a custom pergola, the labor is included in the total cost of your pergola. You may also have additional costs for assembly, depending on whether the company you work with is local and whether they do the assembly themselves or not. Many will contract that out, or specify that you need to find your own assembly labor.
If you have your pergola built on-site, you will have different labor costs and rates. You’ll be working with a carpenter, most likely. The average cost per hour for carpenters is around $70/hour. It’s not uncommon for a pergola to cost up to $1,600 in labor fees in addition to any material fees.
If you work with a pergola company for a custom design, they will likely have some guidelines for you to work with. They may also have some plans or designs that you can use and tweak to get the right design, size and features for your home.
If you are having the pergola built on-site, then you will need to have plans. Some carpenters that specialize in pergolas may work with you to draw up custom plans. If that is the case, you will probably have additional fees for their time.
It’s also possible to find free plans or to purchase plans online. You and your builder can then make any modifications necessary to adjust and complete the pergola to your specifications.
Keep in mind that there are several variations available, from modern to traditional. Your pergola can also be freestanding or attached to your home. All of these small decisions can impact the total cost that you’ll pay for your finished 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 it’s 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.
Videos showing our installation process, from beginning to end.
How the blueprints for our pergolas get made.
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Over the years, it's common to find some questions that come up again and again. Scroll through the question and answer bank on the right, and if your questions aren't answered by the end, you can get in touch using the phone number below!
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The dimensions of a Heartland Pergola refer to the width and depth of the pergola's roof. The pergola roof will include the beams and rafters, and on a traditional style pergola, will extend past the posts of your pergola.
For an example, a 14' x 14' pergola means that the overhead roof dimensions are 14' x 14'.
To figure out post spacing you will want to look at the specific CAD drawing for the pergola size you are looking for. Noting that a typical traditional style pergola will be built with the posts inset one foot from the end of your beams. Modern pergolas will NOT have an overhang.
Tip while planning - if your patio space is 14' x 14', most homeowners will opt to go a size larger on a Traditional Style Pergola so that the overhang of the pergola roof extends past the edge of your patio, rather than stopping even with it. A 14' x 14' patio would benefit from installing a 16' x 16' pergola (or greater) for optimum sun coverage.
We have the best of both worlds!
Aluminum base structure for extreme durability and strength paired with a vinyl exterior that makes your pergola maintenance super easy!
Many vinyl pergolas on the market are going to have no reinforcement or internal reinforcement by wood. Over time, that wood will rot, warp and sag. The aluminum inserts of Heartland Pergolas ensure that is never an issue for your pergola. It's a solid structure, easy to maintain and will last you for decades! We are so confidant in that fact that we offer a Lifetime Warranty.
You can purchase any of our pergola kits or eyebrow pergolas online through our website or order by calling in (563-345-6745) and talking to our sales team. If you are ordering a pergola with customizations outside of our pergola design tool, custom sizes or configurations, you will want to purchase by speaking with our team over the phone/email.
Upon ordering, either via our website or through our sales staff you will receive a docusign document emailed to you detailing all your options and pergola specs to sign off on before we send your pergola to fabrication.
Due to the custom nature of our product, we cannot accept returns. All pergola kits are made to order specifically for your space and requirements. We recommend you work directly with our team to discuss all potential site, climate, and installation requirements before you make your purchase to ensure that you get exactly the materials that you need.
We want you to be happy with your purchase, if there is a problem just reach out and we will work with you to make it right.
It doesn’t happen often but if you do find something missing or damaged, we will replace it immediately.
For all orders in the continental US, shipping is already included!
If you live outside of the continental US and would like a quote on shipping, please contact Elizabeth for a shipping quote!
Each kit will come with the corresponding instruction manual for that pergola. It will list step-by-step how to install, what tools are needed and show diagrams for the installation. You will also get your related CAD drawing for your pergola as well.
You are welcome to download the digital version of our instruction manuals ahead of time if you want to take a look at the process first!
We also have installation videos available 24/7 playable from YouTube Play List. Our Video Installation series will break down each step into a short video so you can see exactly how each step is completed.
VINYL AND ALUMINUM STRUCTURES LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein, Heartland Pergolas warrants its vinyl structures to be free from defective workmanship and materials and, when subject to normal and proper use, against surface peeling, rot, structural damage from termites, splitting, flaking, rusting, and blistering, abnormal weathering or abnormal discoloration.
We have many customers who go the DIY route to install their pergola! If you have some basic building experience and knowledge with some simple tools, you can build a pergola.
We provide you with written installation instructions, video tutorials online, and the best customer service you can get!
You can watch our videos ahead of time to see if you feel comfortable working with the tools and materials needed to build your pergola. Our Installation Videos are divided up into short step-by-step clips that are to the point and show you exactly how each part is completed.
General guidelines for DIYers:
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