e.g. 12
e.g. 12
Pergola Cost Estimate
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Total Cost
$4,032 – $7,200
12x12 cedar / redwood pergola, installed
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
How Much Does a Pergola Cost?
Last updated: 2026-05-20
A pergola costs $3,000-$15,000 installed for most residential projects. Pressure-treated pine is the cheapest option at $15-$30/sq ft installed, cedar runs $28-$50/sq ft, composite is $37-$67/sq ft, aluminum is $47-$84/sq ft, and motorized louvered roofs run $75-$140/sq ft. I have built dozens of pergolas in the PNW where rain and snow load matter. The customers who try to save money on posts (using 4x4 instead of 6x6) always end up calling me back two summers later when the beams start to sag.
Pergola Cost by Material and Size
All prices are installed (materials + labor). Foundation, roof cover, lighting, and electrical are extra. Prices are 2026 national averages.
| Material | 10x10 | 12x12 | 16x16 | 20x20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Pine | $1,500-$3,200 | $2,500-$5,500 | $4,500-$9,500 | $7,000-$14,500 |
| Cedar / Redwood | $2,800-$5,000 | $4,000-$8,500 | $7,200-$13,000 | $11,000-$20,000 |
| Composite / Vinyl | $3,700-$6,700 | $5,500-$10,500 | $9,500-$17,000 | $15,000-$27,000 |
| Aluminum (Fixed) | $4,700-$8,400 | $7,500-$13,500 | $12,000-$21,500 | $18,500-$33,500 |
| Motorized Louvered | $7,500-$14,000 | $12,000-$22,000 | $19,000-$35,000 | $30,000-$56,000 |
Highlighted row = most common residential choice. Cedar is the sweet spot for cost, looks, and durability.
Pergola vs. Other Backyard Structures
Comparing installed cost and use case for the most common outdoor structures.
| Structure | Typical Cost (12x12) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Open Pergola (wood) | $2,500-$8,500 | Partial shade, climbing plants, defined patio |
| Pergola w/ Fabric Canopy | $3,500-$10,500 | Shade + retractable rain cover |
| Pavilion (solid roof) | $6,000-$18,000 | Full weather protection year-round |
| Gazebo (round, solid roof) | $7,000-$20,000 | Decorative focal point, full shade |
| Screened Porch | $15,000-$30,000 | Bug-free outdoor living, 3-season use |
Compare backyard structures with our Deck Cost Calculator for full deck-and-pergola combo estimates.
Pergola Cost & Installation Guide
Pricing by material, foundation options, attached vs. freestanding, and what to know before hiring a pergola contractor.
How Much Does a Pergola Cost in 2026?
A new pergola costs $3,000-$15,000 installed for most residential projects. The wide range is driven by material, size, foundation work, and whether you want a true shade cover or just open beams.
- Pressure-treated pine pergola (12x12): $2,500-$5,500 installed
- Cedar pergola (12x12): $4,000-$8,500 installed
- Composite or vinyl pergola (12x12): $5,500-$10,500 installed
- Aluminum fixed-roof pergola (12x12): $7,500-$13,500 installed
- Motorized louvered pergola (12x12): $12,000-$22,000 installed
A larger 16x16 pergola runs roughly 1.8x the cost of a 12x12 in the same material, since you are paying for more wood, more posts, and slightly more labor for the bigger spans.
Key Takeaways
- PT pine: cheapest, $15-$30/sf installed
- Cedar: classic look, $28-$50/sf installed
- Louvered motorized: premium, $75-$140/sf installed
What Drives Pergola Cost Up or Down?
Material choice and roof cover are the two biggest cost drivers, but several less obvious items can swing a bid by thousands.
- Foundation: Sitting on an existing patio adds zero foundation cost. New post footings run $150-$250 per post. A new concrete slab adds $12-$18/sf.
- Span and post count: Bigger pergolas need beefier beams and more posts. A 16x16 needs 6x6 posts minimum and often double 2x10 beams.
- Roof cover: Open beams cost nothing extra. Fabric canopy adds $8-$12/sf. Polycarbonate panels run $18-$25/sf. Standing-seam metal roofing pushes $22-$35/sf.
- Stain or paint: Add $1-$3/sf for finishing. Cedar can be left raw for a year, but pine should be stained or painted within the first season to prevent rot.
- Permits and engineering: Most jurisdictions require a permit for any pergola attached to a house or larger than 200 sq ft. Budget $150-$600 for permits and possibly a structural stamp.
- Electrical: Lighting and fans need a circuit run. A new GFCI circuit from the panel adds $400-$1,500 depending on distance.
Key Takeaways
- Existing patio = $0 foundation. New footings = $150-$250 per post.
- Roof cover swings price by $8-$35/sf.
- Permits + engineering: $150-$600 in most regions.
Attached vs. Freestanding Pergola: Which Is Cheaper?
An attached pergola is usually 10-20% cheaper because it eliminates two posts and uses the house wall as a ledger. But it also requires more careful flashing and a structural connection that meets code.
- Attached pergola: Ledger bolted to the rim joist or wall framing, two or four posts on the open side. Saves material but transfers load to the house. Needs proper flashing to prevent water intrusion behind the siding.
- Freestanding pergola: Four to six posts on independent footings. More material and labor but no risk of damaging the house. Easier to relocate or expand later.
I've seen attached pergolas leak when the ledger flashing was skipped, which leads to sheathing rot in just a couple of seasons. If you go attached, make sure the contractor knows how to flash a ledger correctly. If they shrug at the question, build freestanding.
Key Takeaways
- Attached: 10-20% cheaper, but flashing is critical
- Freestanding: more material, no risk to house
- Skipping ledger flashing leads to wall rot in 2-3 seasons
Pergola Labor Cost: What Contractors Actually Charge
Labor for a standard pergola runs $1,500-$5,000 on a 12x12 to 16x16 footprint. Most carpenters bid by the project, not by the hour, but if you back into it: a two-person crew spends 3-5 days on a typical wood pergola including footings.
- Pressure-treated pine: $7-$14/sf labor (simple cuts, fewer specialty connections)
- Cedar or redwood: $10-$18/sf labor (premium material, more careful handling, often stained on site)
- Composite or vinyl: $12-$22/sf labor (kit assembly, more brackets and hardware)
- Aluminum or louvered: $12-$30/sf labor (often installed by manufacturer-certified crews)
Demo of an old pergola adds $300-$1,500 depending on size and disposal. Removing old concrete footings runs $50-$150 per footing.
Key Takeaways
- Wood pergola labor: 3-5 days for a 2-person crew
- PT pine labor: $7-$14/sf, cedar: $10-$18/sf
- Demo of existing pergola: $300-$1,500
Common Pergola Cost Mistakes
Underbidding the foundation work and skipping roof cover are the two most common mistakes I see on pergola bids. Either one can make a "fair price" feel like a ripoff after the fact.
- Forgetting the slab option. Most homeowners assume the pergola sits on grass or pavers. Once they see the footings poured, they realize they want a patio too. A new slab adds $1,500-$3,500 on a 12x12.
- Underestimating post size. 4x4 posts are too small for anything bigger than a 10x10 pergola. Use 6x6 posts on 12x12 and up. Customers who insist on 4x4 end up with a wobbly pergola in two years.
- Ignoring snow load. A flat-roofed pergola with metal panels in a snow region needs structural review. I have seen aluminum kits collapse in PNW snowstorms because the rated load was 20 psf and the actual load was 35 psf.
- Not budgeting for stain or paint. Raw pine turns gray and starts to crack inside one season. Always include $300-$800 for finishing on a wood pergola or the customer will be unhappy next summer.
- Skipping electrical conduit before the slab pour. If lighting or a fan might happen later, run conduit before the concrete goes down. Retrofitting power afterward costs 3-4x more.
Key Takeaways
- 4x4 posts fail on pergolas over 10x10 - use 6x6
- Always budget $300-$800 for stain or paint on wood
- Run electrical conduit before slab pour to save 3-4x later
Common Pergola Mistakes That Cost Money
- Using 4x4 posts on anything bigger than 10x10. 4x4 posts flex under beam load and wind. Use 6x6 posts on 12x12 and up. I have replaced sagging pergolas where the original builder cut corners on post size to save $200.
- Skipping the ledger flashing on an attached pergola. If you bolt the pergola ledger to the house without proper flashing, water gets behind the siding and rots the sheathing. Two or three seasons later, the wall repair costs more than the original pergola.
- Forgetting snow load in northern climates. A flat-roofed aluminum pergola rated for 20 psf will collapse in a heavy PNW or Northeast snow. Check the local snow load requirement and either upgrade the structure or plan to clear snow off the roof.
- Not running electrical conduit before the slab pour. Retrofitting power for lighting or a fan after the concrete is down costs 3-4x more. If there is any chance you want power later, run conduit during the rough-in.
- Leaving pine raw or unfinished. Pressure-treated pine looks rough and turns gray within one season if you do not stain it. Plan to stain within the first 60-90 days after install. Budget $300-$800 for finishing on a 12x12.
Related Tools
- Deck Cost Calculator - Estimate deck construction costs in pressure-treated, composite, or PVC.
- Concrete Calculator - Calculate concrete needed for pergola post footings or a new patio slab.
- Post Hole Concrete Calculator - Estimate concrete bags needed per post footing.
- Contractor Markup Calculator - Make sure your pergola bids include the right markup for overhead and profit.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Your Pergola Dimensions
Input the length and width of the pergola in feet. Standard sizes range from 10x10 up to 20x20. The calculator handles any rectangular footprint.
Choose Your Material
Select pressure-treated pine, cedar, composite, aluminum, or motorized louvered. Each material has different per-square-foot pricing for materials and labor based on 2026 rates.
Pick the Foundation Type
Choose between an existing patio (no foundation cost), new concrete post footings, or a new full concrete slab. The calculator estimates post count automatically from the perimeter.
Add a Roof Cover and Extras
Add a fabric canopy, polycarbonate panels, or metal roofing if you want shade or rain protection. Include lighting and a ceiling fan if you want the pergola usable in evenings.
Pergola Cost Formulas
Area = Length x Width
Post Count = max(4, ceil(Perimeter / 10))
Material Cost = Area x $/sq ft (by material)
Labor Cost = Area x labor rate (by material)
Foundation = Post Footings (Posts x $175-$245) OR Slab (Area x $12-$18)
Roof Cover = Area x $8-$30/sf (if added)
Total = Material + Labor + Foundation + Roof + Lighting + FanWhere:
- Material
- = PT pine ($8-$18/sf), cedar ($18-$32/sf), composite ($25-$45/sf), aluminum ($35-$60/sf), louvered ($60-$110/sf)
- Labor
- = Wood: $7-$18/sf, composite: $12-$22/sf, aluminum/louvered: $12-$30/sf
- Foundation
- = Existing patio = $0, new post footings = $175+/post, new slab = $12+/sf
- Roof Cover
- = Fabric canopy: $8/sf, polycarbonate: $18/sf, metal: $22/sf
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 12x12 pergola cost installed?
A 12x12 pergola costs $2,500-$22,000 installed depending on material. Pressure-treated pine runs $2,500-$5,500, cedar runs $4,000-$8,500, composite runs $5,500-$10,500, aluminum runs $7,500-$13,500, and a motorized louvered roof runs $12,000-$22,000. Add $1,500-$3,500 if you also need a new concrete slab underneath.
Is it cheaper to build a pergola yourself or hire a contractor?
Building it yourself can save 30-50% on labor, which is $1,500-$5,000 on a typical wood pergola. A handy DIYer can knock out a 12x12 pressure-treated pine pergola in a weekend for $1,000-$2,000 in materials. The catch: cutting rafter tails, plumbing posts, and getting a level beam at 8 feet in the air is harder than it looks. If you want the pergola square and level for the next 20 years, hire a carpenter who has built them before.
Do I need a permit for a pergola?
Most jurisdictions require a permit for any pergola attached to a house or larger than 200 sq ft. Freestanding pergolas under 200 sq ft often qualify as exempt structures, but the rules vary by city. Permit cost is typically $150-$600. Engineered drawings cost another $500-$1,500 if your municipality requires a structural stamp. Check with your local building department before you order materials.
What is the difference between a pergola and a pavilion?
A pergola has open beams or slats on top and provides partial shade. A pavilion has a solid roof (shingles, metal, or panels) and provides full weather protection. Pavilions cost roughly 1.5x to 2x more than pergolas of the same size because of the additional framing, sheathing, underlayment, and roofing. A pergola with a polycarbonate or metal roof cover ends up looking and functioning like a pavilion at roughly halfway between the two price points.
What material lasts longest for a pergola?
Aluminum lasts 30+ years with almost no maintenance, which is why louvered pergola sales have exploded since 2020. Cedar lasts 15-25 years with regular staining. Pressure-treated pine lasts 10-20 years if stained and maintained. Composite and vinyl typically carry 20-25 year warranties. Untreated softwoods (like raw pine) last only 3-7 years outdoors. For maintenance-free durability, aluminum is the clear winner.
How do contractors price pergola jobs for clients?
Most contractors price pergolas as a fixed-bid project, not by the hour. They calculate materials (lumber, hardware, concrete, finish), labor (typically $7-$30/sq ft depending on material), foundation work, and add 15-30% markup for overhead and profit. A clean, professional pergola bid lists the size, material, foundation, roof cover, and any extras as line items so the homeowner can swap options without renegotiating the entire job. Try EstimationPro free to build a full pergola bid with all line items in minutes.
How long does it take to build a pergola?
A two-person crew typically builds a 12x12 wood pergola in 3-5 days including new footings. A kit pergola (aluminum or composite) goes up in 1-2 days once the foundation is set. Concrete footings need 24-48 hours to cure before you set the posts, which is usually the slowest part of the schedule. Add another day for staining or sealing if the homeowner wants a finished look at handoff.
Should I attach the pergola to my house or build it freestanding?
An attached pergola saves 10-20% on materials because it eliminates two posts and uses the house as a structural ledger. The risk is water intrusion if the ledger flashing is done wrong. I have opened walls behind attached pergolas where the flashing was skipped and found 2-3 seasons of sheathing rot. If the contractor cannot explain the flashing detail, build freestanding. The extra $500-$1,500 in materials is much cheaper than a wall repair.
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