We hold a Professional Engineer registration and are licensed to practice in a couple of states (currently Florida and Georgia), and we have other firms we can work with if you need a stamp in another state. My locale requires an engineer stamp or certification on construction drawings. We recommend you use pressure-treated or rot-resistant wood species. For example, cedar will likely cost at least twice as much as pressure-treated pine. For example, the total cost of a 10ft × 10ft pergola may be less than a 20ft × 20ft, but the latter will be less expensive per square foot of covered area.Īlso, lumber cost depends on the species. Fittings and fasteners cost more than lumber. You can expect materials to cost anywhere between $5-$25 per square foot of pergola coverage. Lumber prices and component costs vary across time and location. Consider laying patio pavers for a low maintenance floor, adding furniture, a grill, and potted plants.įor more on pergolas, read TOH’s How to Build a Garage Pergola.How much will it cost to build my pergola? Now you can stain, paint, or finish your new pergola to match your home. Use a hammer to pound the beams through the holes. Use a ½-inch drill bit to pre-drill a top and bottom hole in the center of each post. Once all the rafters are in place, permanently secure the beams with 8-inch galvanized bolts. Then, one by one, fasten each in place with two 5-inch galvanized drive screws at each end. Mark rafter positions in case they get shifted while you work. Measure to make sure the overhang of each rafter is the same all the way around. Next, set each rafter in place on edge on top of the beams spaced 1-foot apart on-center with the end rafters over the support posts. Attach the other three beams in the same way, using a level to check for evenness at the top. Then temporarily fix a beam to the outer side of the posts at each end with two 4-inch screws. Set each 2-by-8 board on edge on top of the posts, with an equal distance of overhang at each end. Step 4: Installing the Beams and Raftersīefore adding your support beams, use a 2×4 and level to make sure all the posts are the exact same height. To create a decorative look on the end of the boards, draw a design on the wood with a pencil and cut with a jigsaw. Using a circular saw, cut your four 2-by-8 support beams and nine 2-by-6 rafters to the desired length. You need two support beams on each end of the pergola. The support beams attach to the posts and carry the load of the structure. Step 3: Prepare Support Beams and Rafters Use a shovel to stir the concrete as you pour to work up any air bubbles. Don’t fill it to the top as it expands as it dries. Mix fast-drying cement in a wheelbarrow according to the manufacturer’s directions, and pour it into the holes to within an inch of the surface. Brace with a 2×4 by nailing one end to the post and securing the free end with a stake driven into the ground. With someone holding the post upright, check for plumb with a level. If not, adjust accordingly.ĭig post holes nine inches in diameter using a clamshell digger or power auger, or shovel the required depth for your area. If square, both measurements will be exactly the same. Then measure diagonally in both directions. Mark the corners with brightly colored spray paint. Measure a 6-by-8 foot rectangle in your chosen location. Step 2: Setting the Postsīefore digging, consult with your local utility company to make sure you aren’t going to dig into power, gas, or cable lines. When choosing the location, keep in mind your pergola will have overhangs of about 18-20 inches past the support posts, so account for overhangs when placing a pergola near your home or other structures. Save the removed soil to use elsewhere around your property. If you don’t have a level area, grade the area by removing soil. Step 1: Choose a LocationĬhoose a flat level area of your yard. Steps for Building a Pergolaįollow these instructions to construct a simple 6-by-8-foot DIY wooden pergola in your backyard. Ask about permits and local codes, particularly the depth required for setting your posts. Vines like wisteria, honeysuckle, and jasmine provide additional shade on hot summer days.Īlways check with your homeowners association and your county’s building department before erecting any structure in your yard. Pergolas come in all shapes and sizes and help to define an outdoor space, often for backyard entertaining. Let’s visit awhile.” It includes vertical posts supporting a lattice of crossbeams that provide limited shade. Typically found in gardens and backyards, a pergola is a structure that says, “Sit here.
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