How Much Does a Pergola Cost?

I don’t know, how much does a vacation cost?

This is a question we get a lot.  I mean a lot.  It’s sensible to address cost upfront, you’re comparing options and weighing the value of those options.  But, as with construction, or vacation planning, or flowers, or pretty much anything, the cost of a pergola depends.

We ask a lot of questions in response to this question.  Where’s your project?  What are the dimensions?  What is the site like today?  Is it currently under construction, or being planned?  Are you paying in Dollars or Bitcoin, because we don’t accept Bitcoin.  Will the pergola be installed on a rooftop in Miami or a backyard in Atlanta?  Geography matters because it dictates structural requirements and code compliance. 

Did you know Charleston is in a seismic zone?  That means we get earthquakes.  A lot of people don’t know that.

The point is, there’s a lot to consider before we can address cost.  Most importantly, how do you want the pergola to function?  This is the best place to start.

Along with functionality, material is a critical consideration as well.  In the coastal Southeast, most people would consider a humidity-resistant lumber like Cedar as a natural material choice.  Makes sense, although we’ve seen more than a few cedar pergolas in the Carolinas decimated by Carpenter Bees.  You know what Carpenter Bees don’t eat?  Azek (see photo above).  They also don’t eat aluminum.  If you opt for an aluminum pergola, you want to consider the durability of the finish and the treatment of any fastener penetrations.  Is there any cutting or drilling on site, or is everything factory machined and then powder coated?  The former might appear cheaper, but not in 4 years when the finish corrodes and the louvers sound like a Boeing Dreamliner taking off when operating. The good folks at Renson Outdoor have that figured out.

This is all to say, if you’re shopping around for pricing on pergolas, start by understanding what you want out of it, even if you’re not sure what’s out there.  And if you’re just looking to learn more about what’s out there and curious about cost, give us a call or swing by our showroom and see for yourself.