How Much Does A Pergola Cost? [2024]

A pergola can be a great home improvement, but how much does a pergola cost? Pergola project costing can be difficult, because every pergola is different. They can range in cost from $2000 for a simple pergola to $5000 or more for a large or custom pergola.

Read this guide to costing your pergola project to find out:

• What are the different types of pergolas?
• How much does a pergola cost?
• How much does a metal pergola cost?
• How much does a timber pergola cost?
• How much does pergola roofing cost?
• How much does pergola flooring cost?
• How much does a pergola kit cost?
• How much does a custom made pergola cost?
• How to save on the cost of your pergola project
• Getting quotes from pergola builders

What are the different types of pergolas?

The first thing to do is decide what type of pergola you want and how large you need it to be. Originally, pergolas were detached structures with no roofs. They were covered with vines and provided cool shade in the summer. Since then, the definition of a pergola has expanded and can include a pergola attached to a house or freestanding with a floor and roofing.

There are a variety of pergola options, including:

• Attached to the house or freestanding
• Roofed or traditional structures with timber beams
• Flat/skillion roofs or gabled roofs

When you have an idea of what type of pergola you want, you can start costing your pergola project.

How much does a pergola cost?

One of the most important things to know before starting your project is how much is a pergola going to cost? Pergola cost largely depends on the material it's made from. For example:

• $5 to $10 per square metre for a concrete pergola
• $5 to $25 per square metre for a timber or hardwood pergola
• $10 to $15 per square metre for a stone or brick pergola 
• $20 to $30 per square metre for a metal pergola

A pergola can start around $500, but that's for a basic pergola without a roof or flooring. More realistically, a pergola installation costs from $2000 to $5000 on average, but can go up to $50,000 for a large and elaborate pergola.

How much does a metal pergola cost?

A metal pergola costs between $20 and $30 per square metre to install. Including the cost of materials, expect to pay around:

• $185 per m2 for a flat roof
• $550 per m2 for a gabled roof
• $700 per m2 or more for a more complex design that requires custom work

The price may be higher for Colorbond pergolas, which come in a variety of colours. A metal pergola may not have a traditional look, but when it's properly installed, it can last for a long time and doesn't require sealing every few years like wood does.

How much does a timber pergola cost?

A timber pergola costs between $5 and $25 per square metre to have professionally installed. The overall cost of timber pergolas might be:

• $2250 for a treated pine pergola with no roof
• $2600 for a hardwood pergola with no roof

Closer to $2000, a pergola will probably be made of treated pine and won't have a roof or flooring. Timber pergola kits start from around $2300 with everything you need.

A timber pergola may need replacement timbers from time to time, but if timber is what you want, it can make a beautiful and more traditional pergola for your garden than Colorbond or other metal pergolas.

Most Australians want to have a roof on their pergola and some type of decking or a slab and pavers to flatten the ground. These are extra costs and will add to the cost of a pergola project.

How much does pergola roofing cost?

Pergola roofing materials include polycarbonate, aluminium and thatch roofing. These come at different costs:

• Polycarbonate roofing starts from $38 for a 2.4 metre length or $68 for a 3 metre length
• Colorbond roofing starts from $18 per square metre, but a better choice may be two-sided Colorbond which costs $24 per square metre
• Thatch roofing costs between $14 and $22.50 for a single sheet

Other roofing options include shade sails and retractable awnings. Retractable awnings can be more expensive, but they allow you to let the sun in or provide shade and protection from the rain.

How much does pergola flooring cost?

Pergola flooring can include decking or a slab, which may be made of timber, aluminium or PVC.

Decking ranges in price from:

• $200 per m2 for treated pine decking
• $320 per m2 or more for hardwood decking
• $350 per m2 for composite decking

If you want your pergola on a slab, this will cost between $75 and $100 per m2. This option usually involves pavers too, which can cost $45 to $60 per m2 for concrete pavers or up to $100m2 for travertine, flagstone or granite pavers.

Read more: How much does decking cost?

How much does a pergola kit cost?

Pergola kits are a simple way to build a pergola yourself that also have the advantage of showing you the price upfront. Expect to pay around $2300 to $3800 for a pergola kit, depending on the type of roof you want:

• $2300 to $2600 for a timber pergola kit with no roof
• $2600 to $2900 for a timber pergola kit with a standard Colorbond roof
• $3800 for a timber pergola kit with an insulated Colorbond roof

Kits can be slightly more expensive than building a pergola from scratch, but they save you the cost of hiring a pergola builder to install a pergola for you. If you decide to have a kit professionally installed, a pergola builder can install a kit faster than making a pergola from scratch, which will work out much cheaper.

How much does a custom made pergola cost?

Pergola builders can make almost any design you like, but a custom pergola could cost anywhere from $5000 to $50,000 depending on its size and the complexity of the design.

For example, curved roofing made of timber will cost more than a gable roof, which will cost more than a flat or skillion roof.

How to save on the cost of your pergola project

If your pergola project costing is looking expensive, keep in mind that a pergola doesn't have to be a large structure – it just needs to be large enough to relax in comfortably.

A pergola with even a basic roof is an all season place to relax, revive and restore your senses. All you need is shade and comfortable outdoor furniture to make a pergola a haven worth having. Add a little landscaping and any pergola can be a beautiful addition to the backyard.

A pergola doesn't need walls, but if your property adjoins a neighbouring property, you can install one or two walls for privacy. The walls needn't be expensive and may be slatted or solid depending on the level of privacy you want. Slatted walls allow more air flow, but solid walls provide more privacy.

Getting quotes from pergola builders

Whether you want a pergola built to your exact specifications or you're buying a pergola kit, hiring professionals to install it for you will save you time and effort and avoid problems.

Compare quotes from 3 local builders to find prices in your budget. Check that they are appropriately licensed in your state and ask to see examples of their previous projects so you can be sure they're the right team for your job.

*Costs and prices in this article are indicative and should only be used as a guide. They also vary locally and are subject to market forces.