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A pergola costs $2,000 to $8,000 installed in 2026. Most people pay about $4,000, or $20 to $60 per square foot. Louvered models cost much more. A pergola adds shade to a patio or yard and marks off a space to spend time outside.
What you pay for
The price covers materials, labor, footings or anchors for the posts, and any extras. Extras include lights, screens and an adjustable roof. A simple freestanding wood pergola costs the least. An aluminum pergola with a motorized louvered roof is a different kind of project, at a much higher price.
What changes the price
Material and roof style change the price the most:
- A prefab kit costs $1,450 to $5,750.
- A custom wood pergola costs $3,000 to $9,000.
- Vinyl costs $4,000 to $10,000.
- Aluminum costs $5,000 to $12,000.
- A louvered or motorized pergola costs $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
Wood, vinyl or aluminum?
Wood, either pressure-treated or cedar, costs the least and has a classic look. It needs sealing and can weather over time. Vinyl is in the middle on price and needs little upkeep. Aluminum costs the most up front, but it needs no upkeep and lasts. It’s also the only material that can hold a motorized louvered roof. Choose based on your budget and how much upkeep you want to do.
Is a louvered roof worth it?
A standard pergola gives partial shade that doesn’t change. A louvered pergola has roof slats you can tilt or close, by hand or with a motor. That lets you control sun and rain, so you can use your patio for more of the year. It costs $8,000 to $20,000 or more. It’s worth it if you’re putting serious money into outdoor living.
How to spend less
- Start with a prefab kit. It costs the least.
- Choose pressure-treated wood if the budget is tight and you’ll keep it sealed.
- Skip the motor unless you really want shade you can adjust.
- Build a freestanding pergola on a patio you already have, so you don’t pay for extra concrete slab work.
If money is tight
- Cheapest safe way
- A prefab kit costs $1,450 to $5,750 installed and is the lowest-cost option. For a custom build, pressure-treated wood is cheapest, as long as you keep it sealed.
- What can wait
- Lights, fans, privacy screens and drapes are extras that add cost. Skip a motorized roof unless you really want shade you can adjust.
- Don't skimp on
- The footings or anchors that hold the posts. A freestanding pergola needs four footings, and a large or attached one often needs a permit.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,000 – $6,000 | – |
| Labor | $500 – $4,000 | – |
| Footings or anchors for the posts | $300 – $1,500 | – |
| Extras (lights, screens, adjustable roof slats) | $500 – $8,000 | – |
| Permit | $50 – $400 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab kit | $1,450 – $5,750 | – |
| Custom wood | $3,000 – $9,000 | – |
| Vinyl | $4,000 – $10,000 | – |
| Aluminum | $5,000 – $12,000 | – |
| Louvered or motorized | $8,000 – $20,000+ | – |
What affects the price
- Size Pergolas cost $20 to $60 per square foot, so a bigger one costs more.
- Material Pressure-treated wood (treated to resist rot) costs least. Cedar, vinyl and aluminum cost more and last longer.
- Attaching to the house Attaching a pergola to your house can make the structure simpler. A freestanding one needs four footings.
- Louvered or motorized roof A louvered roof you can adjust, by hand or with a motor, raises the price a lot.
- Extras Lights, fans, privacy screens and drapes add to the cost.
Pergola cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical pergola job costs about $2,300 to $9,400 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $1,700 to $6,800 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,700 – $7,000 |
| Alaska | $2,300 – $9,200 |
| Arizona | $1,900 – $7,600 |
| Arkansas | $1,700 – $6,800 |
| California | $2,200 – $9,000 |
| Colorado | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Connecticut | $2,100 – $8,600 |
| Delaware | $2,000 – $7,800 |
| District of Columbia | $2,200 – $8,600 |
| Florida | $1,800 – $7,300 |
| Georgia | $1,800 – $7,400 |
| Hawaii | $2,300 – $9,400 |
| Idaho | $1,900 – $7,500 |
| Illinois | $2,300 – $9,200 |
| Indiana | $2,000 – $8,100 |
| Iowa | $1,900 – $7,800 |
| Kansas | $1,900 – $7,600 |
| Kentucky | $1,900 – $7,400 |
| Louisiana | $1,800 – $7,200 |
| Maine | $2,000 – $7,800 |
| Maryland | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Massachusetts | $2,300 – $9,200 |
| Michigan | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Minnesota | $2,200 – $8,700 |
| Mississippi | $1,700 – $7,000 |
| Missouri | $2,000 – $8,200 |
| Montana | $2,000 – $7,800 |
| Nebraska | $1,900 – $7,500 |
| Nevada | $2,100 – $8,200 |
| New Hampshire | $2,000 – $7,900 |
| New Jersey | $2,300 – $9,100 |
| New Mexico | $1,800 – $7,400 |
| New York | $2,200 – $8,800 |
| North Carolina | $1,800 – $7,200 |
| North Dakota | $2,000 – $8,100 |
| Ohio | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Oklahoma | $1,800 – $7,300 |
| Oregon | $2,200 – $8,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,000 – $8,100 |
| Rhode Island | $2,100 – $8,300 |
| South Carolina | $1,800 – $7,300 |
| South Dakota | $1,800 – $7,200 |
| Tennessee | $1,800 – $7,400 |
| Texas | $1,800 – $7,300 |
| Utah | $1,900 – $7,500 |
| Vermont | $1,900 – $7,800 |
| Virginia | $1,900 – $7,600 |
| Washington | $2,300 – $9,300 |
| West Virginia | $1,900 – $7,600 |
| Wisconsin | $2,100 – $8,300 |
| Wyoming | $2,000 – $7,900 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does a pergola cost?
- Most pergolas cost $2,000 to $8,000 installed, or $20 to $60 per square foot. About $4,000 is typical. Prefab kits start at about $1,450. Louvered or motorized pergolas cost $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
- What is the cheapest pergola material?
- Pressure-treated wood and prefab kits cost the least. Cedar, vinyl and aluminum cost more, but they need less upkeep and last longer.
- Is a wood or aluminum pergola better?
- Wood costs less, and aluminum needs no upkeep. Wood has a classic look, but it needs staining and can rot. Aluminum costs more, won't warp and can hold a motorized louvered roof.
- Does a pergola add home value?
- Some, but less than main upgrades like a kitchen or siding. A well-built pergola makes a yard nicer to use and a home look better from the street, which helps it show well to buyers.
- Do I need a permit for a pergola?
- Often, yes, especially for a large pergola or one attached to the house. Check your local rules on size, setbacks (how far it must sit from your property line) and attaching it to the house.
- Are louvered pergolas worth it?
- They can be, if you want control over sun and rain. The adjustable roof lets you use your yard for more of the year. It costs a lot, though: $8,000 to $20,000 or more.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources: