Pergola Cost Estimator
A pergola is a small structure with real structural requirements — the footings and the connections are the job.
Drop plan sheets or site photos
Up to 6 files — they're read together as one job
Ballpark for planning and bid-checking — not a quote. Confirm against local supplier and subcontractor pricing.
What a complete pergola estimate covers
- Footingseach
- Postseach
- BeamsLF
- Rafters / purlinseach
- Hardware and connectorslot
- Ledger attachment (if attached)LF
- Stain / finishSF
- Permit and inspectionlot
Scope most often left out
These are the lines that turn a won bid into a loss. Price them or exclude them in writing — never assume them.
- Footing depth and engineering for wind uplift
- Ledger attachment and flashing when the pergola ties to the house
- Rafter end cuts, which are per-piece detail labour
- Finishing, which is easier before assembly and often forgotten
- Permits — many jurisdictions require them for attached structures
The footings are the structure
A pergola is a large sail. Uplift and lateral load make footing depth, post bases and connection hardware the parts that matter, and they are also the parts a client never sees or values. Price them properly regardless — this is where a cheap competing bid is usually cutting.
Attached and freestanding are different jobs
An attached pergola needs a ledger, correct flashing into the wall assembly, and often a permit. A freestanding one needs four footings and no wall penetration. Confirm which one you are pricing before anything else.
FAQ
How do you estimate a pergola?
Count footings and posts, take beams by linear foot and rafters by piece, and add hardware, finishing and permits. If it attaches to the house, add the ledger and flashing. The estimator does this from your uploads or description.
Does a pergola need a permit?
Often, particularly when attached to the house or above a certain size. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, and attached structures are more likely to require review for the wall connection.
What separates a cheap pergola bid from a sound one?
Usually the footings and connection hardware. Uplift and lateral loads are real, and those components are invisible to the client — which is exactly why they are the first thing an underpriced bid leaves out.
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