Pergola cost per square foot
| Type of pergola | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab kit, installed | $10–$40 | A pre-cut kit, assembled on site |
| Custom wood pergola | $30–$65 | Built from lumber to fit your space |
| Louvered roof, manual | $45–$110 | Adjustable slats you turn by hand; priced by one guide only |
| Louvered roof, motorized | $55–$125 | Adjustable slats on a motor; priced by one guide only |
Only HomeGuide and Angi publish current installed prices, and Angi gives a single overall range of $30 to $60 per square foot, so the kit, louvered and motorized prices rest on HomeGuide alone. Angi puts the national average at $4,253, typically $2,118 to $6,433. Forbes Home puts the average at $5,000 and a 16 by 12 ft pergola at $1,920 to $11,520, and a louvered roof at about $90 per square foot, in line with ours.
Cost by size
| Size | Prefab kit | Custom wood | Louvered, manual | Louvered, motorized |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 by 8 ft (64 sq ft) | $640–$2,560 | $1,920–$4,160 | $2,880–$7,040 | $3,520–$8,000 |
| 10 by 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $1,000–$4,000 | $3,000–$6,500 | $4,500–$11,000 | $5,500–$12,500 |
| 12 by 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $1,440–$5,760 | $4,320–$9,360 | $6,480–$15,840 | $7,920–$18,000 |
| 12 by 16 ft (192 sq ft) | $1,920–$7,680 | $5,760–$12,480 | $8,640–$21,120 | $10,560–$24,000 |
| 16 by 16 ft (256 sq ft) | $2,560–$10,240 | $7,680–$16,640 | $11,520–$28,160 | $14,080–$32,000 |
| 20 by 20 ft (400 sq ft) | $4,000–$16,000 | $12,000–$26,000 | $18,000–$44,000 | $22,000–$50,000 |
What changes the price
- Kit or custom. A custom pergola costs two to three times a prefab kit.
- Roof. An open top is cheapest, and a louvered roof, manual or motorized, costs far more.
- Size. The total is the per-square-foot price times the area.
- Material. Aluminum and vinyl cost less per square foot than cedar, pine or redwood.
- The ground. A new slab, or leveling an uneven yard, is an extra.
- Power and light. Outlets and fixtures are priced one at a time.
- Where you live. The calculator adjusts the labor share for your state's carpenter wages.
Extras to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab underneath | $5–$10 per sq ft | No patio or deck underneath |
| Leveling an uneven yard | $1–$2 per sq ft | A sloped site |
| Staining or painting | $2–$6 per sq ft | Unfinished wood |
| One light fixture | $80–$300 | Each fixture |
| One outdoor outlet | $180–$350 | Each outlet |
| Permit | $50–$500 | Where one is required |
| Removing an old pergola | $150–$700 | Replacing an existing one |
A pergola often goes over a patio: see concrete patio cost or paver installation cost. If it sits on a deck, see deck repair cost. Power for lights and outlets may mean checking your electrical panel. A fence for privacy is covered by fence installation cost, and shade trees by tree removal cost.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price for a kit or a custom build, and what material is it?
- Does the price include the footings, a slab and assembly?
- Is the pergola attached to the house or freestanding, and does that need a permit?
- How are lights, fans and outlets wired, and who does the electrical work?
- Will the wood be stained or sealed, and how often does it need redoing?
Methodology and sources
We price each type of pergola from published guides, take the middle of their lows, midpoints and highs, and adjust the labor share for your state's wages. Forbes Home is used as an independent cross-check. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeGuide: pergola cost — kit and custom prices, roof types, slab, lighting, permits
- Angi: pergola cost — national average, price per square foot, labor share, permits
- Forbes Home: pergola cost — used as an independent cross-check
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2031, Carpenters) — state labor index
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide |
|
| Angi |
|
Common questions about pergola costs
How much does pergola cost?
A typical job (12 by 12 ft, custom wood) comes to about $6,480 nationally, within a range of $4,320 to $9,360. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
What is the pergola cost per square foot?
About $10–$40 per sq ft for a prefab kit, $30–$65 for a custom wood pergola, $45–$110 for a manual louvered roof and $55–$125 for a motorized one.
How much does a 12 by 12 ft pergola cost?
A 144 sq ft pergola costs about $1,440–$5,760 as a kit and $4,320–$9,360 custom. HomeGuide puts the same size at $1,450 to $5,750 as a kit and $4,300 to $9,350 custom.
How much does a 10 by 10 ft pergola cost?
A 100 sq ft pergola costs about $1,000–$4,000 as a kit and $3,000–$6,500 custom. Angi puts a typical 100 sq ft pergola at $3,000 to $6,000.
Is a pergola kit cheaper than a custom pergola?
Yes. HomeGuide says a custom pergola costs two to three times a prefab kit.
How much does a louvered pergola cost?
A 144 sq ft pergola with a manual louvered roof costs about $6,480–$15,840, and a motorized one $7,920–$18,000. Angi lists a motorized pergola as an add-on at $13,700.
Do I need a permit to build a pergola?
Often not, but check with your local building department. Angi puts the permit at $50 to $500 when one is required.
How much does a concrete slab under a pergola cost?
About $5–$10 per sq ft, or $5,040–$10,800 for a 144 sq ft custom pergola with a new slab.
How much of the cost is labor?
Angi puts labor at about 20% of the total. Materials are most of the price, which is why the calculator treats only a small share as labor.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 2 published cost pages from 2 publishers, last checked Oct 9, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 2 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.