What it Needs to Make a Custom Pergola

A custom pergola is a structure that won't provide shelter from wind or rain, and is only marginally better when it comes to the midday sun. So, why build it? Because in the absence of walls and a roof, a pergola defines an outdoor space without constraining it. It's a unique architectural blend that places you both inside and out at the same time.

1. Select the site for the pergola and mark the placement of the four posts. Use a post-hole digger or two-person auger to dig holes to a depth of 24" and width of 9". Add a few inches of gravel to the bottom of the holes for drainage. Insert 4" x 4" posts in holes. Ensure the posts are level and plumb. Attach temporary 2" x 4" bracing to hold in place. Mix fast-drying cement according to the manufacturer's directions and pour into holes. Let cure for 24 hours.

2. Cut joist beams from 2" x 10" boards to span the pergola posts. To create a decorative look on the end of the joist beams, draw a straight or curved design on the wood and cut along the line with a jigsaw. Temporarily clamp in place while holes are drilled through the beams and posts. Attach the beams to the posts using 3" lag bolts.

3. Cut the stringers from 2" x 6" boards to span and overhang the joist beams. To create a decorative look on the end of the stringers, draw a straight or curved design on the wood and cut along the line with a jigsaw. Evenly space the stringers perpendicular to the beams and toenail in place using 3" galvanized deck screws.

Adding a custom pergola to your deck, over an outdoor kitchen, a fireplace or near a pool provides several benefits. It can provide better shade, design an outdoor living room, and serve as easy place to hang plant or train vines. These wooden structures are becoming popular among homeowners who want to improve the aesthetic value of their yard and improve the function of their deck.

You have two options when it comes to tackling this kind of deck addition: Hire a professional or DIY. Both come with a cost, and whether that price to install the pergola is worth it depends on several factors.

Because pergolas are often built over existing decks or other fixtures such as hot tubs, some homeowners choose to tackle the project on their own. Many retail hardware stores now offer DIY pergola kits in standard sizes, for example 10 feet by 10 feet. Expect to pay around $1,500 for a 10-by-10 vinyl pergola kit, and closer to $2,000 for a 12-foot-by-12-foot model.

Attempting a DIY installation requires at least two people with some degree of handyman skill, along with tools like drills, ladders, a level and measuring tape. To safely install a pergola, you'll also need some pressure-treated wood or concrete to act as a stable base, and if you're assembling the unit on an existing deck, you'll want bolt-down brackets.

If you choose to design and build your own pergola, you'll need to purchase posts, boards, screws and all additional hardware needed. On average, a from-the-ground-up DIY job will cost $3,100 for a wooden pergola.

Your other option is to hire a professional. This is a good idea if you want a custom pergola design, such as one with curves or multiple levels. If you want to install lighting, a stereo system or any other kind of electronics, don't attempt to DIY.