{
  "slug": "pergola-cost",
  "title": "Pergola Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Pergola Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pergola-cost",
  "summary": "Framing material, footings, roof shade option, and labor for a backyard pergola.",
  "description": "Pergola pricing depends heavily on the framing material — pressure-treated pine, cedar, vinyl, and aluminum all carry very different per-square-foot costs — plus footing type, height, and whether you add a retractable canopy or louvered roof panel for real shade instead of open lattice. This calculator prices the structure by square footage of coverage using a material rate that already reflects post size and beam spans for a standard 8-10 foot pergola height, then adds concrete footings priced per post and an optional shade upgrade allowance for canopy fabric or aluminum louvers. 2026 US national averages run about $18-$35 per square foot installed for a pressure-treated wood pergola, $35-$55 for cedar or vinyl, and $55-$90+ per square foot for aluminum louvered pergolas with motorized shade panels. Labor is typically 35-45% of the total for a straightforward kit install and rises for custom on-site framing. Footings vary by frost depth requirements in your area — cold climates need deeper footings than the national default assumes, so confirm local frost-line depth with your contractor before finalizing post spacing and footing cost.",
  "formula": "Total = (Sq Ft × Material Rate) + (Post Count × Footing Cost) + Shade Upgrade Allowance + Labor.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=pergola-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "sqft",
      "label": "Pergola coverage area",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 200,
      "unit": "sq ft",
      "min": 20,
      "max": 800
    },
    {
      "id": "materialRate",
      "label": "Framing material",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "22",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "22",
          "label": "Pressure-treated pine — $22/sq ft"
        },
        {
          "value": "42",
          "label": "Cedar or redwood — $42/sq ft"
        },
        {
          "value": "48",
          "label": "Vinyl — $48/sq ft"
        },
        {
          "value": "70",
          "label": "Aluminum louvered — $70/sq ft"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "postCount",
      "label": "Number of support posts",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 6,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 4,
      "max": 16
    },
    {
      "id": "footingCost",
      "label": "Concrete footing cost per post",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 175,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 75,
      "max": 500
    },
    {
      "id": "shadeUpgrade",
      "label": "Retractable canopy / louver upgrade",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 0,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 8000
    },
    {
      "id": "laborPct",
      "label": "Labor share of material cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 40,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 80
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "totalCost",
      "label": "Total pergola cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "materialCost",
      "label": "Framing material cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "laborCost",
      "label": "Installation labor",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "perSqft",
      "label": "All-in cost per sq ft",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Pergola coverage area: 200 sq ft",
      "Framing material: Pressure-treated pine — $22/sq ft",
      "Number of support posts: 6",
      "Concrete footing cost per post: 175 $",
      "Retractable canopy / louver upgrade: 0 $",
      "Labor share of material cost: 40 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Total pergola cost: $7,210",
      "Framing material cost: $4,400",
      "Installation labor: $1,760",
      "All-in cost per sq ft: $36.05"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter pergola coverage area (sq ft).",
      "Enter framing material.",
      "Enter number of support posts.",
      "Enter concrete footing cost per post ($).",
      "Enter retractable canopy / louver upgrade ($).",
      "Enter labor share of material cost (%).",
      "Read your total pergola cost on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 120,
        "materialRate": "22",
        "postCount": 4,
        "footingCost": 100,
        "shadeUpgrade": 0,
        "laborPct": 25
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 200,
        "materialRate": "22",
        "postCount": 6,
        "footingCost": 175,
        "shadeUpgrade": 0,
        "laborPct": 40
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 320,
        "materialRate": "22",
        "postCount": 10,
        "footingCost": 275,
        "shadeUpgrade": 0,
        "laborPct": 65
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why is aluminum so much more expensive than wood?",
      "a": "Aluminum louvered pergolas include motorized or manually adjustable roof panels that provide real rain protection and shade control, plus integrated gutters and often lighting channels — features a wood lattice pergola doesn't have, which is why aluminum runs 2-3x the per-square-foot cost of pressure-treated pine."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do pergola footings need to go below the frost line?",
      "a": "In cold climates, yes — footings that don't extend below the local frost line can heave and crack over winter freeze-thaw cycles, tilting posts out of plumb. Warmer climates with minimal frost depth can often use shallower footings or even surface-mounted post anchors."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much shade does a standard open-lattice pergola actually provide?",
      "a": "An open lattice roof typically blocks only 40-60% of direct sun depending on slat spacing and time of day, which is why many homeowners add a canopy, retractable shade cloth, or polycarbonate panels to get meaningful shade coverage during peak afternoon sun."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is a pergola kit cheaper than a custom-built one?",
      "a": "Yes, typically 20-35% cheaper — pre-cut kits reduce on-site labor hours significantly since posts, beams, and rafters arrive pre-measured, though custom builds allow for non-standard sizes, attached-to-house designs, and matching existing deck materials."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/deck-staining-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/landscape-lighting-cost",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/shed-foundation-cost"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Pergola Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/pergola-cost)"
}