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The cost to add a pergola can range from £600 to £10,000, depending on factors like size, material, and design complexity.
Adding a pergola to your garden or home compound can cost anywhere from £300 to over £8,000 in the UK. A pergola offers a pleasant shady place to rest, an outdoor living room, and a style and form to the exterior installation. No matter whether you want to have a place to lounge after work, entertain, or eat outdoors, a pergola can provide such architectural charm with a functional shelter. However, what is the actual price of putting a pergola in the UK in 2025? In this in-depth guide, you will get a breakdown of prices, materials, dimensions, fitting and optional extras, all specific to the UK home builder.
The overall cost will be determined by the pergola type, the materials to be used and the ability to use a professional installer. The most popular types and their average range of prices are:
| Pergola Type | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic DIY Kit (Wood) | £300-£800 |
| Mid-Range Timber Pergola | £1000-£2500 |
| Premium Custom Build Pergola | £3000-£7000+ |
| Aluminium/Metal Pergola | £2000-£6000+ |
| Pergola With Roof System | £2500-£8000+ |
The cheapest one is a self-assembly pergola kit. Such kits normally come with pre-cut timber and fixings. It will require your tools and certain DIY experience to assemble it. If you hire someone to install it, expect to pay an extra £100 to £250.
Such pergolas are more permanent and appealing compared to plain kits. Most of them utilise treated soft or hardwood. A good number of mid-range products include installation. If not, fitting costs can range from £300 to £800, depending on size and complexity.
Tailor-made pergolas are more customizable when it comes to design, and the finishes are superior. The bespoke sizes, quality woods such as oak and additional features such as lighting or seating are included in this price range. Both labour and materials contribute to the higher cost.
Metallic pergolas are contemporary, low-maintenance and sturdy. Basic models with fixed frames start around £2,000. More advanced designs with louvres or LED lighting can cost £5,000 or more. Installation is usually required and can cost £500 or above.
These pergolas are of retractable roof structure, louvres, or canopies installed in-built. They are more shielded against the elements. Higher models could be remotely controlled, lighting or heating. The total price usually includes installation and optional extras.
The cheapest is softwood, e.g. pine or spruce. It is normally treated to prevent moisture and pests; thus is ideal outside. It is economical, even though it requires frequent repairs, and it might not be as long-lasting just like other materials.
Common options are oak, iroko or teak. These woods are self-durable, and they are aesthetic. Nonetheless, pergolas made of hardwood are hefty and usually need an expert professional to install, which increases the expenses.
Aluminium is modern, sleek and resistant to corrosion, which makes it the right choice in the wet climate of the UK. Such pergolas also have optional accessories that include motorised louvres and LED lights.
Vinyl is becoming popular even in the UK, although it remains mostly popular in North America. They are fantastic when it comes to a clean, white look and with low maintenance.
The free-standing buildings need more support pillars and, in some cases, stouter foundations, and this makes it even more costly.
More cost-effective because one side is fixed to a current wall using fewer materials and labour.
Roofing or covering of the pergola increases comfort and also has implications for the ultimate price tag.
Minor ones (about 2x2 metres):
Costs between £800 and £1,500 installed. Perfect for small gardens or patios.
Pergolas of medium size (3x4 metres approximately):
Typically range from £1,500 to £3,500. Appropriate for moderately sized outdoor areas.
Big pergolas ( 4x6 metres and more):
Prices start around £3,500 and can go beyond £8,000, especially with extras.
The more technical the task, the higher the amount you'll have to pay towards skilled labour. The approximate list of the common costs connected with the installation looks as follows:
Basic installation:
For standard pergola assembly without custom features, expect to pay between £500 and £1,000.
Custom construction:
If you're going for a bespoke design or premium materials, labour costs can rise to £1,500 to £3,000, depending on complexity.
Preparations and basics:
If the site needs levelling or concrete footings, this could add £200 to £1,000 to your budget.
Electrical wiring:
Adding outdoor lighting, heaters, or sockets may cost an additional £200 to £1,000, especially if trenching or protective casing is needed.
Keep in mind that labour rates are higher in London and the South East, where tradespeople may charge £150 to £200 per day.
Ready to make your pergola more usable or more elegant? Lots of extras are available. People can do these upgrades to maximise comfort, usability and general look, however, at an additional expense.
Although these features are able to enhance your pergola experience to a great extent, having them must be considered in your overall budget.
In most instances, it will not require any planning permission to erect a pergola as the majority of them are Permitted Development. Nevertheless, some of them should be observed:
If your pergola does not match these standards, you might need planning permission. This may entail such costs as:
Consult with your local planning authority to make sure that you start your project without delay or penalty.
In damp or open places, timber should be given attention to exclude rot, warping and burning by the sun.
Aluminium and steel pergolas are usually less cumbersome to take care of and hence are a good long-term choice, which requires less maintenance.
The costs will be on average 10-20% higher than the national average for homeowners in this area. It is so because it faces higher labour prices, higher-end custom work concentrations and expansion in demand for professional trades.
Prices in the North West and Midlands area are average at best. The costs are kept low as labour will be cheaper and materials will be easily available in most cases.
The cost of installing a pergola in Scotland and Wales is even or just a bit below the average. But in distant or rural areas, the price can be a bit higher because of the difficulties in transportation or a low supply of local installers.
An awning is simply a structure that is attached to your house, but it projects out, thus giving shelter. It is good for patios and sitting. Prices range from £300 to £2,500. The motorised ones have a higher value and are convenient.
Shade sails are fabricated using strong material (fabric) which is stretched between posts or walls. They are perfect to suit a contemporary style. Costs are between £150 and £1,000. They are best during summer, and they might not work well during windy or wet weather.
A pop-up gazebo is a portable, fast service. It is ideal for garden parties or short-term use. Prices start at £100 and can go up to £1,500 for sturdy models. They are not made to be used long-term.
A wooden arbour is a small facility with an open roof and a bench. It gives charm and complements climbing plants. Prices range from £200 to £1,000. It provides scant shade, and it is a good decoration.
A pergola is a worthy addition to your garden or home compound in case you want to create a garden area to not only physically high in the sky, but also to aesthetically portray that prettiness by way of functionality. While costs vary widely, from as low as £300 for a DIY project to over £10,000 for a fully customised pergola area, most UK homeowners spend around £2,000 to £4,000 for a mid-range installed pergola.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.