Pergolas

Freestanding or attached, treated pine or hardwood. We work out the approval position before quoting, so the price you get is the price it costs.

QBCC Licence 15535375  •  $10m public liability  •  Master Builders member  •  7-year workmanship warranty  •  4.9★ on Google  •  3,000+ jobs across Brisbane and the Gold Coast

What it costs

Pergola Price (inc GST) What that covers
20 m² freestanding treated pine from $6,600 Our standard worked example: footings, posts, beams and rafters, fixings, tip run, and QBCC Home Warranty Insurance where it applies.

This example assumes the pergola falls inside accepted development and needs no engineering or certifier.

The one thing that moves a pergola price the most is approval. Where the size or siting triggers a building approval, engineering and a certifier add roughly $2,200 to $3,800, which takes a job like the one above to around $9,600 to $11,700.

We establish the approval position before we quote you, not after. That way you get one number and it holds.

What drives the price

  • Whether approval is triggered. The biggest single factor, and the first thing we check.
  • Size and post spacing. Bigger spans need bigger members, which costs more than just more square metres.
  • Freestanding or attached. Attaching to the house means flashing and fixing into the existing structure.
  • Timber choice. Treated pine is the value option. Hardwood costs more and lasts longer with less movement.
  • Ground conditions. Rock, fill or poor access all add hours to the footings.

Pergola, patio or carport?

People often use these words interchangeably, so here is the plain difference.

Pergola

An open framed structure. Shade from the slats, a vine, or a shade sail. Rain still comes through.

You are here

Patio

A roofed structure attached to the house, usually Colorbond. Keeps the rain off. From $12,200.

See patios

Carport

A roofed structure for a vehicle, on a slab. From $16,100.

See carports

Common questions

Do I need council approval for a pergola?

It depends on the size, the height and how close it sits to a boundary. Many small freestanding pergolas fall inside accepted development. We check yours before quoting.

How long does it take to build?

Usually under a week on site. Footings need curing time before the frame goes up, which sets the pace more than the carpentry does.

Can you attach it to the house?

Yes. It needs flashing and proper fixing into the existing structure so it does not become a water problem later.

Can I put a roof on it later?

If you tell us now, we can design the frame to carry one. Retrofitting a roof onto a frame that was never designed for it usually means rebuilding the frame.

Treated pine or hardwood?

Treated pine is the value choice and perfectly good. Hardwood costs more, moves less and lasts longer. Both are fine outdoors here.

Get your pergola priced

Send through rough dimensions and where it goes on the block. We will check the approval position and give you a fixed price.