How Much Does it Cost to Build an Arbor, Pergola or Trellis?

Build an Arbor, Pergola or Trellis Costs
Average reported costs
$3,321
based on 269 cost profiles
Most homeowners
spent between
$2,008 - $4,833
Low cost
$900
High cost
$7,708
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Building an arbor, pergola or trellis is a great way to add a shaded sitting area to your outdoor space. It gets your family to utilize the outdoors more and can be an attractive addition to your backyard. It's smart to work with a professional for a project like this. He or she will be able to come up with ideas you might not have thought of and will ensure a quick and reliable construction.

Type of Structure

Many people don't know the difference between an arbor, pergola or trellis. An arbor is a structure covered by interlacing strips, known as latticework, that gives shade to a seating area or for an entryway to a garden or yard. A pergola is a larger space than an arbor and four open walls with a lattice roof. A trellis is a flat, latticed surface used on the sides of an arbor or pergola. A trellis can also form its own structure. You might have seen these with climbing plants growing up or around the lattice.

Size of Structure

The more square footage you intend to cover with your structure, the more the cost will be. Bigger spaces require more materials and more time to build, all of which will increase cost.
The size difference puts pergolas on the higher end of the range for the cost. Arbors are on the lower end. Trellises can be bought in prefabricated kits, which can help to bring the cost down compared to doing a custom build. You can also buy panels and cut them down to size for what you need.

Construction Materials

The type of wood you choose for your project will impact the cost to build an arbor, pergola or trellis. There is a wide spectrum of woods to choose from, and there is generally something for every budget. Make sure to talk to a professional about which wood species will work best for your conditions.

Concrete Footing

The beams holding up the pergola or arbor are often set in concrete to ensure stability. This actually doesn't add too much to the cost to build an arbor, pergola or trellis but can vastly increase the stability and safety of the structure.

Design Details

If you decide to paint or stain, then that will also increase the cost. This is pretty commonly done both for looks but also to seal against moisture and weather conditions.

 

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