A pergola is one of the most effective ways to manage plants and decorate your home. Build a pergola and bring a sense of order in your garden. Unearth the ways to properly build a pergola and add functionality to your home.

Hiring a landscaper to build a pergola will cost a lot of money, so it’s much better to make one yourself. It’s going to take some work, but with effort this is a doable project.

Required Tools and Materials

  • Pencil
  • Graph paper
  • Ladder
  • Bolts (galvanized)
  • Pattern (it can be plywood or fiberglass)
  • Drill
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Stakes
  • Shovel
  • Level
  • String
  • Boards (2 x 4 x 12)
  • Boards (2 x 2)

Draw a Sketch

Step one is to draw the pergola on paper. Make it as detailed as possible. You’ll be using this to guide you during the building process. There are also sketches you can download on the Web. Grab one of these and modify the drawing as desired.

Get the Permits

Before you start to build a pergola, obtain all necessary permits. Some towns and cities require permits for digging holes so electrical lines aren’t affected. Call the local authorities to secure whatever safety permits are needed.

Finding the Right Spot

The surface area needs to be as flat as possible. Inspect the site from all sides. Stand in the prospective interior and take a good look. If it’s the right spot, take out the sod. Flatten the ground some more if needed. Use the shovel and level for this task.

Install the Stakes

Place a stake in the middle portion of the pergola. The number of posts you’ll need depends on the pergola’s size. 6 posts are required for a pergola with a diameter of 10 ft.

Fasten a string on the stake. This will denote the inner diameter of the structure. To build a pergola, think of it like a clock. Put stakes in the 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 positions.

Make sure the stakes are aligned properly. That is, 12 to 6, 2 to 8 and 6 to 10 are straight. Dig a hole (8” x 8”) and 18” deep for each stake. There needs to be a straight edge by the circumference mark. Level it and add an 18” concrete footing and a bolt attachment.

Add a Support Post

Set up a 6 x 6” atop one of the footings. Repeat this for all the other footings. Make sure that it is level.

Add the Top Beams

With the graph paper, make the beams. The interior should be 10 in. in diameter (when you build a pergola, this size may vary). Cut six wood pieces to make the curve shapes. You can use the 2 x 12 boards to make these beams. Climb a ladder and put the beams in place.
Secure it with bolts and screws.

Get a 2 x 4 and nail on two opposing footings. Place this at the front of the structure. Refer to your graph paper to determine the rafters you have to put in place.

You can now put the plants around it. Arrange the plants as indicated in your sketches.

One final note: always use top quality wood when you build a pergola. The right materials will ensure the structure will last a long time.