Pergola pricing in the UK varies dramatically - from a few hundred pounds for a DIY kit to £25,000+ for premium louvered systems. Understanding what drives these costs helps you budget realistically and avoid overpaying.
This guide breaks down pergola costs by material, style, and installation method, with real UK pricing for 2026.
Quick Price Summary
| Pergola Type | DIY/Kit | Installed |
|---|---|---|
| Basic timber (softwood) | £200-800 | £1,500-3,500 |
| Premium timber (hardwood) | £800-2,500 | £3,000-8,000 |
| Aluminium (fixed roof) | £1,500-3,000 | £3,000-7,000 |
| Aluminium (louvered/basic) | £1,400-2,500 | £4,000-8,000 |
| Aluminium (louvered/premium) | N/A | £8,000-25,000+ |
Timber Pergola Costs
Softwood Pergolas
Softwood (typically pressure-treated pine or spruce) is the most affordable pergola material.
DIY Kit Costs:
- Small (2x2m): £200-400
- Medium (3x3m): £350-600
- Large (4x4m): £500-900
Professional Installation:
- Small (2x2m): £1,500-2,500
- Medium (3x3m): £2,000-3,500
- Large (4x4m): £3,000-4,500
What affects softwood pergola prices:
- Timber grade and treatment quality
- Post thickness (90mm vs 120mm)
- Rafter spacing and style
- Decorative details
- Ground conditions (concrete vs soft ground)
Lifespan: 10-20 years with annual maintenance
Hardwood Pergolas
Hardwood (oak, cedar, iroko) costs significantly more but lasts longer and looks substantially better.
DIY Kit/Materials:
- Small (2x2m): £800-1,500
- Medium (3x3m): £1,200-2,500
- Large (4x4m): £2,000-4,000
Professional Installation (bespoke):
- Small (2x2m): £3,000-5,000
- Medium (3x3m): £4,500-7,000
- Large (4x4m): £6,000-10,000+
What affects hardwood pergola prices:
- Timber species (oak is premium, cedar is mid-range)
- Seasoned vs green oak
- Joint complexity (mortise and tenon vs bolted)
- Custom design work
- Craftsperson reputation
Lifespan: 25-40+ years with minimal maintenance
Timber Pergola Installation Breakdown
Here’s what makes up a typical £3,000 installed timber pergola:
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Timber and fixings | £800-1,200 |
| Groundworks (post holes, concrete) | £200-400 |
| Labour (2 people, 1-2 days) | £600-900 |
| Delivery | £50-150 |
| Finishing/treatment | £100-200 |
| Total | £1,750-2,850 |
Aluminium Pergola Costs
Fixed Roof Aluminium
Aluminium pergolas with solid or polycarbonate roofs offer modern aesthetics with low maintenance.
Kit Costs:
- Small (2x2m): £1,500-2,500
- Medium (3x3m): £2,000-3,500
- Large (4x4m): £3,000-5,000
Installed Costs:
- Small (2x2m): £3,000-4,500
- Medium (3x3m): £4,000-6,000
- Large (4x4m): £5,500-8,000
Louvered Aluminium Pergolas
Louvered (adjustable roof) pergolas are the premium option, with motorised blades that rotate from open to closed.
Budget Options (manual or basic motorised):
- Agadon, unbranded imports
- 3x3m installed: £3,000-5,000
- Quality concerns at lower prices
Mid-Range Options:
- PergoSTET, Casa Maria, similar
- 3x3m installed: £5,000-8,000
- Motorised operation, decent build quality
Premium Options:
- SUNS Lifestyle, Renson, similar
- 3x3m installed: £10,000-18,000
- Superior build, extensive features, long warranties
Ultra-Premium:
- Renson Camargue with options
- 3x3m installed: £15,000-25,000+
- Best-in-class engineering, full customisation
What Drives Louvered Pergola Costs
The price difference between a £4,000 and £20,000 louvered pergola comes from:
Engineering quality:
- Blade precision (affects water sealing)
- Motor quality (noise, reliability, warranty)
- Frame engineering (load capacity, wind rating)
- Drainage integration
Features:
- Manual vs motorised (£500-1,500 difference)
- Integrated LED lighting (£300-800)
- Heating elements (£500-1,500)
- Side screens/glass panels (£1,000-5,000 per side)
- Smart home integration (£200-500)
Brand and warranty:
- 3-year warranty brands: Lower prices
- 10-year warranty brands: Premium prices
- Installation quality varies by brand training
Installation Cost Factors
Several factors affect what you’ll pay for installation:
Ground Conditions
Easy (adds minimal cost):
- Patio/concrete base exists
- Level ground
- Easy access
Moderate (adds £300-800):
- Grass requiring post holes
- Minor levelling needed
- Standard access
Difficult (adds £800-2,000+):
- Sloped ground requiring levelling
- Rocky soil or tree roots
- Restricted access (carry through house)
- Working at height (attached to building)
Electrical Work
For motorised louvered pergolas or integrated lighting:
Basic (lighting only): £200-400 Full (motor + lighting): £400-800 Complex (heating + multiple circuits): £800-1,500
Always use a qualified electrician for outdoor electrical work.
Attachment Type
Freestanding pergolas:
- Four posts, self-supporting
- Easier installation
- Standard pricing
Wall-attached pergolas:
- Two posts plus wall fixings
- Requires structural assessment
- May need building regulations consideration
- Adds £200-500 to installation
DIY vs Professional Installation
When DIY Makes Sense
Good DIY candidates:
- Basic timber kit pergolas
- Flat, accessible ground
- Confident with power tools
- Time available (weekend minimum)
- Willing to accept imperfections
DIY savings: £800-1,500 on a typical timber pergola
When Professional Installation is Worth It
Hire professionals for:
- Aluminium systems (precision critical)
- Louvered pergolas (warranty may require it)
- Electrical integration
- Difficult ground conditions
- Attached to building structures
- You value your time highly
Professional installation ensures:
- Warranty validity (many require professional fitting)
- Level, plumb structure
- Proper drainage
- Correct electrical installation
- Faster completion
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond the pergola itself, consider:
Groundworks:
- Post hole digging: £100-300
- Concrete footings: £150-400
- Drainage solutions: £200-500
Finishing:
- Initial timber treatment: £50-150
- Decorative elements: £100-500
- Furniture to enjoy it: £500-3,000
Ongoing costs:
- Annual timber treatment: £30-80
- Eventual repairs: Budget 5% of cost per year
How to Get the Best Price
For Timber Pergolas
- Get three quotes minimum - Prices vary significantly between installers
- Winter installation - Landscapers are quieter November-February
- Supply your own timber - Buy from builders’ merchants, not garden centres
- Simple design - Elaborate details add labour time
- Combine with other work - If having patio done, add pergola to same project
For Aluminium/Louvered Pergolas
- Authorised dealers only - Grey imports may lack warranty support
- Standard sizes - Custom sizes cost 20-40% more
- Fewer features initially - Lighting can be added later
- Off-season ordering - Some brands offer autumn/winter discounts
- Package deals - Some suppliers bundle accessories at discount
Price vs Value
The cheapest pergola isn’t always the best value. Consider:
A £1,500 softwood pergola needs annual treatment (£50/year) and may need replacement in 15 years. 20-year cost: ~£3,000+
A £5,000 aluminium pergola needs minimal maintenance and lasts 25+ years. 20-year cost: ~£5,000
A £10,000 louvered pergola provides rain shelter, adjustable shade, and extends garden usage year-round. If it adds 100 evening uses per year, that’s £5 per use over 20 years.
The “expensive” option often provides better value when you factor in maintenance, longevity, and actual usage.
Our Recommendations by Budget
Under £2,000: DIY timber kit or professionally installed basic softwood. Focus on structural quality over decorative features.
£2,000-5,000: Quality softwood or entry-level aluminium. Consider hardwood if you value natural materials and can maintain them.
£5,000-10,000: Mid-range louvered systems or premium hardwood. This budget gets you genuinely good quality with features that matter.
£10,000+: Premium louvered systems (SUNS, Renson). At this level, you’re buying engineering excellence, long warranties, and integrated features.
Explore our pergola collection to see options across all price points.