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Pergolas & Patio Covers — From $5,995

Cedar pergolas, attached patio covers, freestanding gazebos, outdoor kitchen framing. Designed for Texas heat and hurricane winds. Built to last 20+ years.

STARTING AT
$5,995
DONE IN
3–7 days
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Owner
On Every Project
1-Year
Workmanship Warranty
Hurricane
Wind-Rated Build

About this service

Houston has 6 months of usable outdoor weather and 6 months of brutal sun and humidity. A well-built pergola or patio cover is what makes the second 6 months livable — proper shade over a patio, somewhere your furniture doesn't bake in the sun, an outdoor space that actually gets used in July and August.

This service covers cedar pergolas (open or slatted top — decorative shade), attached patio covers (solid roof off the back of the house — full rain and sun protection), freestanding gazebos in the yard, and structural framing for outdoor kitchens (post-and-beam structure that fits your grill, sink, and prep area).

Every structure is built to current Texas building code for our wind zone — concrete-set posts, structural-rated lumber sized for span, galvanized hurricane ties at every connection, through-bolts (not screws) for primary structural fasteners. Most pergola failures we see in the area are from cheap installs using deck screws and undersized lumber that fail in 70 mph winds. Ours don't.

What's Included

Every Pergola or Patio Cover Includes

✓ Included in starting price

  • Site visit and design consultation — measure space, discuss style options, suggest size, identify any constraints (HOA, utilities, drainage)
  • Sketch and dimensioned drawing for HOA submission and your approval before any work begins
  • Concrete post footings — minimum 2'x2'x36" deep, structural-rated
  • Western Red Cedar posts and beams — sized for your span and wind load (or pressure-treated pine option for budget builds)
  • Galvanized hurricane ties at every post-to-beam and beam-to-rafter connection
  • Through-bolts for primary structural connections (not screws — bolts hold under cyclical wind loading)
  • Stained or sealed finish — choose color, semi-transparent or solid stain, applied after wood acclimates
  • Roofing if patio cover (vs open pergola) — metal panels, polycarbonate, or shingles to match house
  • Cleanup — debris haul-away, post hole tailings removed, site swept

— Available as add-on (extra cost)

  • Integrated electrical (lighting, fans, outlets) — done by licensed electrician sub
  • Outdoor kitchen framing for grill, sink, refrigerator, prep counter
  • Decorative features: corbels, post bases, scroll-cut rafter tails
  • Built-in benches or bar tops integrated into structure
  • Privacy screens, lattice walls, or partial side walls
  • Concrete pad pour or pavers under the pergola (if not building over existing slab)
  • Polycarbonate sheeting for partial rain protection on open pergolas
  • Permit pulling and engineered drawings if required by your municipality

All add-ons priced transparently in your written estimate before any work begins.

Project Timeline

Day-by-Day What Happens

Most pergolas finish in 3–5 days. Patio covers and outdoor kitchens 5–7 days. HOA approval (2-4 weeks) happens before this clock starts.

Day 1
Layout and post footings

Mark exact post locations. Dig footing holes (2'x2'x36" deep). Pour concrete with rebar. Set anchor bolts for posts. Cure overnight.

Day 2
Posts up

Set cedar posts on cured footings. Plumb each post in two directions. Brace temporarily until beams go up.

Day 3
Beams and headers

Cut and install primary support beams. Through-bolt to posts with galvanized hardware. Install hurricane ties at all connections.

Day 4
Rafters and slats (or roof framing)

For pergola: install rafters and decorative top slats. For patio cover: install roof framing for chosen roofing material.

Day 5
Roofing or finish details

If patio cover: install metal/polycarbonate roof panels. If pergola: install scroll-cut rafter ends or decorative trim. Touch up.

Day 6-7
Stain/seal and cleanup

Apply stain or sealer (after wood has acclimated 1-2 days). Final inspection. Site cleanup. Walk-through with you. Photos for records.

Pricing Tiers

What Drives the Final Price

Starting price covers a basic 12x14 cedar pergola. Final estimate based on size, material, and add-ons.

Standard Cedar Pergola

$5,995–$8,500

10x12 to 12x14 ft, cedar posts and beams, open slatted top, basic stain finish. 3-4 days. Most popular size for The Woodlands patios.

Patio Cover or Large Pergola

$8,500–$15,000

14x20+ ft, solid roof patio cover with metal or polycarbonate, or larger pergola with decorative features. 5-7 days. Includes roofing.

Outdoor Kitchen / Premium Build

$15,000–$30,000+

Outdoor kitchen framing for grill/sink/fridge, integrated lighting and fans, premium materials, decorative details. 7-10 days. Includes electrical sub.

FAQ

Common Questions About Pergolas & Patio Covers

What's the difference between a pergola and a patio cover?
A pergola has open or slatted top — partial shade, decorative columns, lets some sun through. A patio cover has solid roof — full rain protection, full shade. In Houston we often build hybrid: solid roof over part of the structure (for furniture) with open pergola section (for plants or decorative). Pricing similar; choice depends on how you'll use the space.
How much does a custom pergola cost in Houston?
Most custom cedar pergolas range from $5,995 to $12,000 for a typical 12x14 ft size. Aluminum starts at $38/sqft, cedar at $50/sqft. Premium cedar with stained finish, integrated lighting, and decorative features runs $10-15K+. Pricing includes design, materials, install, and finish.
Can pergolas withstand Houston hurricanes?
Yes — when built properly. We design for at least 110 mph wind loads. This means: concrete-set posts, structural-rated lumber sized for span, hurricane ties at all connections, and through-bolts not screws for primary fasteners. Cheap installs using deck screws and undersized lumber fail in 60-70 mph winds — we've replaced several after storm damage.
Do I need a permit for a pergola in The Woodlands?
In Montgomery County, permits are typically required for any structure attached to the house OR any freestanding structure over 200 sq ft. HOA approval is almost always required regardless of size. We pull permits as part of project scope and know typical Woodlands village requirements.
What materials do you use?
For premium: Western Red Cedar for posts, beams, slats — naturally rot-resistant, beautiful. For more affordable: pressure-treated yellow pine with cedar-stain finish. For ultra-low-maintenance: aluminum frame (powder-coated). Galvanized hurricane ties, stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners, concrete post footings throughout.
How long does pergola construction take?
Standard 12x14 cedar pergola: 3-5 days. Larger pergolas with attached cover: 5-7 days. Outdoor kitchens with framing for grill/sink/electrical: 7-10 days. HOA approval timing (2-4 weeks) is often the longest part — happens before construction starts.

Looking for deck work too?

We also build and repair wooden decks, composite decks, and roof decks. See deck build & repair →

Ready to Get Your Pergola or Patio Cover Quote?

Free written quote within 48 hours. HOA approval typically 2-4 weeks before construction starts.

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