What are the steps involved in installing a pergola?

In this comprehensive guide to the pergola installation process, we offer up detailed instructions on the steps that you or your builder will need to follow when installing your pergola.

Preparation for pergola installation

Before you dive into the construction, you'll first need to do a bit of planning for your outdoor living area.

You should carefully consider the location of your pergola or patio. Where is the best spot for it? Will it be connected to your house, or will you choose a freestanding structure? Once you've got an idea of your preferred size and location, use tape or string to mark out the area to gain a better sense of what your pergola will look like. Consider factors like drainage and the conditions the structure will need to withstand.

Next you'll need to create a design and choose the materials that your pergola will be made from. You can opt for a basic DIY pergola kit, although this option is inherently limited, and the resulting pergola may not form a particularly organic addition to your home.

Alternatively you can bring in pergola experts like Johnson & Couzins who can guide you to the perfect design. A professional will also ensure that everything is done by the book and that all necessary permits are obtained. 

Gathering materials and tools

Once you've settled on a design for your pergola, you'll need to source all the materials and ensure you have access to all the necessary tools.

Timber pergolas, for example, will require access to the following tools:

• Measuring and marking tools: Tape measure, carpenter's pencil, chalk line, spirit level.
• Cutting tools: Circular saw, handsaw, jigsaw and/or mitre saw.
• Drilling and fastening tools: Nail gun, drill, drill bits, screwdriver, hammer, nails/screws, bolts.
• Digging and foundation tools: Post hole digger or auger, shovel, tamper, cement mixing tools.
• Assembling tools: Wrench or socket set, clamps, carpenter's square.
• Safety equipment: Glasses, ear protection, gloves, dust mask, hard hat.
• Finishing tools: Paintbrush, roller, sander, sandpaper.

Step-by-step pergola installation

Once you've locked in your design and you've sourced materials and tools, you're ready to begin construction. The following instructions are based on a timber pergola. Lumber is the best material to use for a DIY project, but it's important to note that wood pergolas are also a higher maintenance, less durable option when compared to aluminium or steel pergolas.

1. Laying the foundation

The first step is the groundwork. Begin by digging holes for your posts. These holes should be around 500mm deep and 300mm in width for the average pergola. Place gravel or a brick in each hole to ensure the pergola posts don't sink. Pour in concrete then set your posts in place, ensuring they are perfectly upright and level. Wait for the concrete to cure.

If you're installing your pergola on top of a concrete slab, you'll need to install post brackets onto the surface of the slab to hold your posts up. Use a masonry bit to drill into your concrete patio then secure the brackets with expansion bolts. 

2. Assembling the frame

If required, cut the beams/bearers to size, then attach the beams to the posts using screws or bolts. You will then cut the rafters to size, and mark the position of the rafters on the beams. The rafters are installed perpendicular to the beams, spaced evenly.

You can then either add a roof or top slats/battens for an open air pergola, which a climbing plant can grow around and through. Just be aware that an open-top pergola won't offer much protection from adverse weather conditions.

3. Finishing touches

Assembly complete, it's time to make your pergola look beautiful. Sand any rough edges, then paint or stain the pergola to protect it and bring it to life. Add decorative elements within your pergola, like lattice that can support climbing plants.

Consider flooring options. You can stick with whatever surface you've built your pergola on - grass, gravel, concrete - or you could install decking or paving to elevate the space.

Maintenance and care

The level of pergola maintenance you face will depend on the pergola material you've chosen. Steel, aluminium and vinyl pergolas need nothing more than a spray down or wipe down and a very occasional re-paint to look their best.

Timber pergolas demand far more maintenance. You'll need to regularly stain or treat the wood to ensure it stays protected. You need to keep an eye out for signs of mould, mildew and rot, and address them as soon as you see them. And ultimately, even with this attention, your timber pergola may not last as long as a metal equivalent.

Johnson & Couzins: NZ’s ultimate pergolas

Between designing the structure, obtaining permits, sourcing materials and tools, and completing the project, building a pergola is no mean feat. And mistakes at any point of the process can prove costly and tricky to fix.

That's why so many Kiwis choose to hand their pergola project to our expert team at Johnson & Couzins, home of the country's most beautiful and functional pergolas.

Our high-end outdoor pergolas are made from strong and stunning aluminium, and feature our famous SkyLouvre system - roofs and walls that can be opened and retracted to let more outdoors in, or closed to provide a perfectly private and cosy outdoor space.

Interested in enhancing your home and your lifestyle with a retractable pergola? Get in touch with our friendly team today.

Common questions about pergola installation

What is the best wood for building a pergola?

Two of the most popular types of wood for pergola construction are cedar and redwood. Cedar offers natural resistance to rot and insects, while redwood is a durable and beautiful option. But no matter which timber you choose, it's critical that you faithfully maintain it to ensure it looks good and stays strong in the long run.

Do I need a permit to install a pergola?

In New Zealand building permits are handled by councils, and each will have their own rules and regulations, so it's important to check with your local authorities before you undertake any work.

But as a general rule, in New Zealand you will usually need a building permit to install any structure over about a metre tall.

How long does it typically take to install a pergola?

The most simple DIY pergola kits can be constructed and installed within a day or so, although as anyone who has gone the DIY option can tell you, it can prove surprisingly slow, with constant trips to the hardware store, and the need for an extra set of hands at key moments in the process.

A professionally installed Johnson & Couzins pergola, meanwhile, will be done for you over the course of a few days, though the length of the process will depend on the size and complexity of the job.

Can a pergola be installed on any type of terrain?

Pretty much! Pergolas are very flexible and adaptable structures, and can be installed on everything from soil to concrete slabs. Sloped blocks can be negotiated with elevated decking, though when the terrain is tricky, it's wise to consult a professional pergola builder like Johnson & Couzins to ensure you design and build a safe outdoor space that will last.