Costs
How Much Does a Pergola Cost? Tacoma Prices and Rain-Ready Options (2026)
The short answer
A professionally installed pergola costs about $4,000 on average, and most land between $2,100 and $6,000, according to LawnLove's 2026 cost guide. That is roughly $37 per square foot.
A classic open pergola gives shade, not shelter. If you want to sit outside in a Tacoma November, budget for a louvered roof or a solid patio cover instead.
A pergola is the quickest way to make a deck or patio feel like an outdoor room. It is also easy to overspend on, or to buy the wrong thing for our weather.
Here is what a pergola costs in 2026, what changes the price, and when a solid cover is the better money in the South Sound.
Pergola cost by size
| Size | Typical installed price |
|---|---|
| 8 x 8 ft (64 sq ft) | $1,280 to $3,840 |
| 10 x 10 ft (100 sq ft) | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| 12 x 12 ft (144 sq ft) | $2,880 to $8,640 |
LawnLove puts the typical range at $20 to $60 per square foot, and a 12 by 12 pergola at about $5,000 on average. The material makes most of the difference.
Pergola cost by material
| Material | Per sq ft | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $20 | 15 to 20 years |
| Aluminum | $20 | 15 to 20 years |
| Wood | $35 | 5 to 12 years |
| Fiberglass | $60 | 15 to 20 years |
Among woods, LawnLove lists pine at about $25 per square foot, cedar at $30, redwood at $45 and teak at $55.
Here, rain is the real test. Cedar resists weather and insects, and pressure-treated pine lasts longer than untreated. Vinyl and aluminum do not rot, which suits a pergola that has to get through long wet winters.
The roof decides whether it keeps the rain off
A classic pergola roof is open slats. It cuts summer sun and lets every drop of rain through. These are the upgrades, with LawnLove's prices.
- A retractable canopy adds shade and some shelter for about $4.50 per square foot.
- A louvered roof has slats that tilt open and shut, usually at the press of a button. It adds about $25 to $130 per square foot.
- A smart pergola can close itself for weather or run from a phone app, and averages $60 to $65 per square foot.
One thing to know about louvered roofs. Closed, it acts as a solid roof, which matters for snow load and often for permits. Our deck and patio covers page explains what works in this climate.
Pergola or patio cover?
Fixr compared cover types for a 12 by 18 foot patio, in figures updated February 2025. Here is the cover alone, not counting the patio under it.
| Cover | Cost for a 12 x 18 ft patio |
|---|---|
| Pergola | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Gable roof | $2,200 to $13,500 |
| Louvered roof | $4,320 to $20,700 |
So a solid roof does not have to cost more than a pergola. A simple one can land in the same range, and it keeps you dry.
A pergola makes sense if you mostly want summer shade, a frame for lights or plants, or a way to mark out an outdoor room. If you want to use the space through fall and winter, put the money into a solid or louvered roof.
Compare the two kinds of solid cover in freestanding vs attached patio covers, or browse patio cover ideas that hold up in Washington rain.
Other costs to plan for
- A level base. A pergola needs flat ground or paving under it. If you do not have that, leveling or new concrete adds to the cost.
- Power. For lights, a fan or a heater, LawnLove says an electrician typically charges $45 to $100 an hour.
- Permits. LawnLove puts a typical pergola permit at $30 to $150, and says many pergolas need none.
Whether you need a permit depends on where you live. A pergola attached to the house, or one with a solid or louvered roof, is more likely to need one than a small freestanding frame. Check with Tacoma, Pierce County or your own city before you build.
Kit, DIY or professional?
LawnLove puts a professionally installed pergola at about $4,000, a DIY kit at about $2,350, and one built from scratch at about $470.
A kit saves money if you are handy. A professional build makes more sense for anything attached to the house, anything with a roof that closes, or anything that needs footings or power.
Where to go from here
We build pergolas, patio covers and covered decks across Tacoma, Spanaway, Lakewood and the rest of Pierce and Thurston counties. See what we build on our deck covers page.
Tell us about your deck or patio and how you want to use it. We will tell you whether a pergola or a cover fits better.
Common questions
How much does a pergola cost?
LawnLove's 2026 guide puts a professionally installed pergola at about $4,000 on average, with most between $2,100 and $6,000, or roughly $20 to $60 per square foot.
How much does a 12 x 12 pergola cost?
About $5,000 on average. Most 12 by 12 pergolas cost between $2,880 and $8,640, depending on the material and the roof.
Does a pergola keep the rain off?
A classic open pergola does not. A louvered roof sheds rain when its slats are closed, and a solid patio cover keeps you dry all the time.
Is a pergola cheaper than a patio cover?
Not always. Fixr's figures for a 12 by 18 foot patio put a pergola cover at $2,500 to $6,000 and a gable roof cover at $2,200 to $13,500, so a simple solid roof can cost about the same.
Code requirements on this page were last checked on 6 November 2026. Codes change, so confirm current standards with your city or county before you apply.
Planning a project in Thurston or Pierce County?
We handle the permit work as part of the build. Tell us the site and what you want.
Where this applies
We work in every one of these towns, and each has its own page covering the rules that apply there.