How Much Does a Pergola Cost in the UK? 2026 Price Guide
A pergola in the UK typically costs between £400 and £10,000 or more, with most homeowners paying £1,200 to £2,800 for a good-quality freestanding aluminium or wood structure, and around £2,500 all-in once professional installation is included. The exact figure depends on size, material, and features like an adjustable roof or motorised controls. Below is a full breakdown by size, material and feature, so you know exactly what you should be paying before you buy.
In this article
- How much does a pergola cost by size?
- How much do materials affect the price?
- What features add to the cost?
- Wall-mounted vs freestanding: which costs less?
- How much does installation cost?
- How can I reduce the cost of a pergola?
- FAQ
How much does a pergola cost by size?
Size is the single biggest driver of price, since it determines how much material, how many posts, and how much roofing you need. As a rough guide for the UK market in 2026:
| Size | Coverage | Budget timber kit | Mid-range aluminium/louvred | Premium/motorised |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 3m | 6m² | £700-£1,200 | £1,200-£1,600 | £1,800+ |
| 3 x 3m | 9m² | £1,200-£1,800 | £1,600-£2,400 | £2,400-£3,000 |
| 3 x 4m | 12m² | £1,800-£2,600 | £2,400-£3,200 | £3,200-£4,000 |
| 3.65 x 6.1m | 22m² | £3,000-£4,500 | £4,000-£6,000 | £6,000+ |
Our own range sits at the value end of these brackets. The Cedar Wood Pergola with Steel Frame, 2x3m is £1,238.75, and the Large Louvred Aluminium Pergola, 3.65 x 6.1m with 22m² of coverage is £2,643.13, well under the £4,000-plus that a mid-range aluminium structure of that size typically costs elsewhere.
How much do materials affect the price?
Material is the second-biggest cost factor.
Softwood (pine/fir) kits are the cheapest option, usually £200-£500 for a basic DIY frame, but they need re-treating every 1-2 years and rarely include a waterproof roof.
Cedar and hardwood cost more upfront but resist rot and insects naturally, so they need less ongoing maintenance. A steel-reinforced cedar frame also holds its shape better in wind than softwood alone.
Aluminium sits in the middle to premium band. It never rots, needs no repainting, and supports heavier features like adjustable louvres and integrated drainage, which is why most louvred pergolas on the market are aluminium rather than timber.
Genuine cedar timber over a steel inner frame, our lowest-priced structure and the entry point into real wood.
What features add to the cost of a pergola?
Beyond size and material, specific features push the price up because they add moving parts, wiring or manufacturing complexity:
- Adjustable louvred roofs typically add £300-£600 over a fixed roof, since they use hinged slats and a crank or motor mechanism.
- Motorised, remote-control roofs add a further £200-£500 on top of a manual louvred model, but let you close the roof in seconds when it starts raining.
- Integrated drainage channels route rainwater down the posts instead of off the edge, adding modest cost but protecting decking and patios underneath.
- Solar LED lighting and USB charging ports are usually £50-£150 extras but remove the need for an electrician or outdoor cabling entirely.
Fully motorised remote-control roof with built-in LED lights and drainage, priced well below most electric louvred systems.
Wall-mounted vs freestanding: which costs less?
A wall-mounted (lean-to) pergola fixes to an existing wall and uses that wall as one side of its support, so it needs fewer posts and less material than a freestanding structure of the same size. As a result, wall-mounted designs typically cost 15-25% less than an equivalent freestanding pergola.
Fixes directly to your house wall with a waterproof polycarbonate roof, curtains and netting included.
How much does pergola installation cost in the UK?
If you fit a pergola yourself, installation cost is essentially £0 beyond basic tools and, for freestanding models, postcrete for the base. Our kits are designed for two people to assemble in a weekend without specialist skills.
If you hire a tradesperson, expect to pay £200-£300 per day in labour, and 1-2 days of work for a standard-size structure, so roughly £400-£600 on top of the product price. This is one of the reasons a well-designed DIY kit can undercut a "professionally installed" pergola by £500 or more for the same finished result.
How can I reduce the cost of a pergola?
A few practical ways to keep the price down without sacrificing quality:
- Choose a wall-mounted design if you have a suitable house wall, since it needs less material than freestanding.
- Pick aluminium over hardwood if long-term maintenance cost matters more than the exact upfront price; you avoid re-staining and re-sealing every year or two.
- Skip electric motors unless you will genuinely use them daily; a manual crank louvred roof gives almost the same functionality for hundreds of pounds less.
- Buy DIY-assembly kits rather than paying for professional fitting, provided you have two people and a free weekend.
- Size to your actual use, not your biggest possible garden; a 3x3m pergola seats 4-6 comfortably and costs far less than a 3.65x6.1m structure.
Heavy-duty 120mm posts, double louvred roof and integrated drainage, fully powder-coated for zero maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a pergola in the UK?
Most UK homeowners pay between £1,200 and £2,800 for a good-quality 3x3m to 3x4m pergola, with a national average around £2,500 once basic installation is included.
Is it cheaper to build your own pergola?
Yes. A DIY kit removes £400-£600 of labour cost compared with hiring a tradesperson, and most aluminium and wood kits are designed for two people to assemble in a day or two.
Do louvred pergolas cost more than fixed-roof ones?
Yes, typically £300-£600 more, because the adjustable slats and roof mechanism add manufacturing cost. The trade-off is year-round flexibility between full shade, full sun and full rain cover.
Does a pergola need planning permission, and does that add cost?
Most garden pergolas fall under permitted development in the UK and do not need planning permission, so there is usually no added fee. Rules vary by size, height and location, so always check with your local authority if you are near a boundary or in a conservation area.
Are aluminium pergolas worth the extra cost over wood?
For most buyers, yes. Aluminium never rots, does not need annual treatment, and holds heavier features like integrated drainage and motorised roofs, which offsets the higher upfront price over several years of ownership.
How much does a large pergola cost compared to a standard one?
A large 3.65 x 6.1m pergola (22m²) typically costs £4,000-£6,000 in aluminium from most UK retailers, roughly double a standard 3x3m model, since it uses more than double the material and structural support.
Ready to find the right pergola for your budget?
Browse the full Signature Pergolas range, from the £1,238.75 Cedar Wood Pergola to the fully motorised Electric Louvred Pergola, and compare sizes, materials and features side by side.
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