Calculate pergola materials, lumber, and cost
Estimated DIY Cost
$922
Pressure-Treated · 276 board feet
276
Board Feet
6
Posts
10
Rafters
2
Beams
12
Concrete Bags (60 lb)
Cost by Wood Type
DIY Materials + Hardware
$922
Contractor Estimate
$2,305
Includes labor, materials, and overhead (~2.5x DIY cost)
Potential savings: $1,383 by building it yourself
Inputs
Result
Posts = ceil(12/8 + 1) × 2 = 3 × 2 = 6. Beams = 2. Rafters = ceil(12/1.333) + 1 = 10. Post BF: 6 posts × 6×6×8 ft = 144 BF. Beam BF: 2 × 2×8×12 ft = 32 BF. Rafter BF: 10 × 2×6×10 ft = 100 BF. Total ≈ 258 BF. Cost: 258 × $2.50 = $645.
Inputs
Result
Posts = ceil(16/8 + 1) × 2 = 3 × 2 = 6. Beams = 2. Rafters = ceil(16/1.333) + 1 = 13. Post BF: 6 × 6×6×9 = 162 BF. Beam BF: 2 × 2×8×16 = 42.67 BF. Rafter BF: 13 × 2×6×14 = 182 BF. Total ≈ 449 BF. Cost: 449 × $4.50 = $2,021.
A DIY pergola typically costs $500–$3,000 for materials depending on size and wood type. Pressure-treated lumber averages $2.50/board foot, cedar $4.50/board foot, and redwood $7/board foot. A standard 12×10 ft pergola uses roughly 200–300 board feet of lumber.
| Wood Type | Cost per BF | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated | $2.50 | 15–20 years | Stain every 2–3 years |
| Cedar | $4.50 | 20–25 years | Optional stain/seal |
| Redwood | $7.00 | 25–30 years | Minimal — naturally durable |
Pergola posts are typically spaced 6 to 10 feet apart. Eight feet is the most common spacing for residential pergolas. Wider spacing may require larger beams (6×6 or 6×8) to prevent sagging.
Common pergola lumber sizes are 6×6 posts, 2×8 or 2×10 beams, and 2×6 rafters. Post size depends on height and load. Beams run the full length on each side, while rafters span the width at regular intervals.
| Component | Standard Size | Heavy-Duty Size |
|---|---|---|
| Posts | 6×6 | 8×8 |
| Beams | 2×8 | 2×10 or doubled 2×8 |
| Rafters | 2×6 at 16" OC | 2×8 at 12" OC |
Plan for 2 bags of 60-lb concrete per post hole. A standard 12×10 ft pergola with 8-ft post spacing needs 6 posts and 12 bags of concrete. Each post hole should be 12 inches in diameter and 36 inches deep.
Pressure-treated lumber is cheapest at $2.50/board foot and lasts 15–20 years with maintenance. Cedar costs $4.50/board foot but is naturally rot-resistant and weathers to an attractive gray. Redwood at $7/board foot offers the best durability and appearance.
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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