[edphilly]

I would like to have a pergola installed. Any recommendations and/or contractors to stay clear of?

[kb8tpw]

Magellan - The Pergola King's. They do a super job and I am extremely happy with the pergola attached to the side of my house on a corner lot which really makes it stand out.

[beartrack]

I have a 12' x 20' patio at the back of my home. I want to have a Pergala built on it. I have had several estimates including one from Magellen. I have inspected several of their jobs as well as jobs done by other contractors. If I were willing to pay the price I would definately use Magellan. That said however, all the estimates that I recieved were between $4500 and $5500.for aluminum construction. I checked a material list at Loews and with using pressure treated lumber, I could build it myself for approximately $400. I will cut the lumber and paint it white before I install it. A couple of my friends have already volunteered to help with the project. I will check with community standards and the county for permission and/or permits. We will do it in the fall when it is a little cooler. This might cost me more than $5500 when I consider the hot dogs, hamburgers and beer. :-)

[jimbo2012]

I think I read if it's over 150' you need a permit, not sure tho.

[faithfulfrank]

My wife wants a pergola. I am an avid do it yourselfer, and I am currently leaning towards buying this one online. I spoke to the company and was very impressed.

Potomac Vinyl Pergolas

We are planning on this one about 9 x 12, and was quoted around $2500 shipped. It looks like a very easy installation. Just another option.....

Frank

[jimbo2012]

I too am a DIY, and found that that size can be had in a bird cage installed for that money.

If I were to it, I would opt for wood, there's nothing I see there that cant be done especially with the TV wood shop nearby.

Maybe $500 in materiel.

[ijusluvit]

We have a beautiful, free standing 10x12'x8' high pergola, totally maintenance free, powder-coated aluminum, sitting on a concrete pad. It cost $700 as a kit from a discount retailer (BJs). I was able to assemble it with a socket wrench, a step ladder and my wife steadying the legs as I connected the first roof pieces. Nothing heavy or strenuous. Completed in less than four hours. The 12x12 concrete pad was under a hot tub the previous owner had in a private side yard of our CYV. I finished the pad with ceramic tile.

The pergola is a perfect addition, and still looks new four years later. I searched the internet extensively. Vinyl and wood pergolas are more expensive. If you'd like to see a photo, send me a PM with your email address.

[jimbo2012]

How much would you want "approximately" for what they are talking about here?

[faithfulfrank]

The one I plan on installing will have two posts, as it goes in an inside corner. It will be attached just under the soffit and come out 9 ft, being 12' wide.

Personally I would never have a wood anything outside. Pressure treated, Cedar, Teak, etc all look great the first year or two, then it becomes a constant headache to paint, stain, etc every two years. Aluminum or Vinyl is the only way to go, IMHO. Almost "Zero Maintenance" is very high on my list of almost anything I do now......especially in Florida. I don't mind spending more up front to be happy after for years......."Cry one when you buy it.....then be happy after" is my motto. I"ve found buying quality in the long run is almost always cost effective long term.

Frank

[jimbo2012]

OK, I can understand that, what about Plastic Lumber, it's used for decks made out of recycled plastic.

HD sells it, a bit more than treated wood but, looks good, lasts for ever.

[faithfulfrank]

Jim,
I understand. It has been my experience that even "Trex" like materials eventually weather, fade to a lighter shade and sometimes even "feather" and lose that new look. Also, it is very costly and the dark color gets hot. A friend of mine built a huge trex deck, only to find he could not walk on it with bare feet without hosing it down first......

Trex actually recently came out with their own pergolas. The kits are costly.

I just researched the Pergolas from BJ's.....and they are less expensive and look nice. The one thing I noticed from downloading the instructions is that you need to buy treated 4x4's for the inside of the posts, and 2x6's for the inside of the beams...which raises the cost a good amount. The system I posted about before only requires ONE 2x6 to put inside the beam that attaches to the house if you are doing it that way.

Here in Florida I know my wife wants a white pergola.....so I believe that means a vinyl or an aluminum one, unless you want to keep it painted every couple of years.....with a fancy pergola that would be VERY labor intensive.

Frank

[asianthree]

what about termites