| Having a good set of plans is essential to achieve | | | | ers. Most plans will come with a cut-out list. Take |
| good results. With the right plans, building a pergola | | | | your time to go over it, making sure you fully |
| yourself will save you time and money. | | | | understand it before you begin. Once you are ready, |
| If you have made the decision to build your own | | | | cut out all the material. When measuring, be patient, |
| pergola, doing a little research will be the first step. | | | | take your time to make sure everything is accurate. |
| Begin by finding a good location where you will be | | | | Cut all the pieces and assemble according to the |
| building. Next you will need to figure out the design | | | | plans you will be using. |
| and size that will work. | | | | Having plans with a material list will give you a good |
| Some common types of pergola: | | | | idea how much this project will cost. If you don't |
| Free Standing Pergola: A free standing pergola will be | | | | have the time, or you feel you don't have the |
| away from your home, and consist of four corner | | | | carpentry skills, show the plans to a contractor or |
| posts. This style is more common and preferred for | | | | local handyman to get some estimate. |
| overall appearance. | | | | If any digging will be involved make sure you are |
| Attached Pergola: An attached pergola will be | | | | aware of any utility lines. Be aware of utility lines to |
| attached to one side of the house, while the other | | | | avoid damage or injury to yourself. |
| side will rest on two or more outer posts. | | | | Also research the material you will be using. Wood is |
| You can find free plans by going to your local library | | | | the most common material, always choose the best |
| and looking for D.I.Y. pergola books. By looking at | | | | lumber your budget will allow. Select lumber that |
| some books you can get ideas of the style you will | | | | works for your climate, and you will also want to |
| want. Allot of times these books will have plans and | | | | keep in mind the maintenance requirements. |
| will usually have a material list. | | | | Redwood and cedar are excellent choices, it looks |
| Searching online is another great source for plans. | | | | good, and it will last many years. |
| There are many sites that offer free plans. By doing | | | | Most of the tools used for this project are pretty |
| a little research you can find just the right design. | | | | common. If you find yourself buying some new tools, |
| One of the drawbacks with free plans is finding the | | | | invest in the best tools your budget will allow. These |
| size you need. Because of the simple structure, | | | | tools will be a long term investment for building other |
| modifying plans to achieve the size you want should | | | | projects. |
| not be a problem. If modifying free plans is an issue, | | | | Building a pergola is not a hard task. With proper |
| invest in some plans. When buying plans, they will be | | | | research and preparation, most homeowners can do |
| available in many sizes, and the price is low, it is a | | | | it themselves. Building it yourself will not only save |
| small investment to get the best results. | | | | you money, it will give you the satisfaction of |
| Choosing a simple design such as a square or | | | | knowing you have a well built pergola that will last |
| rectangle shape can be built by most do-it-yourself | | | | many years. |