How much does it cost to build a gazebo?

Gazebos are stand-alone structures typically added to decks or yards for the purpose of enjoying the outdoors. Always round or octagonal in shape, a gazebo has a finished roof and floor, as well as the ability to have finished or screened walls, providing users with shade and some protection from the elements while outside.

Gazebos can be used for entertaining, relaxing, dining, or simply finding some shade on a hot summer’s day. Like all types of landscaping, building a gazebo on your property can add value to your home, while offering you a place to kick back and relax in your own yard.

The average 9 foot wooden gazebo ranges in cost from $5,000 for a simple structure added to the end of your deck to $15,000 for a more elaborate gazebo with screened or glassed in walls. The average homeowner spends around $7,500 when building their structure.

Installation considerations

Gazebos make wonderful additions to many yards and homes, but not every structure is going to be a perfect fit with your property. Before you begin building, make the following considerations:

• Location: will your gazebo be a part of a deck, or will it stand alone in the yard? How much sun will it see? Is there a threat of insect activity if too close to the woods?
• Size: what will you use the gazebo for? If for dining, it will need to be large enough to accommodate your table and chairs. If for entertaining, is there room for a band, chairs, or dancing? If for simply relaxing, does it have enough room for seating, coolers, and other accoutrements?
• Landscaping: you want your new gazebo to fit in well with your existing landscaping. For example, if you have garden paths, it could become a destination point. Or, if you have a wide open yard, you could make it a focal point or tuck it away beneath some trees if you prefer it not take center stage.
• Style: your gazebo needs to at least coordinate with your home’s style, if not matching it exactly. If building from wood, consider matching the color of your home’s siding. Otherwise, consider things like the roofing or the shape of the windows to coordinate with your home’s architectural style.

Location

Gazebos can be placed nearly anywhere, which is one of their benefits. Many people choose to build a small gazebo right into their deck to offer a shady place to relax near their home. Others choose to build in their yard for a more retreat-like setting.

As you determine where to install your gazebo, consider the size and whether it will fit comfortably in that location without making it seem crowded. Consider also the path you will take to reach the gazebo, and whether or not it will be able to be viewed from the street or from your home.

Plans and design

Gazebo kits are available both with sets of plans to build a gazebo from scratch or to purchase and put together on site. With the exception of the shape, which rarely changes from octagonal or round, gazebos can come in many different styles and sizes.

If having a deck built, your decking contractor can likely design a gazebo to match. Otherwise, you may want to engage the services of an architect (10%-17% of project cost) or draftsman ($100-$130 per hour) to draw up the plans for you, if you do not purchase a standard kit.

Types

By definition, a gazebo is a structure with a roof and a floor that is round in shape. However, there are some variations on that theme, which can give you a few types to choose from.

• Hexagonal gazebos are slightly more angular in shape than traditional round gazebo types, but can make an attractive design. The average cost is around $5,000.
• Octagonal gazebos are nearly as popular as round. They make it easier to screen or glass in the structure, while retaining a mostly round shape. The average cost is around $5,000 before screening or glass.
• Fully round gazebos are popular as a fully open structure, with no sides but columns supporting the roof. The average cost of a fully round gazebo is $3,000.
• Oval gazebos are a twist on the open, round gazebo and also cost around $3,000.
• Dodecahedron gazebos are made of 12 sides, and can be very expensive to build, often costing more than three times what a round gazebo will, with most costs starting around $10,000.
• Rectangular gazebos are not technically gazebos, but fall under the category of garden structure. They may or may not have floors, and are generally a little less expensive to build, with costs starting around $3,000.
• Walled gazebos are a custom structure with six to eight sides that have full walls with windows. They can be insulated for year round use, but often cost up to three times what an open gazebo will cost, with most starting around $10,000.

Materials

The most common material for a gazebo to be constructed from is wood, with tropical hardwoods ¹ lasting the longest and needing the least maintenance. However, vinyl ² gazebo kits are also available, which can last up to twice as long. Other materials for gazebos include:

These materials represent what the structure itself is made from. Roofs and flooring may be made of other materials or may be made of the same, depending on the type you choose.

Floor

The floor of your gazebo can be constructed of wood, particularly if having the rest of the structure built of wood as well, usually with only $100 to $200 being added to the final costs. However, there are many other types of flooring to consider for your gazebo as well.

Roofing

Gazebos are roofed structures, which makes up a large portion of both the cost and the labor of constructing the gazebo. There are several different styles for roofs, as well as different roofing options. Like any building, a gazebo can be covered with any type of roofing material. In most cases, you may want to match the type of shingle ⁴ already on your house for the most cohesive appearance.

Gazebo roofs are generally constructed into a single or double roof. Double roofs do increase costs by about $2,000 over the cost of a single roof. Most gazebos will only require one square of roofing material, or 100 square feet.  Roofing shingles ⁴ to consider include:

• Asphalt shingles: $80-$100 per square.
• Composite shingles: $110 per square.
• Tiles: $110-$117 per square.
• Wood shakes: $300 per square.
• Metal roofs: $330 per square.
• Slate: $1,000-$2,000 per square.

Open vs screened gazebo

Gazebos are typically open structures with a roof. They may have a fence rail around the perimeter or columns for support. In some cases they may also have full or partial walls.

Open gazebos tend to cost the least, simply because they use the least amount of material, often costing about $3,000 to $5,000 on average.

A screened gazebo or a walled gazebo with glass or screened windows will cost more, $5,000 to $10,000, but can offer protection from insects and in some instances also the weather, which can increase your enjoyment of the structure and how often you use it.

Installation process

Gazebos are built like many structures including sheds, enclosures, and houses. A foundation or flooring is usually built first. If this is a wood flooring, concrete posts or slabs will be put down first to elevate the wood floor from the earth. Brick or paver-based floors will include leveling ³ the ground before putting down the flooring.

The basic walls or columns of the gazebo are put up next, followed by the roof. At this time, finishing materials are added including fence rails, screens, roofing materials, drywall ⁵ if finishing the interior, and glass if creating windows.

If running electricity to the gazebo for lights or TV, this is done after the basic framing, but before finishing. A gazebo can be put up in as little as two weeks if using a basic frame without interior finishing, walls, or glass.

Labor

Labor makes up the bulk of the cost of the gazebo. While the materials for a gazebo may run $1,500 to $3,000, the labor will run around $7,000 for a 9 foot gazebo with double roof, partial walls, and screens. Expect to pay a carpenter around $70 an hour, while an electrician may be needed at $65-$85 an hour if running lights to the structure.

Gazebo vs pergola

Another outdoor structure that can enhance your property values is the pergola ⁶. Pergolas ⁶ are an open structure without a finished floor or roof. They may have a temporary or partial roof that can offer some shade, but are generally used to define an area or a space in the yard, versus gazebos, which are finished structures.

Pergolas ⁶ cost between $3,000 and $6,000 for a 9 foot structure, making them considerably less money than a gazebo, but they also offer less protection from the elements, as well as less versatility in use.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• Seating can be added to most gazebos as either built-in benches or stand alone gazebo benches added after the structure is built. Expect to pay around $120 per bench.
• Grillzebos are becoming popular, combining a built-in grill with a gazebo. Built-in grills cost around $6,000 extra to include, for a total cost of around $13,500.
• Add a hot tub to the gazebo for a cost of around $3,500.
• Add outdoor lighting to the gazebo at a cost of around $3,800.

Additional considerations and costs

• In many areas, a gazebo will require a permit to build. Permit costs start around $430.
• Local building codes may dictate where on your property you can build the gazebo, as well as how large or tall the structure can be. Always check with your local city ordinances before beginning construction.
• DIY gazebo kits are available for costs starting around $1,500. However, it is generally recommended that even when using a kit, that you hire a professional to assemble.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Tropical hardwoods: Timber from deciduous, flowering, seed-bearing trees that grow in tropical rainforests

² Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others

⁴ Shingle: A smooth, uniform, flat piece of construction material, available in a wide variety of materials and laid in a series of overlapping rows, used to cover the outside of roofs or walls to protect against weather damage and leaks.

⁵ Drywall: Type of plasterboard, commonly used to build walls and ceilings, composed of gypsum that is layered between sheets of heavy paper

⁶ Pergola: An arched structure with an open roof and cross rafters, supported by posts or columns, typically installed in a garden, park, or backyard and usually covered with climbing plants or vines.