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.
The cost to build a gazebo ranges between $7,500-$10,000, with the average homeowner paying $8,750 to build a 9 ft. screened cedar gazebo with a single roof.
Cost to build a gazebo | |
---|---|
National average cost | $8,750 |
Average range | $7,500-$10,000 |
Minimum cost | $4,000 |
Maximum cost | $12,500 |
The size of the gazebo largely determines the final cost of the project. Smaller gazebos require fewer materials to build and are not normally subject to permit costs. Also, a smaller gazebo is quicker to build—meaning labor costs are automatically lowered. As an estimate, expect to pay between $75 and $100 per square foot 1 for a gazebo project.
Size | Cost |
---|---|
8 x 8 ft. / 64 sq.ft. | $4,800 - $6,400 |
9 x 9 ft / 81 sq.ft. | $6,100 - $8,100 |
10 x 10 ft / 100 sq.ft. | $7,500 - $10,000 |
12 x 12 ft / 144 sq.ft. | $10,800 - $14,400 |
14 x 14 ft / 196 sq. ft. | $14,700 - $19,600 |
The most common material for a gazebo to be constructed from is wood, with tropical hardwoods 2 lasting the longest and needing the least maintenance. However, vinyl 3 gazebo kits are also available, which can last up to twice as long. Any type of building materials traditionally used for gazebos include:
Material | Prices |
---|---|
Wrought iron | $3,000 |
Brick | $3,200 |
Aluminium | $4,500 |
Bamboo | $4,600 |
Pine | $4,800 |
Iron cast | $5,300 |
Red cedar | $6,000 |
Vinyl | $6,800 |
Steel | $7,000 |
Reinforced concrete | $10,000 |
Wrought iron is one of the least expensive materials for building a gazebo. It is also very long lasting, which makes it one of the most popular choices among homeowners. However, it is more open and offers less protection against weather than other materials. Also, there are not many style and design options for this material. It costs around $3,000.
Surprisingly enough, brick gazebos are one of the most cost-effective options available. The cost of the materials to build the gazebo on-site is low with the total project estimated around $3,200. Brick gazebos are long-lasting and require very little homeowner maintenance.
With an aluminium gazebo, you’ll have fewer style options to choose from, but you will be selecting a material that’s long-lasting and weather-resistant. Expect to pay around $4,500 to install an aluminium gazebo in your yard space.
Bamboo gazebos have an attractive price point, but are not well known for their durability. Any type of bamboo structure can develop cracks and structural changes over time due to prolonged moisture exposure. Bamboo gazebos are one of the less expensive options with prices around $4,600.
Pine is a very inexpensive material which comes in many design options. It does require quite a bit of maintenance work and it will not last as long as other materials, such as vinyl 3. Pine gazebos cost around $4,800.
If you choose an iron cast gazebo, you’re going to have to select from a very traditional style. Iron cast gazebos are elegant with a timeless style, but are not usually made available in modern designs. Iron cast gazebos have high durability with low maintenance requirements. The average price of an iron cast gazebo is $5,300.
Red cedar is an aromatic wood that can be very long lasting. It does require some maintenance, such as staining. Cost average $6,000.
Vinyl is a very long lasting material which requires little maintenance. It’s more expensive than other options and it usually has fewer design options. It usually costs around $6,800 to build a vinyl gazebo.
Steel gazebos are highly durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions. There is very little maintenance to perform when you install a steel gazebo. Expect to pay around $7,000 for a steel gazebo.
Reinforced concrete is usually only chosen for permanent structures in a yard space. Reinforced concrete provides all-weather protection and is one of the most durable materials on the market. With this in mind, reinforced gazebos have the highest expense and cost upwards of $10,000 to build.
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.
Shape | Cost |
---|---|
Round | $3,000 |
Oval | $3,000 |
Rectangular | $3,000 |
Hexagonal | $5,000 |
Octogonal | $5,000 |
Dodecahedron | $10,000 |
Walled | $10,000 |
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.
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.
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 for a standard octagonal gazebo.
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.
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.
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 1 3 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.
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.
Flooring Material | Cost |
---|---|
Wood | $250-$350 |
Composite Decking | $600-$900 |
Brick | $2,000-$4,000 |
Patio Pavers | $2,700-$4,200 |
Stamped Concrete | $3,000-$4,400 |
Wood flooring is the least expensive way to add a solid floor to your gazebo. Floorboards are screwed down to provide a wood decking base for your gazebo. Estimate between $250 and $350 for wood flooring.
Composite decking is a low maintenance material that works well with vinyl 3 gazebos. However, there are not many style or color options and maintenance might be a bit harder than other materials, since it may swell with moisture. It usually costs around $600 to $900.
Brick is a very low maintenance and attractive material. Many people choose it because of the aesthetics, but some considerations must be taken into account, such as its high price and the fact that the yard may require some leveling 4 before installing brick. It will cost around $2,000-$4,000 to install brick flooring in your gazebo.
If you choose to have patio pavers in your gazebo, you’ll have the opportunity to match your existing patio nearby. However, it may turn out to be an expensive material, and, similar to brick, it may require yard leveling first. Costs run at $27,000-$4,200 for concrete patio pavers.
With stamped concrete, you can match your existing patio flooring. Besides, it requires low maintenance and easy cleaning, although it may be a bit expensive. Like brick and patio pavers, it may require leveling. It usually costs $3,000 to $4,400 to install stamped concrete flooring in your gazebo.
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 5 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 options to consider include:
Roofing Material | Cost per square |
---|---|
Shingle | $80-$115 |
Tile | $110-$117 |
Wood | $275-$325 |
Metal | $300-$400 |
Glass | $400-$800 |
Polycarbonate | $600-$1,000 |
Slate | $1,000-$2,000 |
Roof shingles are overlapping pieces that provide weather protection for structures like a gazebo. Asphalt 6 shingles 5 are the least expensive option for gazebo roofs. Composite shingles cost slightly more, but are better suited for regions with unpredictable weather conditions. Asphalt shingles are around $80 to $100 per square while composite shingles have prices around $110 to $115 per square.
When you choose tin as a roofing material for your gazebo, you’re selecting a rolled steel underlay 7 with a top coat of tin. Tin roofs are long-lasting and considered an environmentally-friendly choice, but the material can dent easily. Tile pricing is $110 to $117 per square.
Wood shakes 8 are one of the most popular choices for roofing materials when planning out a gazebo. The wood roof style is very attractive and offers more design personalization than other roof material types. Wood shakes cost around $275 to $325 per square.
By choosing a metal roof, you’re selecting a durable material that can withstand high winds and wet weather conditions. However, a metal roof can also expand and contract during extreme heat and cold temperatures. A metal roof can also be noisy during poor weather conditions. Metal roofs have a cost of $300 to $350 per square while aluminum roofs have pricing at $350 to $400 per square.
A glass roof gazebo is the perfect choice for those looking to create an almost greenhouse look for their outdoor structure. Advantages of a glass roof is that they have a very modern look and can withstand wet weather conditions. Downsides include the high expense and the difficulty to clean the roof. A glass gazebo roof runs between $400 and $800 per square.
One of the latest roof material choices for a gazebo is polycarbonate 9. Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic material and has the benefit of being highly resistant to extreme weather conditions and any type of impacts. Budget anywhere from $600 to $1,000 per square for a polycarbonate roof.
Slate 10 is truly the gold standard in providing protection for your gazebo. Shingles 5 made from hard slate can last more than 100 years. Since the material is very durable, slate roofs are one of the most expensive to install. The expense is $1,000 to $2,000 per square for a slate roof.
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:
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 4 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 4, screens, roofing materials, drywall 12 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.
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.
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.
Gazebos are typically open structures with a roof. They may have a fence rail 13 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.
Another outdoor structure that can enhance your property values is the pergola 14. Pergolas 14 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 14 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.
Although a pavilion is also an outdoor structure like a gazebo, there’s two key differences: pavilions have open sides and don’t have the flooring materials built-in 15. Gazebos are considered stand-alone structures while pavilions serve the purpose of providing shade and weather coverage to an outdoor seating area.
The average cost to build a pavilion is considerably less than a gazebo since fewer materials are needed to construct the structure. The average cost to build a 9 ft pavilion is around $3,500 while the cost to build the same size gazebo is around $7,500. Pavilion cost per square foot is approximately $35 to $40.
The most pressing type of maintenance done on a gazebo is to keep the interior and roof clean of any dirt and debris. Remove branches, leaves, and any other fallen material from the roof on a quarterly basis. Gently clean the exterior and flooring of the gazebo using a garden hose. Remove difficult stains with mild soap and a soft-bristled scrub brush. If you own a wooden gazebo, apply a sealant every two years to protect the material from becoming weathered.
Gazebos do have a tendency to attract pests, including bee, wasp and hornet nests, so check for these pests regularly. Nest removal should be handled by a pest control professional and cost upwards of $200.
Seating can be added to most gazebos as either built-in 15 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 15 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.
Keep you and your guests cool by installing a misting system that surrounds the interior of your gazebo. Add a gazebo misting system for an estimated cost of $1,000.
Gazebo ceiling fans are another upgrade to keep temperatures comfortable while relaxing outdoors. Add a gazebo ceiling fan for upwards of $700 including the price of the fan and installation. Prices increase if any electrical wiring is needed.
Gazebo chandeliers add elegant outdoor lighting to your gazebo. Chandeliers can be simple designs or intricate styles made from premium materials. Expect to pay around $800 or more to install a gazebo chandelier. If you need any wiring completed, the price increases.
With electrical wiring, you can add lights, ceiling fans, televisions, stereo systems, and more to your gazebo. Add gazebo electrical wiring for approximately $1,900.
The average cost to build a pergola is around $3,100.
Gazebos can be considered small homes in terms of the building process. A foundation or concrete footing 1 is laid, followed by the building of the walls and roof. The structure is then finished inside and out.
Gazebos are stand alone, round structures with a roof and floor. Pergolas 14 are structures used to define a space or sometimes attach two other structures, they have a rudimentary roof made of rafters and no floor.
In some municipalities, you may need a permit to build a gazebo on your property. Sizing is a typical factor in whether you need a permit or not. For instance, your municipality may request a permit if you build a gazebo with measurements larger than 10 ft x 10 ft. Also, you may need a permit if the gazebo is attached to any other permanent structures.
Labor costs are approximately $7,000 for a standard gazebo project. Homeowners should expect to pay at least $70 per hour for carpentry work to build a new gazebo.
Yes, a gazebo adds tremendous value to your home. For starters, installing a gazebo improves outdoor aesthetics and creates a space to entertain guests. Gazebos are also versatile and can be used as part of an outdoor kitchen or a hot tub oasis.
Cost to build a gazebo varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.