(open pine gazebo, single roof)
( vinyl walled gazebo with screens, double roof)
Cost to build a gazebo varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from deck, patio and porch contractors in your city.
The average cost of installing a gazebo is $7,500 - $10,000.
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
Material | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Wrought Iron ($3,000) | Very inexpensive, long lasting | Fewer options, not as much roofing or protection from the elements, more open |
Pine ($4,800) | Inexpensive, many options available | Requires lots of maintenance, does not last as long |
Red Cedar ($6,000) | Long lasting, aromatic wood | Requires staining and regular maintenance |
Vinyl ($6,800) | Very long lasting, little maintenance | Fewer design options, expensive |
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.
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.
Material | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Composite decking ($600) | Low maintenance material that works well with vinyl 2 gazebos | Not as many style or color options, if penetrated, may swell with moisture |
Brick ($2,000-$4,000) | Very low maintenance and attractive | Expensive, yard may require some leveling 3 first |
Patio pavers ($2,000-$4,000) | Can match existing patio nearby, low maintenance | Expensive, yard may require some leveling 3 first |
Stamped concrete ($3,450) | Can match existing patio nearby, low maintenance | Expensive, yard may require leveling 3 |
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:
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 6 are structures used to define a space or sometimes attach two other structures, they have a rudimentary roof made of rafters and no floor.
Cost to build a gazebo varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.