Step-by-step guide

Build a pergola — step by step

Create an outdoor room with an airy pergola in light-coloured wood.

This is a complete guide to build a pergola yourself — step by step, with a material list, tools, a timeline and what it costs. It's written for anyone building at home without professional experience: count on 2–3 weekends and a material cost of around 8,000–18,000 kr.

Showing method: Free-standing on concrete piers

DifficultyIntermediate

Time2–3 weekends

Estimated material cost8,000–18,000 kr

The price is an estimate based on typical material prices and can vary depending on size, material choice, location and store.

Build a pergola – Free-standing on concrete piers

Choose a method

Which method suits you best?

Best for: In the middle of the lawn or over a seating area with no nearby wall.

Please note: Material quantities, prices and building methods are guidelines. Always check current prices, local regulations and product instructions before starting a project.

How a pergola comes together

Materials for a pergola — full list

Check items off while you shop — the list stays with you on the page.

7 steps

Build a pergola step by step

01
Decide on size and location
A common size is 3 × 3 metres and 2.4 metres high. Mark the corners with stakes — walk around and see if the proportions feel right.
Tip: Stand under an imaginary pergola before you start digging — it's surprisingly revealing.
02
Dig and set the piers
Dig four holes, 70 cm deep. Set the piers and check they're at exactly 90 degrees to each other. Measure the diagonals — they should match.
03
Erect the posts
Screw the post brackets into the piers and raise the posts. Brace with diagonal props until everything is fitted. Check the plumb line from two directions on each post.
04
Fit the long beams
Lift the long beams into place and screw them to the tops of the posts with coach screws. An extra pair of hands is worth its weight in gold for this step.
05
Lay the short beams on top
The short beams sit across the long beams and are fixed with angle brackets. Measure so they're evenly spaced — they're what give the pergola its character.
06
Lay the slats
The slats run across the short beams and give the pergola its lovely grid pattern. Mark the spacing (usually 25–30 cm) on both beams before screwing them down.
Tip: Better to have fewer slats with an even rhythm than many placed carelessly.
07
Sand and finish
Lightly sand all visible edges and apply a wood oil or a soft stain. Two coats the first time, then once a year after that.

This helps me

Help specific to build a pergola

How the time breaks down

A 3×3 m pergola takes 2–3 weekends — most time goes into the piers and hanging the beams safely.

Marking out, digging 4 holes3–4 hours
Setting piers & posts plumb3–4 hours
Fitting long beams (two people)1.5–2 hours
Laying short beams with angle brackets2 hours
Slats + sanding3 hours
Staining/oiling (two coats)2 hours + drying time

How to save time

Hire a motorised earth auger for 350 kr/day — four holes take 30 minutes instead of half a day.
Get a second person to help lifting the long beams — it halves both the time and the risk.
Pre-assemble the slat section on the ground if possible — then lift it up finished.

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers about build a pergola

How do you build a pergola?

A pergola adds shade, structure and a sense of room in the middle of the garden. It's surprisingly simple to build if you follow a clear plan. Here we build a free-standing pergola with four posts — perfect over a seating area. The guide breaks the work into 7 steps — you start with decide on size and location, dig and set the piers and erect the posts and work your way forward at your own pace.

How much does it cost to build a pergola?

Material cost is typically 8,000–18,000 kr. Total cost 8,000–18,000 kr depending on timber. Pressure-treated pine is cheapest, larch roughly double the price. The biggest items are posts 95×95 mm (4 pcs of 3 m) 1,200–2,400 kr, beams 45×145 mm (4 pcs of 4 m) 1,500–3,000 kr and slats 28×70 mm (12–16 pcs) 600–1,200 kr. The price varies with size, material choice, location and store.

What materials do you need for a pergola?

You'll need things like posts 95 × 95 mm pressure-treated, beams 45 × 145 mm pine, slats 28 × 70 mm, post brackets and concrete piers — the full material list with quantities is in the guide and can be checked off while you shop. Tools you'll need at home: drill, jigsaw or mitre saw, long spirit level and ladder.

How long does it take and how hard is it?

Count on 2–3 weekends for a pergola. A 3×3 m pergola takes 2–3 weekends — most time goes into the piers and hanging the beams safely. The difficulty level is moderate, so you can manage it without professional experience if you follow the steps in order.

Which method should I choose for a pergola?

There are 3 common ways to build it: free-standing on concrete piers, wall-mounted against the house facade and ground screws instead of piers. Choose a method at the top of the page — the guide, material list and cost then adapt to that solution.

What's the most common mistake?

The mistakes we see most often: not bracing the posts properly — the pergola goes crooked before the beams are on, cutting the beams too early — measure the final length only once the posts are up and too many slats casting too much shade — start sparser than you think you need. Read through the whole guide once before you start — that way you'll avoid most of them.