Pergola pricing is the question we get asked first, before anyone asks about roof types or materials. It is also the one most builders dodge with "depends on your site" answers. Here are the real installed numbers we work to in 2026, from a fully licensed building company on the South Coast of South Australia. Every figure on this page is including GST.
We have kept this article tightly focused on price. If you want the planning and design side of the build, our companion article What you need to know before building a pergola covers it in depth.
Quick answer: how much does a pergola cost?
In 2026, for a standard installed gable pergola from Universal Building Group:
- 3 by 3 metre gable pergola: starts at $6,000 to $8,000 (including GST)
- 6 by 4 metre gable pergola: starts at $10,000 to $13,000 (including GST)
Both figures cover materials, labour, council application, delivery, the site visit, and rubbish removal at the end. They are starting prices, so think of them as the realistic floor for that footprint with our standard inclusions. Add-ons and premium materials sit on top.
What "installed" actually covers
When you see an installed pergola price, you should expect it to include everything between you and a finished structure:
- The initial site visit and measure-up
- Council application paperwork and fees
- An engineering certificate signed by a structural engineer
- All materials (posts, beams, rafters, battens, roof sheets, fixings)
- All on-tools labour
- Delivery of materials to your site
- Rubbish removal at the end of the job
Our pricing always includes those line items, and every figure we quote is GST-inclusive. If a quote you receive elsewhere does not, ask about each one before you compare.
What changes the price
The starting figures above assume a typical gable pergola with our standard inclusions. A few things can lift the price meaningfully:
- Roof material. Standard Colorbond Trimdek is the default. Polycarbonate (filtered light) and shadecloth (full airflow) are similar territory. Louvered roofs are the premium choice and the biggest single upgrade you can make.
- Post material. Treated pine is the default. Heavier 125 by 125 posts, Australian hardwoods, or galvanised steel posts all add cost in exchange for a different look or load capacity.
- Height. Standard height is 2.7 metres. Anything above 3 metres triggers a tall-pergola surcharge because of the engineering and the labour to install at height.
- Attached vs freestanding. Attached pergolas use your house wall as a support via a ledger, so they need fewer posts and footings. Freestanding is the more flexible choice but slightly more material.
- Accessories. Outdoor ceiling fans, weatherproof power points, fluorescent or LED lighting, privacy slat screens and gutter colours all add on top of the structural price.
- Site complexity. Sloped sites, restricted access, existing structures to remove, or unusual soil types can all move the number.
If you want the price for your exact configuration, open the 3D Designer and the calculation runs in real time as you choose options. The number that comes back is the same one we would quote on paper, GST included.
Save money by combining a pergola with a deck
If you are thinking about both a deck and a pergola, doing them together is meaningfully more cost-effective than booking them as two separate jobs. Here is why:
- One site visit instead of two
- One council application instead of two (the paperwork covers a "deck and pergola" combined structure)
- One engineering certificate signed off once
- Shared labour mobilisation. Our team is on your property for a continuous build instead of two separate visits weeks apart.
- Material delivery in one drop rather than two
For a homeowner who wants the full outdoor entertaining setup, the combined-build saving usually covers a meaningful chunk of one of the upgrades you were going to add anyway (fan, lighting, premium board). Worth designing the combo from day one even if you only want one half built immediately, so the design is ready when the budget is.
How to get a real quote for your specific build
Two options, both free and no-obligation:
1. Sketch it in the 3D Designer. Open the designer and drag the footprint to match your space, pick the roof and posts, add the accessories. The quote comes back in real time. About ten minutes from cold start.
2. Talk to us first. Get in touch and we will work through it on the phone or arrange a site visit. Useful if your site is unusual or you want a second opinion before you start sketching.
Either way the number we send you is the number we would put on a written quote. Every figure is GST-inclusive. We do not bait-and-switch.
Frequently asked questions
Are the prices including GST?
Yes. Every figure on this page and every number on our quotes is GST-inclusive. The number on the quote is the number on the invoice.
Do you build pergolas across the South Coast and Fleurieu?
Yes, we build right across the South Coast and Fleurieu Peninsula. Victor Harbor, Encounter Bay, Goolwa, Middleton, Port Elliot, Hindmarsh Island, Yankalilla, Normanville and Aldinga are all within our regular service area.
How long does a pergola take to build?
A typical residential pergola in the size ranges above is on-site for one to two weeks once the council approval is back. The bulk of the lead time is the council application itself, which usually adds two to four weeks before we can start building.
Do I need council approval for a pergola?
In South Australia, residential pergolas attached to a dwelling almost always require a council application. We handle the paperwork as part of every quote.
Can I see examples of your previous work?
Yes. Browse recent projects to see real backyards across the South Coast.
Ready to get a real number for your build?
The fastest way is the 3D Designer. The quote you see at the end is the quote we would write on paper, using the same materials, the same labour rates, and the same fixed costs (council, delivery, rubbish removal) you read about above. GST included as standard.
If you would rather talk it through first, contact us and we will help you scope it.
We are Universal Building Group. Builder's Licence BLD319926. Fully licensed and insured, building across the South Coast of South Australia since 2020.
