How Much Does It Cost to Build a Gazebo?

Building a gazebo on your property costs $1,500 to $11,000, with pre-built gazebo kits costing $1,500 to $7,000 and custom-builds pricing out to $5,000 to $11,000. Many factors influence these price ranges, such as materials, size, accessibility, and additional features.

Gazebo Price by Material

The materials used in the construction of your preferred gazebo impact the overall cost. Here are common materials used in gazebos, some pros and cons, and cost ranges.

Wood

Purchasing enough wood for a gazebo costs $4,000 to $7,000, but this cost largely depends on the type of wood you choose. Wooden gazebos are attractive and durable but require significant maintenance. 

• Pine: This material falls on the lower side of the cost spectrum, but offers slightly reduced durability when compared to other types of wood. 

• Tropical hardwood and redwood: These materials are more expensive than pine, costing $4,800–$7,000, but offer improved durability and fewer maintenance requirements. 

• Cedar: This expensive type of wood costs $6,000–$7,000, but further increases durability and features an aroma that is pleasant to many outdoor enthusiasts. 

• Bamboo: This sustainable material is on the inexpensive side at $4,600–$6,000, but shrinks and cracks when exposed to long bouts of extreme weather. 

Metal

Sourcing enough metal for a gazebo or a similar structure costs $3,000 to $8,500, though this price depends entirely on the type of metal you choose. 

• Aluminum: This relatively inexpensive option prices out to $4,500–$6,000 and offers high durability. However, aluminum struggles in harsh weather conditions. 

• Wrought iron: You’ll pay $3,000–$8,000 to build a gazebo out of wrought iron, but this material is long-lasting, despite offering decreased protection from the elements. 

• Cast iron: You’ll pay $5,300–$8,500 for a cast iron gazebo, which is more expensive than wrought iron. For this price, however, you’ll get increased durability, decreased maintenance requirements, and eye-turning aesthetics. 

• Steel: This expensive material costs $7,000–$9,000, but offers the highest durability of all metal types and the ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. Steel is also highly versatile and steel gazebos integrate nicely with various modification options. 

Brick

Brick gazebos cost $3,200 to $5,000 and offer some serious benefits when compared to other materials. Brick makes for exceptionally durable gazebos that retain heat, making this a great choice for cold climates. 

Brick is also available in various hues and requires little maintenance. Despite the increased durability of brick gazebos, they struggle in earthquake-prone regions of the country, as seismic events cause the mortar to crack and crumble. 

Vinyl

Building a vinyl gazebo costs $4,000 to $7,500 and offers increased versatility, as vinyl mimics the look of other materials such as wood, brick, and metal. Vinyl requires little maintenance but is susceptible to mold growth over time. Vinyl gazebos do well in hot temperatures and naturally resist both pests and corrosion.

How Much Do Gazebo Kits Cost?

Gazebo kits are available to simplify the building and installation process. A typical gazebo kit that requires assembly costs $1,500 to $4,000, plus $80 to $150 for shipping and $300 to $800 for professional assembly. 

These prefab gazebo kits also ship fully assembled, costing $2,000 to $7,000. Gazebo kits offer fewer style choices and options when compared to custom models, but are also less expensive and easier to install. 

Gazebo Kits vs. Custom Gazebos

Custom gazebos are more expensive than kits, at $5,000 to $11,000. However, custom builds allow homeowners to change nearly every design aspect to suit their liking. Custom gazebos allow for the mixing and matching of materials, such as wood floors and metal roofs, and offer some truly unique possibilities for those with the money. 

Price Factors for Gazebo or Pavilion Construction

Besides construction materials, there are plenty of cost factors worth considering when gathering estimates to build a gazebo on your property. 

Shape

There is a large variety of common gazebo shapes, including octagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, square, triangle, and oval. Less common shapes include L-shaped and dodecahedron. Each gazebo shape includes specific price ranges, as seen below.

Size

The size of the gazebo is a primary cost factor, as larger models require more materials and additional labor to build. You’ll pay $75 to $100 per square foot to build a gazebo, depending on the materials used. 

With that in mind, a standard 8-by-8 foot gazebo costs $1,500 to $5,300 and a much larger 15-by-20 foot gazebo costs $7,000 to $13,000. Talk to your pro if you require size considerations outside of the norm. 

Roof Installation

Installing a custom roof on your gazebo costs $1,000 to $3,000, though prefab roof kits are more affordable at $600 to $900. 

Gazebo roofs are available with many of the amenities found with housebound roofs, including architectural shingles, wood shakes, and drainage systems. Adding a roof to your structure presents multiple benefits, such as protection from the elements and added privacy. 

Open vs. Enclosed or Screened

Simple screen kits for gazebos cost $500 to $800. These kits are adjustable, easy to install, and help to provide protection against the elements and bugs. More advanced builds with designs similar to patio enclosures cost much more, from $8,500 to $23,000, depending on materials, size, accessibility, and other factors. Adding glass walls costs $5,000 to $8,000 but provides see-through weather protection.

Flooring Material

Gazebo flooring is relatively inexpensive at $100 to $200. This price range depends largely on the type of material used on the floor. 

Permits

Some areas require a building permit to install a gazebo, depending on the size of the fixture. You’ll pay around $450 for one of these permits and local building codes dictate where on your property the structure stands and how large and tall it can be. 

Check with city officials before beginning construction and talk to your pro about permits and building codes. 

Extra Features

Outfit your gazebo with extra features to make it as luxurious or as simple as you like. Modern gazebos allow for custom seating designs, benches, swings, and plenty of high-tech add-ons.

Here are some of the common features homeowners add when installing a gazebo on their property:  

• Electrical wires and outlets: If you want appliances in your gazebo, such as a TV, you need working electricity. Installing electrical wiring and outlets costs $180 to $500. 

• Outdoor TV: Installing a television outdoors costs $900 to $2,000, and this price includes wiring, mounting, and the appliance itself. 

• Misting system: Cool off the area surrounding your gazebo with some light moisture. Installing an outdoor misting system costs $1,900 to $3,000. 

• Bar and kitchen: Take your entertaining to the next level with a bar and kitchen in your gazebo. Installing a bar with a kitchen costs $3,500 to $18,000, but this price fluctuates depending on size, appliances, and features. 

Average Cost to Build a Pavilion

Building a pavilion costs $3,000 to $12,000, on average, with larger structures ballooning up to $25,000 in rare instances. Materials make up $1,000 to $5,000 of the overall cost with labor representing $2,000 to $7,000. Just like gazebos, pavilions are available as kits or as custom builds. 

Pavilions are slightly more expensive than gazebos due to larger form factors, despite providing the same shelter. Cement flooring and other add-ons increase the budget.

Size

As with any installation, the size of the structure impacts the overall price, as labor and material needs increase. The average cost to build a 9-foot pavilion is $3,500 to $5,000, with costs increasing as you add more square footage. For instance, building a 30-by-50 foot pavilion costs $15,000 to $25,000. 

Shape

The vast majority of pavilions are rectangular so as to provide the maximum amount of coverage. However, pavilions are also available in various shapes and designs to suit different consumers. 

These shapes do not necessarily impact the overall cost, though they increase or decrease the overall size, which does determine the price. Talk to your contractor about specific pavilion shapes and how that impacts your estimate. 

Cement Flooring

Many homeowners prefer natural flooring for pavilions, meaning simple grass or soil. Some prefer cement flooring, however, as it stands up better to extreme weather and lasts a long time before needing maintenance or repairs. Cement flooring costs $2 to $14 per square foot, depending on grade, type, and aesthetic flourishes. 

Gazebo and Pavilion Repair and Maintenance Costs

Gazebo and pavilion repairs cost $500 to $1,900, depending on the repair issue. For instance, repairing or replacing a gazebo roof costs $300 to $800. Replacing rotten posts affiliated with a wood gazebo costs $150 to $500 and patching up a screen costs around $50. 

Reduce the number of repair calls by conducting regular maintenance on your gazebo or pavilion. Pressure washing your gazebo costs $60 to $100 per hour and resealing wood finishes cost $3 to $8 per square foot. These tasks, along with roof and gutter cleaning, extend the life of your structure. 

DIY Gazebo Construction vs. Hiring a Pro

Labor accounts for around $1,500 of the overall cost to build and install a gazebo, but this depends on the complexity and design of the project. As for DIY builds, gazebo kits and prefab units are amateur-friendly, but custom builds demand significant experience and expensive equipment. 

Additionally, gazebo installers run into a variety of issues that impede progress, such as acquiring permits, making sure the structure is up to code, and opting for professional land grading to ensure the structure will hold. 

Leave these tasks to a gazebo builder in your area to avoid missteps during construction and to maximize the lifespan of the gazebo or pavilion.

FAQs

Does a gazebo add value to your home?

Gazebos certainly add value to your home, providing they are adequately constructed and well maintained. Installing a gazebo improves outdoor aesthetics and adds another space for entertaining guests, both of which add up to a significant ROI.  

What is the difference between a gazebo and a pergola?

Gazebos are stand-alone structures with a roof and floor and many include additional amenities like electricity and full kitchens. Pergolas, on the other hand, typically attach to other structures or parts of the home. This allows pergolas to get by with minimal flooring and simple roofs made up of rafters. 

Do I need a permit to build a gazebo?

In certain parts of the country, a permit is required to build a gazebo on your property, though this primarily depends on the size. For instance, smaller gazebos may not require permits but structures larger than 10-by-10 feet will require building permits. Each municipality differs in this regard, so contact your local regulatory agency for more information. 

Where can I find a gazebo kit for sale?

Gazebo kits are sold at various online marketplaces, big-box home goods stores, and even at hardware stores. Additionally, reputable contractors have connections with wholesalers that also sell these kits.