Home Home Designs Building House Home Maintenance Lifestyle Buy/Sell/Rent
Building House
Pergolas Melbourne
Pergolas construction in Melbourne could be DIY project.
"Should I build pergola myself or not to build, this is the question...".
No, this is not the dilemma of Hamlet but the problem many Australian home owners try to answer.
When you build pergola yourself then you definitely safe money. In most cases you can safe 50% of the price.
If you decide to build pergola yourself then you need to consider:
- How much time you can dedicate
- How many people can and are able to help (generally for small projects you need 2)
- Do you buy or hire the tools
- Extra cost for transport of materials
- Use pre-cut (pergola kits) or DIY all the way
DIY pergolas are definitely cheaper but do not aim to assemble them in 15 days. If you are full time working then consider 1-4 months of labour.
Styles of Pergolas in Melbourne
There are two basic types of pergolas:
- free standing pergolas
- attached to the house pergolas
Both pergola types are similar in construction. The free standing pergola structure requires more posts and is usually more expensive.
You must check building authorities and city council about the plans and limitations of pergola structures. As for the pergolas style - you need to check also your housing estates' regulations. There are generally two structure styles for pergola:
- Timber pergolas are the most popular. The wooden-character of the structure provides specific feel for the outdoor life. However, wooden frames are also the cheapest. A lot of people safe money buying wooden rather then aluminium material.
- Aluminium frame pergolas becoming ever more popular. Although the wooden-frame pergolas are cheaper they do require expensive maintenance in future. Aluminium frame pergolas with powder coating are maintenance free.
Erecting Pergolas
Pergolas width must follow building regulations. Therefore, always check building requirements and estate contract against your pergola plans. Generally, you need to:
- Prepare the site for pergola
- Set the posts
- Fix the rafters
- Fix the rafters to the beams
- Add battens
Check your site plan that there is no water, easement, pipes and sewerage. Lay your pergola plan using strings.
If the pergola is house fixed then lay the post holding strings along the site of the house. For free standing pergola lay out the posts on two sites.
Dig the post holes to accommodate 300mmX300mmX450 concrete pad for the post stirrup bracket.
For free standing pergola the hole should be bigger for better stability.
Pour the concrete into the hole and align stirrup bracket in the centre. Allow 75mm clearance between the bottom of the post and the ground.
With the aid of the string line, trim the posts. Measure and cut the rafters to the desired length.
Fix the rafters with framing anchors. Each anchor should be 900mm apart and at the centre of the beam.
Remember, to always use galvanised bolts and nails when fixing rafters to the brackets. Finally, add battens to hold the shade cloths.
Suppliers and Pergola Builders in Melbourne
A lot of pergola builders and suppliers provide other services such as: verandahs, decking, carports and sheds.
- MrCarports - pergola builder - does both in timber and aluminium. Good selection of custom made designs since 1991.
- Pergolas R Us - Pergolas Melbourne supplier with a good reputation. Also builds gazebos, timber decking, alfresco and carports.
- Stylish Decks - Pergolas Melbourne supplier who also builds water features, BBQ stands and landscaping.
Pergola Prices
You can expect to pay $5000 today for a powder coated pergola made of aluminium, which covers 16 square meters of area. This price includes:
- labour,
- materials
- building permit.