How Much Does It Cost to Build a Gazebo? (A Full Cost Guide)

Building a gazebo is a great option if you’re looking to spruce up your yard or trying to find a way to add some shade. But, it does come with concerns. For example, how much does it cost to build a gazebo?

The average cost of building a gazebo is around $7,000. However, it is possible to build one for less than $500 if you do it yourself, or you can choose to hire a professional and purchase a high-end kit, which can cost up to $30,000.

There are many options when it comes to building a gazebo. So, we’ve put together a guide to show you how to get the gazebo of your dreams without blowing your budget! We’ll discuss costs, kits, DIY tips, and more!

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Outdoor Gazebo Costs

Outdoor gazebos don’t have to cost a ton of money. In fact, if you buy a kit and are willing to put in the work yourself, you can spend about $500 and end up with a gazebo you’re proud to show off to the neighbors! 

However, if you’re not the handy sort, you can also choose to spend a bit more and have an expert do the building for you. And, if you’ve really got extra to spare, you can hire a professional architect to design and build for you.

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Gazebo per Square Foot?

If you hire someone to build an average-sized gazebo for your yard, expect to pay up to $100 per square foot. However, you can often negotiate that price down a bit. 

Additionally, if you are purchasing a kit and not expecting the builder to design the gazebo from scratch, they will typically charge you less as they do not have to make a design. 

However, when you build from a kit, the architect cannot account for your land’s specific gradient and other unique characteristics, which may end up being a problem down the line. 

Potential Problems

For example, if you do not properly prepare your lawn for a gazebo, you may run into issues with improper draining when it rains.

In addition, if you don’t have a strong foundation in place, you can run into issues with water pooling under your gazebo.

Having a strong foundation will also help prevent issues from your gazebo not being properly anchored.

When you have a good foundation, you can choose to weigh down your gazebo, tether it, or build brackets into the foundation for your gazebo to anchor to. 

Another common issue is not planning for the amount of sun, wind, and other weather exposure your gazebo will face.

Even strong, permanent gazebos need proper protection from the elements to ensure they have a long lifespan. 

The best way to mitigate these potential problems is to have a professional architect come out and assess your property.

Even if you don’t use them to build the gazebo, they can point out issues for you to fix before building.

To Do It Yourself or Not

A common question is whether it is cheaper to build your own gazebo or buy a kit. That’s a great question and one that doesn’t have an easy answer. Most will say that building your own from scratch is the cheapest.

However, they don’t always account for the time it takes, the tools necessary to do the job, and the skills needed to do it correctly.

So, let’s break down both options and decide which is best.

Expenses When You Build a Gazebo Yourself

You’ll need to consider the following while planning the build for your gazebo.

• Materials – What will your gazebo be made from? Typically, you can choose from either wood or metal and which you choose matters.  Wood alone will cost you between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on which type you choose. Cheaper options include pine and bamboo, whereas cider and other hardwoods are more costly. Metal can cost between $3,000 and 9,000, again depending on the type chosen. Aluminum and wrought iron are typically less expensive than cast iron and steel. 
• Foundations and flooring – You can use concrete to pour a foundation or use bricks or pavers to line your floor. Additionally, you can choose to lay down wood to make a floor. At this point, you’ll also need to ensure your lawn is level so that your foundation will withstand the elements. 
• Size – While it may seem obvious, we’d be remiss not to mention that the larger your intended gazebo, the more expensive it will be. This is because it will need more materials to build and require more surface area from your lawn. It’s safe to assume that you’ll be paying around $80 to $100 per foot for a finished gazebo.
• Shape – Yes, the shape of your gazebo to be matters when it comes to costs. Again, this comes down to the amount of materials needed to build. Making a straightforward circular gazebo will typically cost less than multi-sided models, which require more materials and time. 
• Roof – Are you planning on adding a roof to your gazebo? Will it be made from fabric, vinyl, or wood? Will it have shingles, or will it need gutters? It’s no wonder that adding a roof can add over $1,000 to your build total.
• Screens – Do you want your gazebo to be enclosed or have screens? Or will it be open to the elements? Of course, keeping it open is the cheapest solution, but if you want to add screens, expect to pay at least $500 for a screen kit.

Whether you build your gazebo yourself, purchase a kit, or just hire an architect, one other expense to consider is the permits necessary for building!

Permits can sometimes cost upwards of $100, and you may need extra if you plan on having electricity!

Expenses When You Build a Gazebo From a Kit

You’ll need to consider the following when you decide to build your gazebo using a kit:

• The kit itself – Obviously, which kit you choose will be one of the most significant factors in how much the gazebo will cost to build. Gazebo kits typically cost between $2,000 and $8,000.
• Foundations – The kit won’t include concrete or other foundations for your new gazebo. You’ll still need to clean and clear the area and ensure you have a flat, stable surface to build on. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure there is adequate drainage for your new gazebo.
• Labor – depending on where you buy the kit, it may or may not come with professional installation. If it doesn’t, you’ll either need to build it yourself or pay someone else to assemble it for you.
• Tools – If your kit doesn’t come with installation or pre-fabricated, you’ll need the tools necessary to actually build the gazebo. 
• Extras – If your kit doesn’t come with screens, windows, or other extras you think you’ll want, be sure to factor those into the final costs. Adding screens alone can cost at least $500.

More on Labor and Materials

We’ve already mentioned the costs of labor and materials, but they deserve to be talked about in more detail. For example, you need to know how much people charge to build a gazebo.

This does depend a bit on where you live and the specifics of your gazebo.

In general, however, for an all-inclusive gazebo build, you can expect to spend over $7,000.

This will include labor and materials, so if you’re not handy, it may be worth it to you to spend a bit extra but not have to do the work yourself.

Common Costs Associated with Labor

So, what are the labor costs to custom-build a gazebo? If you hire an architect to design and build you a gazebo, expect to pay for it.

They will charge you for the custom plans needed to ensure you get the gazebo you’re imagining. 

Additionally, an architect will charge for the following:

• Planning – Making custom plans that fit your vision of a perfect gazebo requires time and knowledge of building. They will draw up blueprints and converse with you about what you’re looking for. They may need to access your property to take measurements and ensure everything is in place for the building.
• Land Preparation – Getting your land prepared for a new building isn’t always easy. They’ll need to level the yard and prepare it for a foundation. 
• Construction – Once plans are complete and approved, the architect will need to do the actual build. 
• Roofing – Many gazebos have open rooves, so expect to pay extra if you want a shingled roof or if you want to add gutters to the top.
• Other Extras – If you want screens, built-in windows or benches, or other various extras, the architect should be able to accommodate you, but it will also cost extra.

You can avoid a number of these extras by purchasing a pre-fabricated gazebo and hiring a builder or architect to install it for you.

Many consider this the best option as it ensures a quality, sturdy build without the hassle of custom orders. 

However, you may still have to pay extra for the land preparation and foundation build unless you are comfortable doing that part yourself.

In addition, failure to properly prepare your land can lead to several issues down the line.

You might also enjoy our post on Are Gazebos Safe in Wind?

Difficulty Ratings

It doesn’t have to be hard to build a gazebo yourself. Especially if you purchase a build-kit, you’ll have the instructions you need in order to ensure it’s built correctly. However, if you decide to purchase just the materials, you should have a solid plan before just starting to build.

While you can learn how to build a gazebo, ensure you’re following the laws regarding building a new permanent structure in your yard.

Some homeowners associations and local laws may prevent you from building it yourself.

Take Your Time and Do It Right

How long it takes to build a gazebo yourself depends on the type of gazebo. For example, you can set up a pop-up gazebo in as little as 15 minutes, but it’s not sturdy and won’t typically be up for long. 

A permanent gazebo, however, is a much more intensive process. If you decide to build a concrete foundation for it, that alone takes a week to dry properly before you can start building the actual gazebo. 

You’ll typically want at least two people during construction for safety. Plus, some of these objects are quite heavy and will require at least two people to hold it in place and secure it.

Once the foundation is ready, it will take two people around ten hours total to complete the build. This number will fluctuate depending on the experience of the builders, the materials, and whether or not the weather cooperates!

You don’t want to rush the build if you’re doing it all yourself. Failure to take your time may result in the bracing not being completed correctly, which can end up being dangerous.

Final Thoughts

Building a gazebo can get expensive if you want top-of-the-line everything, but generally, you can typically build a quality one for about $7,000. You may even pay less if you are confident in your architectural skills. 

No matter how you end up going about it, taking your time, planning out what you want, and doing the job properly are the most important parts.

Failure to do so will result in a less-than-stellar gazebo and may negatively impact your yard and property values.

Additionally, if it’s not built up to code, it may not pass inspection, which will just end up costing you more money.

So, make sure you have all the necessary permits in place and you get the job done the first time properly, so you can enjoy your gazebo for years to come!