Kit and bespoke timber pergolas and gazebos for outdoor living
Pergolas and Gazebos
A pergola is an open timber (or similar) framed structure, usually with a slatted or partially open roof, built over a patio or walkway to provide partial shade and structure, while a gazebo is a fully-roofed freestanding garden structure — both can be supplied as a kit or built bespoke to fit a specific space.
Definition
What Pergolas & Gazebos covers
Pergolas and gazebos are garden structures used to define and enhance outdoor living space. A kit pergola or gazebo is a manufactured, pre-designed structure installed to the manufacturer's specification, while a bespoke structure is designed and built to fit a specific space, roof pitch or attachment to the house, typically at greater cost but with more design flexibility.
Suitable for
- Defining and covering an outdoor dining or seating area
- Supporting climbing plants over a patio or walkway
- Households wanting a distinct garden structure rather than a full extension
- Sites where a bespoke design is needed to fit an awkward space or match the house
Not suitable for
- Fully enclosed, insulated garden rooms intended for year-round habitable use (a different build type, closer to an outbuilding)
- Sites where foundations cannot be safely dug due to underground services or tree roots, without further investigation
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Design and structure choice
Agreeing whether a kit or bespoke structure suits the space, budget and how it will be used.
- 02
Groundworks and footings
Setting out and installing post footings sized for the structure and any roof loading.
- 03
Construction
Erecting the frame and roof, and fixing securely to the footings and, where relevant, the house.
- 04
Finishing
Treating or finishing timber, and fitting any roofing, louvres or lighting agreed as part of the job.
Typical timescale
A kit pergola or gazebo typically takes a few days to install once footings are in; a bespoke structure takes longer to design and build, from around a week upward depending on size and complexity. Confirmed in your quotation.
Cost guidance
Pergolas and gazebos typically cost £1,500–£6,000 per job in our area, with a manufactured kit structure sitting toward the lower end and a bespoke, larger or house-attached design toward the top. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Structures attached to the house may need to satisfy Building Regulations depending on size and use
- Electrics for lighting or heating are quoted and installed as a separate qualified electrical job
- Planning permission may apply for larger structures or those close to a boundary, depending on your property and local rules
Areas we cover
Pergolas & Gazebos across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for pergolas & gazebos in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Pergolas & Gazebos FAQs
What's the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?
A pergola is typically an open-roofed structure — slatted, louvred or lattice — built over a patio or walkway to give partial shade and support for planting, while a gazebo is fully roofed and usually freestanding, offering more complete weather protection.
Is a kit pergola cheaper than a bespoke one?
Generally yes — a manufactured kit is designed to standard dimensions and is quicker to install, whereas a bespoke structure is designed and built to fit your exact space and specification, which takes more design and construction time and typically costs more.
Do I need planning permission for a pergola or gazebo?
Many garden structures fall under permitted development, but this depends on size, height, proximity to boundaries and whether your property has any planning restrictions — we confirm the position for your specific garden before work starts.
Discuss your pergolas & gazebos project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.