Gazebo Cost Breakdown
Materials and labor make up the majority of how much a gazebo costs, but you also need to account for land preparation and extra features.
Materials
The materials to build your gazebo cost anywhere between $2,000 and $8,500 based on the material you choose. Below are the different types of gazebo materials and their respective costs.
Wood: $4,000–$7,000
Metal: $3,000–$8,500
Brick: $2,000–$3,500
Vinyl: $4,000–$7,500
Wooden gazebos are often constructed of cedar, redwood, or bamboo because they hold up well in the elements. Metal gazebos can be aluminum or steel. Vinyl gazebos often look like wood or metal and are low-maintenance and long-lasting.
Size
The size of your gazebo impacts the cost, with prices ranging from $75 to $100 per square foot. Here’s a breakdown of typical gazebo costs based on dimensions.
| Gazebo Dimensions | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 8x8 feet | $4,800–$6,400 |
| 10x10 feet | $7,500–$10,500 |
| 10x12 feet | $9,000–$12,000 |
| 12x12 feet | $10,800–$14,400 |
| 10x20 feet | $15,000–$20,000 |
| 14x20 feet | $21,000–$28,000 |
Shape
Gazebos come in standard octagonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular, round, and oval shapes. You can also design a custom shape, but that usually costs extra and requires a construction design by an architect.
Round: $1,500–$8,000
Oval: $1,500–$8,000
Square or rectangular: $2,000–$12,000
Hexagonal: $3,000–$8,000
Octagonal: $3,500–$8,000
Dodecahedron (12-sided): $7,000–$10,000
Custom vs. Kits
A custom gazebo will cost between $5,000 and $11,000 more to construct than a gazebo kit. This is because a custom gazebo requires much more construction planning and assembly than a standard kit.
Land Preparation
You may need to prepare the ground for your gazebo to ensure the gazebo is level. Leveling your yard costs $1,200 to $4,300, depending on whether you need to remove trees and brush, or level and grade the area. Unless you already have a clear, level spot on your property for installation, plan for land prep costs.
Permits
If you need a building permit to construct your gazebo, anticipate spending up to $150 to acquire one. Not all gazebos will need a permit, but if your structure is 10-by-10 feet or more, there’s a good chance you’ll need one regardless of where you reside. Always check with your municipality’s building department for local requirements before you build.
Gazebo Cost Factors
The cost of building a gazebo depends on how you construct it. Here’s a breakdown of costs based on the level of construction your gazebo requires.
Gazebo Kit
Gazebo kits cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000 on average. You’ll spend an additional $80 to $150 in shipping costs. If you hire a professional to assemble your gazebo, add an extra $300 to $800. You can find gazebo kits at most home improvement stores. They include ready-to-assemble materials and all the hardware components.
Pre-Assembled Gazebo
For a pre-assembled gazebo, anticipate spending between $2,000 and $7,000. These costs are higher than a standard gazebo kit because you don’t need to put it together yourself or hire a pro.
A pre-assembled gazebo is fully built and arrives on a delivery trailer. The company typically helps install the gazebo on your property, such as setting it on a crushed stone base and ensuring it’s level. Though pre-assembled gazebos cost more than a gazebo kit, they’re still more cost-friendly compared to custom-made gazebos.
Custom Gazebo
Labor for a custom gazebo ranges from $1,500 to $9,000, including land preparation, roof installation, construction, and extra features. A custom gazebo requires a construction plan and comes built specifically for your property and design desires, so anticipate paying more than you would for a pre-assembled gazebo.
Construction plans typically cost 10% to 20% of your total budget (typically between $700 and $1,300). The price of a custom gazebo typically also includes these plans, but check with your contractor before signing an agreement.
Additional Gazebo Cost Factors
If you want to add aesthetics or enhancements to your gazebo, these can significantly increase the cost of your project. However, comfortability and a great outdoor space may make these extras worth the cost, so consider the following as you calculate your total expenses.
Staining or Painting
The average cost to stain a gazebo is between $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the type of stain you choose. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of stains and their associated costs:
Water-based stain: $20–$90 per gallon
Oil-based stain: $35–$120 per gallon
Solid stain: $25–$70 per gallon
Clear stain: $20–$60 per gallon
If you prefer painting over staining your gazebo’s wood, the average cost to paint a gazebo is between $2 and $5 per square foot or $40 to $60 per gallon. Oil-based paints come in toward the higher end of this price range but last longer than water-based paints.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost of primer for both staining and painting a gazebo. This adds an extra $15 to $30 per gallon to your budget.
Screening or Enclosing
A screen kit for your gazebo ranges from $500 to $800 at a home improvement store. If you want to enclose your gazebo with glass, it could cost an extra $5,000 to $8,000. A screened gazebo helps keep out bugs and protects furniture and items inside the gazebo.
Extra Features
Adding luxurious and fun features to your gazebo can enhance your enjoyment of the space. Here are some extra elements and their average costs:
Outdoor bar or kitchen cost: $1,000–$50,000
Surrounding deck cost: $4,100–$11,500
Outdoor TV cost (including wiring): $900–$2,000
Electrical outlet cost and wiring: $180–$500
Fire pit cost: $200–$3,000
Misting system cost: $2,000–$3,500
Lighting cost: $2,000–$6,000
Hot tub cost: $2,000–$11,000
Landscaping cost: $1,300–$5,800
Cost to Build a Gazebo Yourself
Building a gazebo yourself costs between $2,000 to $8,500 for the materials alone. A gazebo kit can be a fairly straightforward project because the materials are pre-cut and ready to assemble. It’s helpful to have at least one other adult helping during the construction. For moderately experienced DIYers, building a standard gazebo from a kit takes anywhere from five to 10 hours with two workers.
To build a gazebo from a kit, you’ll also need some tools, including a tape measure, level, cordless drill, wrench, ladder, square, ratchet, gloves, and safety glasses. If you don’t already have these tools, you’ll need to factor in the costs.
In addition, you might need to prepare your land, including ensuring the location is level and can handle the weight of a gazebo. If your land isn’t level, you’ll need to factor in the tools needed to cut, clear, and excavate the land for your gazebo, tacking on an extra $400 in excavation equipment.
Below is a breakdown of the biggest expenses you might encounter in a DIY project:
Gazebo materials: $2,000–$8,500
Excavator rental cost: $100 per hour
Land clearing cost: $40–$100 per cubic foot
Cordless drill: $75–$200
Ladder: $100–$300
Square: $10–$20
Ratchet: $20–$40
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Hiring a local gazebo builder will cost you between $1,500 and $9,000 for the installation and between $700 and $1,300 for the construction plans. While it might be tempting to cut costs by DIYing the job, designing and building a custom gazebo on your own can be much more time-consuming, difficult, and expensive than simply hiring an experienced team to do the job.
To ensure the structure is sound, you’ll need precise measurements, a solid architectural design, quality materials, and robust construction skills. Unless you’re an experienced builder, it’s best to leave custom gazebos up to a professional gazebo builder.
How to Save Money on a Gazebo
Gazebos come with a hefty price tag that might have you scrambling for ways to save. Here are several tips on how to lower the cost of your gazebo:
Prepare the land yourself: If you’re not confident with your building skills but still want to roll up your sleeves and save on expenses, consider clearing out the land yourself. Labor costs for clearing land fall between $100 and $250 per hour, so you could save on those hourly costs for small, manageable sites. For larger excavation projects, you should hire a local excavation company.
Choose a prefabricated gazebo: Avoid a costly custom gazebo and opt for a kit or prefabricated one to avoid paying $700 and $1,300 extra on construction plans. If you have a complicated landscape, you may still need some construction planning, but you still might save on the total cost with a prefab gazebo.
Install your gazebo on a deck: The base of your gazebo can be a costly expense, but if you already have a deck that’s in good condition, you might be able to install the gazebo on the deck, saving time and money.
Jenna Jonaitia contributed to this piece.
