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Pergola costs guide Australia

How Much Does a Pergola Cost?

Looking to build a pergola and want to get a better sense of the costs involved?

Just like anything around the house, the cost of installing a pergola can vary dramatically between different companies. Factors such as the quality of materials used in construction, experience of the pergola builder, size of the pergola, and the type of pergola that you choose can all have a significant bearing on costs. 

In this article, we’ll look at the average cost of building a pergola in Australia, when you’ll need a permit, and the factors that you need to consider when weighing up quotes from different builders.

Average Pergola Costs in Australia

The average cost of building a pergola in Australia ranges from $10,000 to $22,000+ depending on the size, type, and scope of the build. 

The cost of building a carport will depend on the quality of materials, experience of the builder, and the complexity of the build. Other factors such as the size and layout of your property will also have a significant bearing on the installation labour costs.  

Pergola price guide by size

Single flat roof pergola: ~$10,000

Double flat roof pergola: ~$18,000

Single gable roof pergola: ~$15,000

Double gable roof pergola: ~$22,000

average pergola costs in australia

Indicative cost breakdown for a custom pergola in Australia

Materials are the biggest cost when building a custom pergola in Australia. Of course, you can find cheap DIY pergola kits online, but it’s important to compare apples to apples. DIY carport kits are not made to fit your space which means labour costs go up in order to accommodate out-of-the-box designs. 

Materials: 60% 

Labour: 30%

Permit, plans & design: 10%

As a general guide, materials are around 60% of the cost, followed by labour at 30%, and permit and design planning at 10%.

Do You Need Council Approval for a Pergola?

Whether or not you’ll require council approval to build a pergola will depend on where you live. Below is a breakdown of permission requirements by different states and territories in Australia.

South Australia

Council approval is generally required when building a pergola in South Australia. SA’s guidance for council approval applies to any structure with a roofed area:

Council approval for a pergola is required when:

  • The roof area exceeds 15m² (10m² if in a Historic Conservation Zone)
  • The height is 2.5 metres or higher, above natural ground level
  • The distance between supporting posts exceeds 3 metres
  • The pergola is attached to another structure. I.e. existing building or fence.
  • The pergola obstructs the sunlight exposure or view of a neighbouring property
  • Whenever a property is located within a heritage-listed area

 

Fees when building a pergola In South Australia

Building assessment for structures like pergolas are charged at $149 or 0.25% of the total development cost (whichever is greater).

Queensland

Queensland is one of the most relaxed states when it comes to building approval requirements for a pergola. 

Building approval for a pergola in Queensland is generally not required when:

  • Less than 10m² in size
  • The pergola is in a residential zone
  • It is not impacted by a relevant overlay
  • It is not impacted by a neighbourhood plan

 

Fees when building a pergola in QLD

Pergolas are classed as Class 10a structures in QLD and building approval is handled through a private building certifier rather than directly through council. Fees are set by individual certifiers and will vary.

New South Wales

Building a pergola in NSW generally does not require local council approval so long as it complies with local development standards. Some local councils will have different rules depending on conservation, heritage status, and public land zoning. 

Always check with your local council before building, however, as an indicator, a building permit is not required for a pergola in NSW when the following criteria is met:

Floor area must not exceed:

  • 20m², on lots with an area of 300m² or less, or
  • 50m², for lots larger than 300m² in rural zones and residential Zone R5, or
  • 25m², for lots larger than 300m² in other zones.


The pergola must not be higher than 3m above ground level (existing).

Fees when building a pergola in NSW 

Where a complying development certificate is required, fees are set by the certifying authority. These fees are reviewed annually so check with your local council before building.

Victoria

Building a pergola in Victoria will require council approval for any structures that exceed the following limits:

  • The floor area is more than 10m²
  • The structure is taller than 3m or 2.4m
  • The structure is within 1 metre of the boundary line
  • The pergola is being built at the front of the property, in-front of the main house

Fees: Fees for building a pergola in Victoria are determined using a tiered system for pergolas/Class 10a structures. Building permit fees for pergolas are:

  • $815: for builds under $5,000
  • $1,105: for builds between $5,001 – $10,000
  • $1,810: for builds between $10,001 – $20,000
  • $2,085: for builds over $20,001


The Victorian state government also imposes a building permit levy that is payable on projects valued over $10,000.

Western Australia

A development approval is required for all pergolas in Western Australia.

Fees when building a permit in WA

Building permit fees in WA are calculated at 0.32% of the projected construction cost for residential work and outbuildings, with a minimum fee of $110. A Building Services Levy of 0.137% of the construction value (minimum $61.65) also applies on top of this.

Note

Please note that all of the guidance, fees, and criteria mentioned above are provided for indicative research purposes. The exact planning and approval framework as well as associated fees for building a carport will be determined on a case-by-case basis. It is important to check with your local council before building a pergola to ensure that you are following the correct planning protocols and any applicable approvals are met and fees are paid.

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