Buying advice
Installed pergola vs DIY kit: what’s the difference?
Reviewed by the Impact Outdoors Team
A flat-pack pergola kit looks cheaper on the shelf. Whether it is cheaper once it’s standing in your backyard depends on your site, your tools and your weekends. Here is a straight comparison so you can decide.
Side by side
| Professionally installed | DIY kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Size and fit | Measured on site and built to your exact width, projection and height, including odd angles and attaching to the house. | Comes in a few fixed sizes. If your space falls between them you either leave a gap or modify the kit yourself. |
| Building consent | We help you work out whether your structure needs consent before work is booked. | Checking and applying for consent is up to you, and so is any engineering a council asks for. |
| Footings and fixing | Footings are set for your ground conditions and the frame is fixed into the house properly, with flashings so water doesn’t get behind the cladding. | Kits often assume a flat slab or deck. Footings, fixings into the house and flashings are usually extra, and are your responsibility. |
| Weather ratings | Our Elite Canopy is rated to 160 km/h wind and 50 cm of snow, and our Opening Louvre roof to 200 km/h wind and 80 cm of snow. | Ratings vary and are often for ideal installation. A kit is only as strong as the way it’s put together and anchored. |
| Warranty | Our Elite Canopies and Opening Louvres carry a 10-year structural warranty, and because we install them, there’s one company responsible if anything goes wrong. | The warranty usually covers parts only, and can be void if assembly doesn’t follow the instructions exactly. |
| Time and tools | Most single-bay canopies are installed in one to two days once materials are on site. | Typically a few weekends for two people, plus ladders, drills, levels and possibly hire equipment. |
| Drainage | Elite Canopies have concealed drainage built into the posts, and louvre roofs a concealed drainage channel. | Often relies on external gutters and downpipes you source and fit yourself. |
Costs that don’t appear on a kit’s price tag
- Concrete, footings and fixings for your ground conditions
- Flashings and fixings to attach to the house
- Gutters, downpipes and stormwater connection
- Tool or equipment hire
- Consent fees and any engineering drawings
- Electrician for lighting or motorised options
- Your own time, and fixing mistakes
When a kit makes sense
If you want a small, freestanding shade structure on a flat, level surface, aren’t attaching it to the house, are comfortable with tools and have checked that it doesn’t need consent, a kit can be a reasonable choice. Once the structure is larger, roofed against rain, attached to your home or in an exposed, windy spot, a measured and professionally installed structure usually works out better over its life.
Working out a budget? Read the louvre roof & pergola cost guide or get an instant estimate.