Built on property, a gazebo is a small roofed building that often becomes a focal point of the yard. While it offers a place to sit in the shade, its open and often intricate lines bring an old-fashioned charm and design element that enhances its surroundings. Because of that it often becomes a place kids love to play and adults like to sit and linger.
You can build a gazebo yourself or have it custom built by a carpenter. Or you can buy one ready-built or pre-assembled and delivered to your property for construction. Prices vary widely because not all gazebos are created equal. They come in a wide range of sizes and materials, including cedar, pressure-treated wood and vinyl. Most are designed to be built on top of a concrete slab, brick foundation or wooden deck. When shopping for a gazebo, consider those designed with built-in seating and optional screens, accessories that make it pricier but will extend its use and creature comforts.
It will cost $5,900 to buy a ready-built, 9-foot octagonal cedar gazebo with a cupola, cedar shingles, and pressure-treated foundation and floor. If you have carpentry skills and tools, you can buy a pre-cut gazebo kit of similar size and material for $4,575 and build it yourself, saving 22 percent. Figure an additional cost for a concrete or brick foundation and its delivery.
If you’re planning to build a gazebo, check your property survey to make sure you build the structure on your property and not on your neighbor’s. And be sure to ask your local building department if a permit is required before you begin.
Pro Cost—DIY Cost—Pro time—DIY Time—DIY Savings—Percent Saved
$5,900—$4,575—45.0—47.5—$1,325—22 percent
