DIY Pergola - Costs / Mistakes / How Long It Took

[@Gidjoiner]

Thanks Keith, it'll be there for yrs, maybe some short side walls or trellis to break the wind 😂 hope you keep well, 👍

[@watcherofwatchers]

I have been enjoying your channel for years. I am glad you're getting a little exposure here!

[@Gidjoiner]

@@watcherofwatchers Thanks 👍😊 Yep nice to get a mention 👍 I'll have more vids to come, a couple of jobs have been postponed due to price increases & the last wk or so i've had a bad cold so things are a bit messy my end but i'll be back 😎👍

[@GSX1402]

Hi Keith, excellent video, can you tell me if you added noggins or have the sheets held up alright?

[@weed5901]

The author does like to kzbin.infoUgkxkNYRBJuiJ6EwD-tQSAlxg0eFKsnR2cgz from scratch, shaping and trimming wood from large blocks into fine finished products. As another reviewer mentioned, most projects require a lot of high-dollar equipment that most of us don’t have the room or budget for. But, knowing how to do these things, even if we won’t be able to practice the full stack project, is still great.

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

Thanks for sharing the actual cost, not just in $ but in time also. Many leave out the actual time and effort it takes to build things, and while a pergola looks simple in structure there is a helluva lot of work, materials and equipment involved. I also very much appreciate post-construction thoughts and what could have been done better. As KZbin taught DIYer myself, I am reliant on good people like you showing the blood and guts that goes into those apparently simple ( and heavily edited videos) projects. I now know from hard earned experience that there is a lot more work involved than what appears on the surface ( edited videos) and the many mistakes that accompany most of my projects, because each project is mostly totally new to me.

[@instography]

Used similar polycarbonate sheets on a pergola build and, like yours, with no support between the rafters. One windy night the wind was able to flex it enough that it came out of the bars that hold it down. One sheet blew in the neighbours garden and the other 4 ended up bent downwards and trapped between the rafters. Easily fixed with noggins between the rafters and screwed through the polycarbonate with fixing buttons. No problems since.

[@DaLavenderhillMob]

After going through so many bad DIY videos many with the worst " feel good acoustic music" incessantly played throughout. Your video on this is leaps ahead of anything else ive seen. Thank you. Recently I've sadly discovered I have a creepy mad neighbour thats always peeping into my garden so this build will certainly help towards privacy and enjoying my back yard. Cheers

[@shane24v]

2 years late, but have to agree with avoiding big chain stores my poly roof plus all fittings was at least half the price using a local plastics company plus the advice and recommendations they made really helped as in all honesty I didn't really know what I needed or how to fit it and the guy serving me really helped.

[@harveychuckles3780]

If you've only come here for Dylan skip to: 00:41, 01:21, 01:29, 01:51, 02:16, 02:43, 03:20, 03:34, 03:45, 04:06, 04:22, 04:33, 04:50 (Dylan co-hosts the video); 04:59, 05:23, 05:30, 05:49 (Dylan in a huff because Keith keeps talking to camera); 05:52 (Dylan thought you'd finished with this talking to camera business) and 06:04 (Alright Mr. DeMille, Dylan is ready for his close up). Hell's bells Keith, you made me work hard for this one.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

🤣🤣🤣brilliant!

[@gdkamath]

You are a god send, I've started increasingly watching Keith more for Dylan and your time stamps were brilliant! Clicking for the miffed Dylan was the best

[@mariafhp]

Thank you Keith for your honesty and clarity . I appreciate you giving feedback on what would have been better . You’re giving me confidence to start my Pergola as have been procrastinating . ❤️

[@piratetaylor29]

I'm adjusting my guess to $2,952.0 US. It came out beautifully and you should be proud of your design, skills and building it mostly alone. Well done! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

[@theyack789]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm doing a lean to greenhouse from double glazed panes, and after hitting problem after problem what should've taken a weekend is now leading into around 16 days. Absolute pain in the butt when building on the fly and having to use materials that you have laying around trying to cut cost. 😂

[@JaseBakes]

you are correct sir, if you cut down treated timber over 35mm thick, it is recommended you apply more "treatment''

[@zeroy]

I'm in Ireland, DIY stores are for emergency only, aka Sundays when all other suppliers are closed. They are twice as expensive also.

[@cjhification]

Same in Bristol for me.

[@Anteater1234567]

If starting with a slab right in the middle gives you two slabs of under half thickness on either side, you could start with a grout line in the middle. This then gives you slabs of over half thickness at either side. E.g. if you had a patio that was 3 full slabs + 2 * 1/8ths of slabs, it's total length is 3 1/4 slabs. You can use 2 full slabs at 2 5/8ths pieces to cover the width.

[@Gidjoiner]

That's what i was thinking, like tiling, if you off-set the centre tile by half, rather than getting ¼ tile at the edge you get ¾ tile instead.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

That's a simple but really clever idea, I wish I'd thought of that!

[@Gidjoiner]

@@RagnBoneBrown Ya live n learn, there was a day when Tom n I didn't know & learnt that 🤷‍♂️ sent you a drawing, 👍 doesn't always work tho, sometimes you want a full tile at the end of a row, or the flags might look crap if cut, so hiding the cut in a corner or not so visible area is better.

[@eyuptony]

Brilliant comment, good example where experience wins over the unskilled. In any trade that is. I've learnt something new. Thanks for that.

[@Anteater1234567]

@@eyuptony I'm not very experienced at all, I've learnt loads from these videos too. Just happened to figure out this one trick.

[@dalelbiker]

I’m so glad you did the price comparison. My late fathers Timber Merchants (Still going after 114 years) he was 3rd generation still provides a cutting service. Quality of timber is first class and yet people still go to the major chain DIY Store thinking it’s cheaper. I have no involvement in the family firm but I refuse to use the Big stores . Always go home when I have a project on.

[@C4sp3r123]

My experience is a lot of DIYers think timber yards are for trade only, not the individual DIYer or often they go to the big box DIY stores as they need other stuff as well so get it all in one go not realising the cost difference.

[@YodhrinsForge]

@@C4sp3r123 That's 'cos a lot of timber/roofer/builder's merchants do only cater to trades, or will only let you buy in trades quantities, or in a few instances IME will try and take advantage by trying to offload substandard product on what they perceive to be a naive newbie. These days I only buy from merchants through a mate who is a tradesman because they won't screw about with him. DIY stores are expensive, but they do at least see you as a customer and not an irritation.

[@C4sp3r123]

@@YodhrinsForge Yes, all good points. I went with a trade account to my local builders merchant, I didn't think to check my receipt as had plenty on my mind, they had tried to charge me a stupid price for some ACO Drains so after about 15 minutes of back and forth and me walking away twice before being called back they finally dropped the price to a more sensible price, I also bought some sand. Looked when I got home and saw they had charged me well over the odds for my bags of sand, I hadn't thought I needed to check the price of them, they had charged me more than B&Q etc. I sent a complaint and got an apology from the manager, who had been the person serving me, tried to say they had made an error blah blah blah and gave me a credit. I was far from impressed about their attempts to rip me off and told them as much, not that it probably made any difference but I was sure to CC in the higher management. I have taken my business elsewhere ever since.

[@colindoesdiy]

Ha Ha, Nice one Keith, at least my Guess got a special mention at £2730 LOL, I said I might be way out and I was right, I will be staying away from some of the well known DIY stores in future if I can, but sometimes you need something quickly and don't mind taking the hit. Look forward to the next Video and don't worry the summer will be here before you know it and you can enjoy your new outdoor space.

[@MrShoeReviews]

Genuinely top guy and thank you for sharing your knowledge and advice, very helpful.

[@drevil3456]

Meh....dont listen to the naysayers. If you didnt mention those minor mistakes/issues most of those people wouldn't have something to gripe about. Looks fantastic, its sturdy and functional. Great job!!

[@nbmufc94]

Fair play to you for honoring the prize to the nearest gueess. I love your channel!

[@Rasam3]

the floor could also be heated ... but I prefer to see good liquids, good Brazilian coffee, cold drinks, fruit cups and a lot of nice moments at rest on the table, a lot of refreshing thoughts, that's a reality

[@cakepanda]

Re Mortar staining Keith - I had the same problem with my slabs - use some vinegar and a metal /wire brush. That will remove the stubborn remains.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Cheers, may try that, did it damage the surface of the slab though?

[@cakepanda]

@@RagnBoneBrown Hi Keith No it didn't stain the slabs - I washed it off straight away afterwards. My slabs are sandstone so would have stained easily if I had not washed off quickly - they have a reasonably high iron content which shows as rust patches if not careful. I hasten to add the the offending pointing was done by a 'professional' company! Should have done it myself. One thing that helps to keep the pointing off the surface of the slabs is a simple jig with a couple of pieces of plywood held apart with a couple of cross braces such that they are held apart to exactly the same width as the gaps between the slabs. Hope that makes sense! Mark

[@MrJokerh61]

Brilliant job have you got the Plans....

[@woodland_witch]

This is gorgeous I'd love one of these I have like no experience at all but I want to try get something simple functional and cosy for sure

[@calummacneill4656]

Ref the pointing staining- I'm no expert, but was told by an old hand to brush in a dry sand/cement mix between the gaps and moisture in the air will do the job over a day or two. On the few occasions I've laid slabs i've used this method and it works just fine. No staining!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I'm not convinced, I've not tried it though to be fair, but I think my dad did, a good few years back now, and he's had some cracking and weeds coming through unfortunately

[@bigchief2468]

Thanks for the videos on this. It's really helpede in planning mine..what I am struggling with is flashing against my house which is new roughcast/ pebbledash.. I see loads saying cut a groove in it and add lead flashing ..others say use tape similar to what you have done to your brick. Others say don't do anything..so really confused as to what's best way forward.

[@woodyharleyson5352]

How long would you expect the pergola to last using the soft wood. Did you consider oak at all, for the sake of duration (and looks?)

[@chrise202]

0:46 Amazing sun-shade that is. Lots of benefits from this pergola, just like from Brexit.

[@deanwild7641]

These videos have been a great help to me as I’m planning on doing a similar project on my garden. Just ordered almost if the materials and looking forward to doing the lean to. Could I ask which paint you used for the timber?

[@hs1626]

Instead of plasticiser you can actually just use a little bit of fairy liquid (or I've even seen watered down PVA)!

[@dasmalas9960]

good job mate ! thanks for the video, helped a lot to finally figure out some things for my project ! Thank you !

[@barryobrien8837]

Hi Keith, great videos! Thank you for all your work and videos. What CAD package do you use / recommend? Thanks again!

[@dsxwoodworking]

Super helpful set of videos, thanks Keith!

[@tudorulz]

great video. what software did you use for your 3d drawing?

[@davidshortall9302]

Not sure if everyone knows but pressure treated timber is not any way as good as it used to be.. The pretty noctious but lasting preservative chemicals they used to use was banned a few years ago. As a result pressure treatment is not a lot better than untreated timber.... Timber in contact with the ground and in metal shoes are more likely to rot within a couple of years.. So treat and ré-treat as much as possible

[@MissLady-pq4hc]

It’s beautiful. Enjoy.💙

[@Megatron1873]

Was it 100mm Sleeve anchors you used mate?

[@haselden100]

In east sussex coast the diy shops are cheaper than local companies

[@Kosh42EFG]

Who was your timber merchant?

[@Chris-vp9ht]

I'm sure you can get an acid for cleaning off mortar stains everbuild has one

[@BischBaschBosch]

You did a grand job for a first punt mate. You'll be able to enjoy that for a long while I'm sure. Was gonna say you did your research, not realising you had Gid on speed dial 😂😂👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you! Yeah, lucky me!! He's been so helpful to bounce ideas off

[@davnan73]

Decent price in the poly sheets

[@Keeping-It-Real-55]

$1200. USD not bad. Great Job.... cool video breakdown.

[@timw2007]

I'd like to do something similar but back of mine is sloped concrete. What method would you use to attach post bracket to the concrete ? Pack some washers to make it level. I really don't want to cut into the concrete to level it 😕

[@timw2007]

Any links for post bracket that you can adjust ? Anyone would be greatly appreciated 🙂

[@mrb2843]

do you have a link for the wall anchors?

[@bogsdolics]

Hi Keith you did a great job , costing jobs is always difficult as there's nearly always unexpected work or materials needed , like 15 trips to farm fuel ware n tare cost v skip hire, could the top soil not have been used in Garden i e planters, compost or scatter and rake on grass ,keep up the good work ,G.

[@aleksdeveloper698]

Wow that price adds up is quite alot. Anyways, love your video. Very well done.

[@netmark9831]

Hi , all the prices you mentioned are VAT include or plus VAT ? Thanks

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Vat included 👍

[@vanessamathura4427]

amazing and informative thanks for helping

[@tiejunma7971]

the cat is soooooo cute!

[@lisaporteous3689]

Hi, i know this is an old video but watched few times as we are now doing a pergola with roof and unsure of the type of roof - opal, clear or bronze - how is the opal for keeping sun out?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

It's been great so far

[@leroyphillips5839]

Anyone know where he got the polycarbonate from this stuff aint cheap

[@robertbamford8266]

Nice review. Lessons learned - useful for your next pergola. If ever … . Around here (California USA) big box store lumber is currently about 2/3 the price of a real lumberyard. But, as you say, it’s not apples to apples. Not only is the quality of the timber much lower (unless you’re looking for a cupped, twisted, bowed, and mutilated lumber), the dimensions can vary by 1/8” of an inch between two pieces from the same bundle.

[@SarahLomer]

These two videos are great, so helpful! I'm planning on a similar pergola for my next project. Can I ask why you chose joist hangers rather than cutting a notch off the corner of the rafters and resting it on the wall plate? Thank you.

[@dasmalas9960]

it could be done this way too. Its just easier to use the hangers

[@stephenmcphillips6118]

Looks really nice think the lights were a good addition

[@ziaulislam9774]

Thanks mate. And great job

[@E.Cantona]

really good work and video

[@uzereusufy5863]

Hello there, fantastic job, have watched this video 4 times over the last 2 months, and am going to attempt to build it this bank holiday weekend. just wanted to know what size to order the coach screws in? im going for the 6 by 2 wall plate.. and also the sheradised twist nails, do they need to be of a certain length?

[@uzereusufy5863]

sorry and the sleeve anchor sizes please!

[@andymcmullan6999]

Very nice and great looking 👍

[@Shodan_AI]

can you advise what 3d software you used to design the pergola? Thanks

[@RagnBoneBrown]

SketchUp 👍 thanks

[@Shodan_AI]

@@RagnBoneBrown cheers mate

[@chrislc35]

does look good. prices right now for wood are so high. wanting to build a lean to similar to yours for a while, but will leave it til next spring i think. cant go wrong with watching Gid joiners vids either, he is so good. you could add a patio heater, or fire pit maybe. oh and nice solution for the lights too, battery, or solar are no good. and i dont have an outdoor socket, but will have soon. part i am most worried about doing myself is the Poly roof, so its good to watch you.

[@nadiasheikh3996]

Well done 👍

[@tonkatoy200]

Do I get a prize for getting the 92p bit right? 🤣

[@paulrowley71]

Wow. You got some good prices there Kieth. I wasn’t far off with my £1,250 guess. Good job and good budgeting to get it under £1K. 👍🏻

[@priscillagordon1931]

Great video

[@FreezinFury]

Looks fine to me mate.

[@everybodylovesducksauce7158]

Doh. I was over by a bit! Said 1000!!!

[@user-te1le7ck6b]

Dylan pay me attention human I don’t care if people want to hear about your project 😂 great work as always crazy how much work goes in to what might seem a simple project

[@eyuptony]

I looks like Rag 'n' Bone Vagas with all them lights Keith. Superb job, enjoyed the breakdown and well done DOWNZY01. What a great prize to win. Tony

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you

[@dwalsh3469]

That’s a great job. The Gid is the Man.

[@williammuir8901]

Next time you need Mot type 1, try a local quarry much cheaper and I notice you paid nearly £54/ton. I’m doing my driveway the now and I’m getting quotes £16.30 a ton 🤷‍♂️🤔

[@RagnBoneBrown]

The overall price from my local quarry was higher due to their delivery fees.... Think it was about £40 per tonne. And it's only down the road from me which felt a bit unfair!

[@virtualfather]

Could not find link for the guy you said helped you

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Gid Joiner kzbin.info

[@eileenworth7862]

I really like how you learn from and credit your comment section.

[@xvos2421]

jusst make all the frame out of metal ..job done 😅

[@therealpritchard1990]

Brick acid will take the cement stains off

[@GrumpysWorkshop4]

Interesting video, I forgot to include the patio, think I said about £750 for the lean-to itself. Definitely worth shopping around

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah it's mad, I was expecting like 20-30% more expensive

[@S.JCarpentry]

B&Q have become extremely expensive since Kingfisher group took over. Trade point isn't worth having either.

[@petedig5809]

I think Kingfisher (or even Paternoster as it was) has owned them for the best part of 40 years so I’m not sure how competitive they were prior to that!

[@JamesManCave]

Turned out really nice Keith, as much as I like the bare wood look on a pergola, I think the colour you have chosen works really well 👌

[@treeoflifebahrain08]

Hi ive been watching your channel since last year. Novice DIYer. Successfully put up my lean to shed with your help. Didn't do the 'hang upside down from the beams' test though! 🙂 With regards this pergola, i see that the span us 4.8m. You haven't put a post in the middle, and it looks beautiful without. I'm planning a 4.5m wide pergola (not lean to). Can i get away with using 90cm braces on all 4 sides? It looks so much better without a middle post. Grateful for any advice

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Hi Antonio, the span is only around 3.6m and 2.4m front to back. For 4.5m span I think you might need to go for an 8x2 timber based on span charts available online but if the roof isn't going to have any weight on it you could probably get away with 6x2

[@treeoflifebahrain08]

@@RagnBoneBrown Cheers for the prompt reply! It means a great deal to receive this. Love your work, and as sooo many have said your attention to detail, just being human about errors, and sharing costings. I'd love to share pics of my lean to shed if you like. Thank you for the 'span chart' idea! Keep up the great videos! Ps: can you send me the beam span chart hyperlink?

[@teresabell1014]

Thanks for telling us all the costs. We built a pergola last year it really helps with the summer sun here in south Texas. We really appreciate your videos , they are very informative.

[@PabloBD]

Looks great! maybe you can use it more time with some form of heating? like a wood-fired salamander or a fire pit

[@aminarya4544]

What is the best food to avoid diabetes?

[@paultay23]

Nice one Keith, great in-depth review of the build and costs... I was £400 over with my guess...(but i added £400 for consultancy fees for Gid...he he) Congratulations to the winner...Well done ITS and yourself. 👍👍👍👍

[@Gidjoiner]

😂👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Badgerworkshop]

That has defiantly made me think I need to shop around more on price

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Hope I haven't ruined episode 3 by making this vid 🤣

[@SteifWood]

It's never too late in the season to use a pergola, at least one with a roof and the possibility to mount one or two temporary walls. Here in Norway we are outdoors "pergolians" (ie terrasse users) all year round. We just mount terrasse heaters, often electric since it's more convenient than gas/propane burners.

[@FatManBuilds]

Hi Keith, great vid, thanks for the detail, good tip about shopping locally! will look into that!

[@sepgorut2492]

Graphs are for _winners!_

[@frankvanderwal4571]

Hi Keith, Thanks for sharing! You comparison with DIY shops is spot on. I always find myself disappointed with the price, although they market themselves as cheap and easy, they are not. Poor service (youngsters with no experience of the material the sell), poor quality and poor range of products. I do visit they now and again for convenience, but agree that local shops are often cheaper and better in quality. Apart from that, thanks for sharing your insights and I love you being honest on what could have done different. That is so much better and more informative than only showing how wonderful and smooth things went. Cheers, __Frank

[@DiHandley]

Hmmm, what’s that old saying. “In hindsight we all have 20/20 vision”

[@swsfrancais7289]

Great project with an honest wash-up. It looks professionally-built & if you'd not told me about the "mistakes" I would not have noticed them - but this is the universal curse of the DIYer - the faults always catches your eye & haunt you!! As for sourcing materials, especially timber for the bigger projects, do not dismiss your local saw mill.

[@_J.F_]

Great to get some improvements done at your new house. That said it is really chocking how the cost of building materials have gone up over the past year or two. Yes I know, Brexit and Covid, supply and demand all that, but we are talking a 100% increase or more on some products, if you can at all get them, making you think twice before doing even smaller projects just now. I don't know if prices will ever normalise again, but the days of doing affordable DIY are certainly over right now.

[@liamcowley8679]

Love the little price breakdowns at the end of each project, wonder how many people would just go big chain DIY stores and double the price for the same thing!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah it's crazy. I was expecting 20-30% more expensive, but it was crazy

[@liamcowley8679]

@@RagnBoneBrown I guess it convenience people are after not always cost

[@paulprescott7913]

You made a smashing job mate. No great great surprise with local merchants been cheaper than the large diy stores and they stock industry standard sizes. And the timber is vastly superior.

[@z_polarcat]

I’m planning to build a ground level deck next spring, but after watching this series I might add pergola aspects to the plans

[@SloggieBear]

Great advice and practical, honest reflections. Very relatable. Thanks a mil

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks you

[@awantamta]

A very useful break down of the project and a great reminder about shopping around.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you

[@ukhottubs]

Gotta love Gid, quite honestly one of my favourite woodwork / build / make channels. 👍

[@lukafilm]

Ha! I missed the final price by double 😂 but so cool that you did the graph and that you are sending gifts to the winner! Keep rockin! 🤘

[@ianvicedomini2648]

When i see how the whole project was progressing through each video, i don’t think it would have been done any better if you had paid a contractor to do it Keith. There’s plenty of cowboys out there that wouldn’t have done nowhere near as good a job mate. It looks fantastic and serves it’s purpose and will for years to come. Great video mate 👍🏼👍🏼

[@DOWNZY01]

I won! Wow! I never win anything!?

[@cheapdad2813]

Your timber math is wonky when comparing big box store to local lumberyard. For big box store you allowed for 10 rafters, for the local lumberyard, only 5 rafters. It adds £100 to the diy store total. Their prices were within 30% of each other instead of 100% difference.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Nope, it is correct. I'd get two lengths from a 4.8m length and therefore need half the quantity

[@williammoore4101]

Keith, more cat please. Sincerely, The Internet.