How To Build A DIY Pergola | Build Or Buy - Is It Worth It?

Pergolas are all the rage at the moment, as many of us are spending more time in our gardens; the problem is, they can cost an absolute fortune. We tasked Joe with making one himself to see how much it would cost and to decide, ultimately, is building your own DIY pergola worth it? Time, money and effort factored in. We'll let you be the judge.
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[@paullewin570]

Great video! What I like the most, is that you cut the wood outside and on your table. I watch other DIY videos by people with a huge warehouse in their garden and every tool available to them. Your video makes me think I can have a go at this myself. Thanks

[@richalsop]

A very user friendly video isn't it!

[@joehuffman7410]

Haha exactly... "First you're going to want to find a nice tree in your personal forest and start by cutting it down and running your wood through a plainer.."

[@dhdrivingschool]

What equipment is needed for this job , I want to try as well.

[@caveymon]

@@dhdrivingschool drill machine, stone drill, plugs, deadbolts fitting with the plugs, a jigsaw and a normal saw or circular saw to top the standing pole. Oh, and something to dig a hole, mix your quick concrete and a hammer and some other small hardware to keep the pole upright whilst the concrete is setting. Pretty minimal, with some basic tools. The jigsaw isn't necessary perse, it is nice for the ornamental cuts, but using some straight angled cuts should work out great too (circular saw, or normal saw)

[@nellythree]

Exactly, great comment 😊

[@samdub]

Great video! This is exactly what budget DIY videos should be, basic tools, a good understanding and one video not 42 parts.

[@stevepeacock4265]

Wouldn’t quite say a cordless dewalt jigsaw is s basic tool. They start at £200

[@samdub]

@@stevepeacock4265 just because this jigsaw is £200 doesn’t mean it’s not a basic tool, you can get them for £20 dude.

[@fluffy00123x]

Subbed because you didn't use too many fancy items and did it like a proper DIY. Thank you so much. Xx

[@9700am]

Always enjoy watching your videos. Straightforward and simple, no overdone commentary or loud music. Will use this when building mine this Summer. Stay safe and healthy, Joe!

[@andrewreardon8093]

Many thanks Joe. You are a really good presenter and explain things simply and clear. Just the right balance of letting us see what you are doing but also explaining what you are doing and why. Great stuff and all the best.

[@pineappletop8751]

Great video. You explained things really well. You’ve shown me that this lady can give this one a go. Thank you

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks! Really glad you found it helpful. Definitely give it a go! :) Joe

[@anthonytomlinson4470]

Just finished this with bamboo rolled on top attached with fence staples. Looks awesome, great video. Used fencing rails for the rafters and would recommend useing planed timber for the post uprights if you can afford it. Used clear silicone round the gaps in the joints etc. This from an amateur diy er 😃

[@WhisperingOpinion]

This is an amazing video and exactly what I was looking for. I so appreciate the step-by-step instruction with different angles. This is how to make a diy video. Much appreciated!

[@videosrus8631]

Very impressed at how easy Joe made it look. I only wish I was as adept with my hands as he is. Excellent video.

[@kwesip6267]

I think it’s great. One of the best videos I’ve seen by a mile. Thanks for showing it.

[@stuartcarson9378]

Proper DIY for the masses. Thank you. Gonna have a look at your other videos. Great work.

[@chrispritchard4676]

Thank you, Joe. I have been debating building my own due to the increasing delays in buying one. You have convinced me, and made it look so easy. Excellent explanatory video.

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Chris! Really glad the video is of help :) Joe

[@Orla.b]

How did it go did you manage to get it done?

[@mrg2384]

Absolutely great video no messing about straight to the point with info on build and prices, spot on your a star.

[@WatchShareSave]

Thank you! 😊 Joe

[@mamba691]

Absolutely fantastic video and must say love what you have designed and constructed. Definitely! Cheaper than buying a ready built on which is twice as expensive and still need to assemble. Going to construct mine once the weather has improved within the next couple of months 🙌🏾

[@annaworthington4393]

Brilliant video. I have a very old conservatory that is beyond repair, I’ve been thinking of replacing with a pergola but was concerned it would be a nightmare to DIY and would have to pay a company to come in. After watching this I think I’ll give it a go.

[@bellazella]

You've inspired me to step way out the comfort zone and replicate this DIY solo. Thanks for all the different camera angles and step by step made simple.

[@MrJokerh61]

Brilliant video watch a few times and it may have took me a few days am happy my pergola turned out so well.i even put lights on it thanks 😊

[@jaystationconsolegaming1578]

Brilliant video pal. I’m starting to make my own stuff for my garden and found this really helpful. We want a pergola over our patio and I like your way so may have a go. Cheers buddy

[@sorayagrace]

Thank you!! Best video so far, I feel confident doing it now

[@tarmactrailandtrack]

Good to hear a local voice on YT! Its a good design that is easy on the eye. I am going to do one myself but i will be adding glazing bars on it so it can be used all year round!

[@terrycoburn125]

Brilliant and enjoyable video to watch. Inspired me to make my own pergola. Cheers mate!

[@gezcollins221]

I'm going to have a go at this one myself looks straightforward thanks to your video 👍

[@marcuswall3857]

I'm starting one next week. A really helpful video. Thanks. I expect that I will be referring back to it a few times once I get started.

[@jonsmith1725]

This video was great, I love how you demonstrated everything clearly without complicating for the novice diy person. I used your help and just finished building my own in 2 days! One question, I’d like to secure the cross beams as they’re not all tight, what would you suggest for this and how please? Once again thanks for all the help with this video.

[@anthonytomlinson4470]

If there’s gaps I’d use wood filler then you can get 4 inch hex head screws (coated for outdoor use) to hold it

[@jamesW1994]

Love this video! Probably the most helpful DIY video I have seen, will be giving this a go!

[@user-yc6xj3mb9u]

I’ve just took one back to it’s. Original form it’s beautiful, watching you made me cry

[@hbrealhousewife2270]

That was brilliant. I’ve only just decided today that I would like a pergola. I’m tempted to give it a go. Thanks. 👍

[@WatchShareSave]

Definitely give it a go! It's so rewarding making one :) Joe

[@Poikka65]

Absolutely loved this video, I might actually try this. Ty for the easy instructions 👍👍👌

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Mark! Really glad you liked it 😊 Joe

[@shahdrah]

Great vid. Only point to add is to treat cut ends with wood preservative to prevent rot. Thank you for the vid 👍🏽

[@binxwinx8434]

You make it look so easy! Your garden is beautiful.

[@charmaineprobert1168]

Im a lady who was looking for something like this, so nicely illustrated thank you

[@gerlar67]

Hi, First of all thanks for uploading your video. You make it look so easy, you deep are your notches for the beams, as you've gave me inspiration to try and build one. Once again thanks for the video. Cheers Gerry

[@mattwright2964]

V good video. I built one of these years ago and grew climbing plants on it. Only thing was if you sat under it in rain it was wet so we added some clear top panels to provide some cover. That worked well but you had to maintain them regularly. I'm in another house now and planning building one and fixing a pull out awning on one side. That will neatly hide away when it's dry but allow it to be covered if it's raining but warm. We are going to put a table and chairs under it.

[@chrismontroe5707]

100% going to follow your guide, great build. Just about to do some decking so can incorporate this build alongside it.

[@eslameddinghalebi1]

straight to the point, amazing video subscribed

[@billniemann6235]

Great video. I am getting ready to build one myself. For 8x8 patio area, I am going to use 6x6x8 for my posts. Then 2×12 ×10 for my beams, but I and double beaming my posts. The 2x6x10 rafters and For the lids 2x2x10 also I am using metal brackets for all corners and fasteners. I feel it will be better against the elements with this type of support.

[@richrussell9503]

Perfect video, clear guidance...I'm set to build mine 4m wide x 4m long x 2.4m high. Thanks for the inspiration...

[@gemmaf255]

This is brilliant, exactly what I was looking for! Do you have a video for decking or patio?

[@wm23121984]

Thank you! great video and we will try this definitely!

[@memyselfandgod5550]

Absolutely brilliant job! Nice and simple, plus easy to follow instructions 😊 I plan on making this in the next few months with my 11 year old son. A fantastic mother and son project 👍🏻👏🏻🙏🏻

[@trevorhope8447]

Great video. Easy to follow, no messing about.

[@greigconnor6215]

Great video mate. I'm going to build one myself and it's helped me get a better idea of how to go about it. Cheers mate

[@ChrisDuffy_82]

Love you you explain even down to using new and old money. Subscribed!

[@matthewdavies2812]

What a cracking video. Thanks chap!

[@donnaharper4532]

You make it look soooo easy but im up for the challenge. Thank you for this vid just what i needed been contemplating for a long time now ive no excuse 😁

[@WatchShareSave]

Thank you Donna! I truly believe that anything is simple when you break it down step by step. If I can do it, then trust me, anyone can! Hope you give it a go now :) Joe

[@marvinseaman7645]

Great video and we’ll done! Lots of common sense and well made….planning to make my own soon to support a new whisteria.

[@clmusicndance]

Thank you so much for sharing such a brilliant video so clearly explained and very inspirational 😊😊😊

[@WatchShareSave]

Thank you Christine! Really glad you liked it :) Joe

[@JamesBrown-mt5ru]

Came across this video and realised it's a while since I watched you and back then you didn't show your face (never easy to put a face to a voice). Delighted to see the progress you've made in video production subscribed!

[@MarkMichalowski]

Revisiting this one cos I need to pull my finger out and get a pergola put up in _my_ back-garden :) Nice one, Joe!

[@Wayne-R-]

I’m made up I found your Chanel the mrs has been nagging me to build 1 of these and now I know exactly what to do thanks 👍🏻

[@glenn20081965]

I used fence post brackets to secure mine to the ground. You can buy some really fancy ones that hold very firm and it makes it easier to remove and saw if needed.

[@WatchShareSave]

Thats a great idea Glenn! Much quicker and easier to fit and easier to remove later if need be too :) Joe

[@tubeyview]

Did you just screw into patio slab?

[@damienb6009]

Great job, it looks so simple in your hands. That's very inspiring for my own construction, on mine I'd like to have 5% slope so the cutting of notches will be a little bit more difficult.

[@paulbowden7659]

Really clear and extremely informative video. Well done and thanks!

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Paul! :) Joe

[@MrSam6462]

You make it look so easy. I was planning to build a pergola but timber price has sky rocketed. If the timber merchant sees there sales drop, maybe they will drop the price to clear the existing stock. Not sure how it works but I'll wait. Great video 👍

[@bushyboy8376]

Superb video mate! Given me the confidence to get on with mine now!

[@douglasalexander4348]

Where the wood has been cut for notches, it’s good to brush on some preservative. Nice and simple instructions, great 👍

[@WatchShareSave]

Would definitely help! We ended up painting the structure with wood preserver afterwards but adding some to the joints before hand would have been the best bet for sure 😊 Joe

[@itsdaley]

Great video very easy to follow never thought about doing something like this but feel I could after watching this 😊, I'd add some form of roof though to keep dry or in the shade on those hot days

[@johnlofts]

Lovely vid and well explained. Thank you.

[@maxburpee]

Good vid. Straightforward and unpretentious. Thank you.

[@bencux]

Really helpful! Thank you!!!

[@SarahLomer]

So helpful! Thank you. Do you need to use spacers behind the wall plate to stop moisture getting trapped?

[@anthonytomlinson4470]

I’d just put a bead of silicone to make it water tight maybe

[@omz121]

Great video. Just wished you'd given measurements of the notches made and also the distance between then.

[@sirmichaele1]

Great job. Thanks for the video. Waiting for more.

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks mate! :) Joe

[@millin2222]

Brilliant and very basic thanks for the share

[@safiaahmed4360]

Very good I might need to come and fence my garden God bless 🙌 🙏 you

[@spatel3783]

appreciate the video, really clear and helpful

[@mian8479]

Amazing job WELLDONE! and the best thing I have heard from this video is "even if you do buy one you still have to build it" very well said mate

[@giovanniyorke7455]

Thank you very much, it very informative and I learned a lot, Great Video Bro!!

[@WatchShareSave]

Thank you! Really glad you liked it :) Joe

[@williamdc3104]

Great video, very clear instructions. Don't forget to add a can of sealant to your budget and procedures. Every cut should be sealed, and depending on the size of the hole and treatment method, every hole needs to be sealed as well. Especially if that wood has a warranty.

[@DerekTJ]

Excellent little video- well done pal!

[@ez8294]

what a great n helpful video! is there any other way to put the post on the floor without digging a hole n put cement mix ?

[@loriennyanzi1290]

Thank you. Now I think I can do this. Just have to learn how to use the drill.

[@janetharlowe4113]

Thanks for video brilliant, to make it free standing is it a case of adding 2 more thicker square posts and shaping both ends of top with it not being attached to the wall?.

[@mattlingley3409]

Thank you very much for the video, very clear and I'm going to give this a go myself. What model Dewalt jigsaw did you use, can you recommend one? Many thanks.

[@katnewell1521]

great work, thanks! I love the joinery ideas :-)

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Kat! Glad you liked it :) Joe

[@bengray55]

Thank you for that, great video great delivery

[@_.alex.-]

Less than 1:30 in and I've seen the best depth gauge trick ever haha. I never once thought to use tape. Obviously a trick of the trade, but I'm a simpleton and that was an eye opener. Great vid as well, am here as about to build my own!

[@ssxxiii]

that's exactly what I'm planning to do this weekend.

[@PERKINS4107]

You have a beautiful garden! Well done, it's lovely 👌👍

[@laurentsrey8711]

thanks for your video, makes me confident I can built on now :)

[@WatchShareSave]

great!

[@bikebristol8475]

Clear vid, temping to build one now!

[@ninakrystyna3718]

Thank you so much for this video. I told my partner that I wanted to build a pergola on my own and described exactly how I was going to do it (basically step by step same as you) and my partner told me that I was being ridiculous and it wouldn’t work the way that I said. I used to video as proof that I was right and i can in fact do it on my own and the way that I said 😅

[@jamieskoipond]

Nice one for putting the video up I’m going to be building myself on to go over my pond. But not going to put the post in the ground I was going to use post brackets what’s your opinion on these?

[@adrianbeard8386]

Been looking at videos to see how it's done and get ideas Your video made it look so easy Wish you had put a roof on it tho as that's what my ideal pergola will be

[@shenry25]

Nice construction and video. I would sand down does cuts, some look a bit rough, but nothing that can't be easily fixed.

[@edmeareginabarreiros648]

Boa noite! Acho que você é um artista! Parabéns pelo seu talento! Abraços! BRASIL! !!👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👏👏👏👏💃

[@neilleggat4422]

Useful video....well presented 🤙🏼

[@TheDude69]

Excellent video and great idea for a channel. Liked and subscribed 👍🙋‍♂️

[@chrislc35]

looks great, cheap too. what did u do for the bottom of the post where u removed the slab? cut the slab and put it back maybe?

[@TheSimple46]

Beautiful garden! 😍

[@paulnorman4416]

Very easy to follow, well done, another question though, what sort of size are the notches you cut out for the beams??? Cheers

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Paul! Really glad you liked it. I cut the notches 50mm wide and about 30mm deep. I would have normally gone a little deeper but I wanted to maintain as much height on the ridges as I could 😊 Joe

[@jamosgarage9006]

Great video. I'm starting on my first 8ft by 8ft pergola today. I bought $300 US worth of lunber in sale for $95 US.

[@marnieahmed1919]

quality vid, very well explained!

[@edward123et]

Brilliant video but can you add a shade cover on the roof ? And what would you recommend?

[@lazlo12]

“Give it a few months and the price will drop” I we knew it back then….:) great vid! Thanks for making it!

[@nataliescott2261]

Nice job we are planning making one video really helped

[@DavinderSingh-wv7eh]

Lovely video, thanks for sharing.

[@esotericist]

good job. well explained. thank you.

[@pennyjotter6073]

Great video, what a lovely garden too

[@jasontaylor3658]

Great video. Can I ask about the tape on your drill bit when drilling into the house? Was it some kind of guide ? I always either drill to less or to much ! Thanks

[@WatchShareSave]

Thanks Jason! That’s exactly what it is. I add some tape to the drill bit so I know how deep to drill. If you leave it sticking out, a little bit like a flag, it’ll sweep away the dust when it hits the surface to make it even easier spot when you’re deep enough 😊 Joe