A painted pergola attached to a brick home, set on brick columns that match the house. It shades a curved stamped concrete patio that opens onto artificial turf.
Custom Pergolas in Houston, TX
Shaded, sturdy pergolas sized to your yard, with footings and framing planned for Houston heat, rain and clay.
- 4.9 · 73 Google reviews
- 30+ years in Houston
- Our own crew, no subcontractors
HLI builds the kind of pergola Houston families actually use: shaded, sturdy, and sized to fit the yard. We are a family-owned team based in Richmond, TX, with 30+ years of experience and our own crew, so the people who design your pergola are the people who build it. No subcontractors, no stock kits.
From a simple cedar pergola over a back patio to a louvered pergola over an outdoor kitchen, we plan the footings, framing and finish around Houston heat, heavy rain and clay soil. You get a clear, itemized quote before any work starts.
What a Custom Pergola Adds to Your Yard
- Shade for a patio that is too hot to use after lunch
- A defined space for dining, a hot tub or an outdoor kitchen
- Framing and finishes that match your home
- One family-run team from design to final walkthrough
Your Houston Pergola Builder, From Sketch to Final Stain
A bare patio in Houston can feel like a griddle by mid-afternoon. July highs average in the mid-90s, and a west-facing yard takes the full blast of the sun. A well-placed pergola breaks up that sun, frames the space and gives you a reason to spend time outside again.
As a pergola builder, we start on site. We look at where the shade will fall at 4 PM, how water drains off your slab, and what your soil is like. Houston's expansive clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so we set post footings with that in mind. Then we design a pergola that fits your roofline, your patio and your budget, and our own crew builds it.
Signs a pergola is right for your yard
- Your patio gets full sun and sits empty most of the summer
- You want shade but do not want to darken the rooms behind the patio
- Your outdoor kitchen, grill area or hot tub needs a defined space
- Your backyard has no focal point and feels unfinished
- You want a spot for fans, string lights or climbing vines
"They built a covered pergola with a ceiling fan which helps protect everything from the weather and we can enjoy our outdoor kitchen all year long."
Cathy M., Google reviewOur Process
How Our Pergola Installation Works
- 01
Free Consultation and Site Visit
We meet at your home, talk through how you want to use the space, and look at sun, drainage, trees and utilities. We also ask about your budget and any HOA rules.
- 02
Design and Plan
We sketch the size, shape and height of the pergola, where the posts go, and how it ties into your patio or house. We check permit and HOA needs for your address.
- 03
Itemized Estimate
You get a clear, line-by-line quote for materials, footings, framing, finish and any add-ons like fans or lights. No vague lump sums.
- 04
Build by Our Own Crew
Our family-run crew sets the footings, frames the pergola and applies the stain, paint or finish. The same team stays on your job from start to finish.
- 05
Final Walkthrough
We walk the finished pergola with you, answer questions and share simple care tips, like how often to clean and reseal wood.
Google Reviews
What Houston Homeowners Say About Our Outdoor Builds
- ★★★★★
They built a patio cover. We are grateful to the company under the direction of Mr. Sanson, who answered all our questions and made recommendations. He is responsible, always available, and clearly has a lot of experience. If you want to make improvements to your home and be sure that they will do a good job, this is the team you need. They built our patio cover. It was an excellent experience. Sanson answered all our questions. He helped us with the design and made several suggestions before construction. Sanson and his team are very responsible and serious. I noticed they have experience doing this type of construction. We are pleased and happy because our patio cover turned out very nice, just as we wanted.
Angel R. - ★★★★★
Sanson Faltine and his amazing team at Houston Landscape Images did an outstanding job designing and constructing a large and very challenging covered patio for our home. Sanson prepared a detailed plan for completing the patio cover, provided excellent onsite construction supervision, and finished the project ahead of schedule. All materials used were of the highest quality and installed with precision and excellent craftsmanship. We highly recommend Houston Landscape Images for any work for your home of business.
Dan S. - ★★★★★
Sanson did a tremendous job remodeling my entire back yard adding a A frame covered patio with outdoor kitchen and fire place. We could not have been happier with the quality of work and attention to detail. Top notch customer service and exceptional crews made the job run smoothly
Jared B. - ★★★★★
I highly recommend Houston Landscape Images. They installed a wonderful water feature along with a large paver patio in our backyard. They also greatly expanded the flowerbeds and installed very nice landscaping in the front. We’ve actually won yard of the month twice because of their work. We have recommended them to friends and neighbors and all have been very pleased with the work Sanson and his team has done for them. The huge covered patio and outdoor kitchen HLI built for our friends is amazing!! Call them. You won’t be disappointed.
Bill M. - ★★★★★
We had an amazing experience working with Sanson and his team. They built an outdoor kitchen in a vacant space we had off of our back patio. They helped with choosing the right brand appliances for the addition, matched our stone from our spa waterfall from our pool, and matched our granite that we had in our home. They built a covered pergola with a ceiling fan which helps protect everything from the weather and we can enjoy our outdoor kitchen all year long. While they were working on our outdoor kitchen, I asked for help with seating around our fire pit next to our pool. The decking around the fire pit was built when our pool was done and it was difficult to find the right seating for it. Sanson came up with a great design for built-in seating and he matched the stone that we had around our pool. It looks like we had this built as one cohesive plan. His crew is great to work with and kept the area picked up during the construction phase. They made the experience so easy! I will use Sanson and his team for all of my outdoor needs and will definitely use him again if we do any other outdoor additions to our home.
Cathy M. - ★★★★★
This is the best company that I have ever used. They did a home addition covered patio and concrete. Everything looks like it was built on originally. The owner Sanson is very professional and really cares for his customers. Very good crew and clean up was impeccable
Dick H. - ★★★★★
We recently hired Houston Landscape Images to install a few projects at our home: concrete driveway extension, cedar fence/gate replacement, subsurface drainage extension, exterior door added into brick wall. They did an outstanding job on all aspects of the project. Sanson was wonderful to work with, transparent on costs, and stayed in contact throughout the job. The crew was punctual, highly skilled and left the job site spotless each day. I would highly recommend Houston Landscape Images!
Coley S. - ★★★★★
Houston Landscape Images and Samson in particular are fantastic to work with. They helped design and build or outdoor kitchen and decorative patio. Outstanding quality and professionalism. I highly recommend you consider them for your landscaping needs.
John G.
Pergola Types and Options for Houston Yards
Every pergola we build is custom. These are the most common choices Houston homeowners make, from materials to roof style.
Custom Pergola Installation
Sized for the shade you want over a patio, pool deck or garden.
Price this option: Custom Pergola InstallationDetails about Custom Pergola Installation
We design and build custom pergolas that fit your patio, pool deck or garden. Each one is sized for the shade you want and the way you move through the yard.
- Includes design, footings, framing, finish and cleanup
- Sized and angled for your afternoon sun
- Built by our own crew, not a subcontractor
Louvered and Covered Pergolas
Tilt the slats for light or shade, or add a solid roof section.
Price this option: Louvered and Covered PergolasDetails about Louvered and Covered Pergolas
A louvered pergola has slats you can tilt to let in light or close for shade and light rain. A covered pergola adds a solid roof section for full rain cover. If you want a fully solid roof, see our patio covers.
- Adjustable louvers, manual or motorized
- Solid roof sections for rain cover
- Popular over outdoor kitchens and dining areas
Attached vs. Freestanding Pergolas
Tie it into the house or let it stand on its own posts.
Price this option: Attached vs. Freestanding PergolasDetails about Attached vs. Freestanding Pergolas
An attached pergola ties into your house over a back patio or door. A freestanding pergola stands on its own posts, so it can anchor a pool deck, a putting green or a quiet corner of the yard.
- Attached pergolas for patios and entries
- Freestanding pergolas for pools and open yards
- Post layout planned around doors, gutters and views
Cedar, Wood and Aluminum Pergolas
Warm cedar, budget-friendly pine, or low-upkeep aluminum.
Price this option: Cedar, Wood and Aluminum PergolasDetails about Cedar, Wood and Aluminum Pergolas
Cedar gives a warm, natural look and holds up well to rot and insects. Pressure-treated pine is a budget-friendly option when it is painted or sealed. An aluminum pergola will not rot or warp and needs very little upkeep.
- Cedar, pressure-treated pine, aluminum or steel
- Stain, paint or powder-coated finishes
- Metal brackets and hardware sized for the load
Fans, Lighting and Electrical Add-Ons
Fans, lights and outlets wired in during design so it stays neat.
Price this option: Fans, Lighting and Electrical Add-OnsDetails about Fans, Lighting and Electrical Add-Ons
Add ceiling fans, landscape and accent lighting, or outlets so you can use the pergola on still summer evenings. We plan the wiring during design so it stays neat.
- Ceiling fans, pendant lights and string light mounts
- Outlets for speakers, heaters or a TV
- Weather-rated fixtures and hidden wiring
Posts, Columns and Trim
Stone, brick or painted columns that make it look like part of the house.
Price this option: Posts, Columns and TrimDetails about Posts, Columns and Trim
Posts and trim make a pergola look like part of the house. We can wrap posts in stone or brick, add decorative beam ends, or keep lines clean and modern.
- Stone, brick or painted wood columns
- Decorative rafter tails and brackets
- Finishes matched to brick, stucco or siding
Compare Your Options
Pergola vs. Patio Cover vs. Gazebo
All three add shade, but they work in different ways. Here is how they compare for a Houston backyard.
| Feature | Pergola | Patio Cover | Gazebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof | Open beams and slats, or adjustable louvers | Solid roof | Solid roof |
| Shade and rain | Filtered shade; rain passes through unless covered | Full shade and rain cover | Full shade and rain cover |
| Where it goes | Over a patio, attached or freestanding | Usually attached to the house | Freestanding, out in the yard |
| Best for | Light shade, vines, a defined outdoor room | Everyday living space off the back door | A separate spot to sit, dine or relax |
Want full rain cover? See our custom patio covers or our backyard gazebos and pavilions.
Pergolas Built by Our Crew
A few pergola projects our team has designed and built. Tap a card to read more.
A dark slatted pergola covers a modern outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, a TV wall and a paver floor. The layout works around a large tree.
Two cedar pergolas frame a backyard putting green and a seating area on the patio, turning a narrow side yard into a place to relax and play.
Pergola Cost in Houston
Typical Houston-area price ranges. Your quote is free and itemized.
8x8 to 10x10 ft
Standard Pergolas
$4,000 to $8,000
- Great for small patios or seating areas
- Wood or aluminum framing with open slats or lattice top
- Includes installation, staining or painting, and hardware
10x12 to 14x14 ft
Mid-Size Pergolas
$8,000 to $15,000
- Ideal for dining areas or hot tub coverage
- Custom woodwork, partial roofing, or built-in lighting
- Optional privacy screens, shade covers, or fan mounts
16+ ft or fully custom builds
Large Custom Pergolas
$15,000+
- Built for large patios, outdoor kitchens, or full backyard retreats
- Options include solid roof sections, columns, electrical wiring, and decorative trim
- Designed to match your home and tie into your hardscaping
Your pergola installation cost depends on size, material, footings, and add-ons like louvers, a roof section, fans or lights. Cedar and aluminum cost more than treated pine, and a louvered system costs more than fixed slats. We give you a free, itemized estimate, so you see exactly what you are paying for.
Want to spread out the cost? Ask about financing through our partner HFS Financial.
Financing available through HFS Financial
Want the full breakdown? Read our pergola cost guide for Houston.
Why Homeowners Choose HLI as Their Pergola Builder in Houston
- 30+ Years of Experience: More than 1,000 projects across the Houston area, from small patio upgrades to full backyard builds.
- Family Owned and Operated: Owner Sanson Faltine is hands-on with design, and customers often mention him by name in reviews.
- Our Own Crew: No subcontractors. The team that plans your pergola builds it.
- Built for Houston: Footings, framing and finishes chosen for clay soil, humidity, heavy rain and storm season.
- Clear Quotes: Free consultation and a line-by-line estimate before any work starts.
"Sanson guided and walked us thru the entire process and gave his recommendation based on his years of vast experience. Very pleased by quality of work."
Nabeel N., Google review
Areas We Serve
Pergolas Across Greater Houston
We build pergolas throughout Houston, Fort Bend County and nearby cities. Pick your area to see what else we do there.
- Pergolas in Katy Custom pergolas for Katy patios, pool decks and outdoor kitchens.
- Pergolas in Richmond Pergola design and building close to our Richmond home base.
- Pergolas in Sugar Land Cedar and aluminum pergolas for Sugar Land backyards.
- Pergolas in Fulshear Freestanding and attached pergolas for Fulshear homes.
- Pergolas in Sienna Pergolas that fit Sienna HOA guidelines and new-build yards.
- Pergolas in Rosenberg Shade structures for Rosenberg patios and gardens.
- Pergolas in Cypress Louvered and cedar pergolas for Cypress outdoor living.
- Pergolas in Memorial Custom pergolas designed for Memorial area homes.
- Pergolas in Bellaire Pergolas sized for Bellaire lots and back patios.
- Pergolas in Pearland Pergola building for Pearland patios and pool areas.
Not listed? See all the areas we serve or call (832) 545-9435.
Pergola FAQ
Pergola Questions From Houston Homeowners
How much does a pergola cost in Houston?
Most of the pergolas we build fall into three ranges. A standard 8x8 to 10x10 ft wood or aluminum pergola runs about $4,000 to $8,000. A mid-size pergola, about 10x12 to 14x14 ft, runs about $8,000 to $15,000. Large custom pergolas start around $15,000. Your price depends on size, material (cedar, treated pine or aluminum), footings, and add-ons like louvers, a roof panel, fans or lights. We give you a free, itemized estimate after we see your yard, so you know the full pergola cost before any work starts.
Do you need a permit for a pergola in Houston?
Often, yes. The City of Houston lists pergolas with porches, awnings and carports as single-family outdoor improvements that go through the Houston Permitting Center. Rules are different in Sugar Land, Katy, Pearland and in unincorporated parts of Harris and Fort Bend County, and a pergola with a solid roof is more likely to need a permit than an open one. Many HOAs also want to approve plans first. We look at the rules for your address during design, so there are no surprises.
What is the difference between a pergola and a gazebo?
A pergola has posts and an open roof made of beams and slats. It gives filtered shade, and rain falls through unless you add louvers or a cover. A gazebo has a solid roof and open sides. It usually stands on its own in the yard and gives full shade and rain cover. Pergolas often sit over a patio or attach to the house. Gazebos work as a separate spot to sit, like a room in the garden. We build both, so we can help you pick.
Is a pergola or a patio cover better for Houston weather?
It depends on how you want to use the space. A pergola with an open top gives dappled shade and keeps light coming into your windows, but it will not keep you dry in a storm. A patio cover has a solid roof, so it blocks sun and rain and can hold fans and lights. If you want both, a louvered pergola or a covered pergola is the middle ground. With Houston's hot summers and about 50 inches of rain a year, many homeowners pick some kind of rain cover.
What is the best wood for a pergola in Houston?
Cedar is a common pick because it holds up well against rot and insects and takes stain nicely. Pressure-treated pine costs less but needs a good sealer or paint to look its best in our humid climate. If you want almost no upkeep, an aluminum pergola will not rot, warp or need staining. Whatever you choose, plan to clean and reseal wood every few years. We walk you through the trade-offs on price and upkeep before you decide.
Can a pergola be attached to my house?
Yes. An attached pergola connects to your home on one side and stands on posts on the other. It is a good fit over a back patio or door. A freestanding pergola stands on its own posts and footings, so it can go anywhere: by the pool, over an outdoor kitchen, or at the far end of the yard. We look at your roofline, gutters and where the afternoon sun hits to help you choose.
Can you add fans, lights or a roof to a pergola?
Yes. We can add ceiling fans, lighting and outlets so you can use the pergola after dark and on still summer days. For rain protection, we can build a covered pergola with a solid roof section, or install an adjustable louvered system you open and close. If you already have a pergola and want more cover, ask us about a patio cover instead. We plan all add-ons during design so the wiring stays neat and hidden.
“Working with Sanson and his crew was a pleasurable experience. Great attention to detail, accurate estimate on project schedule, and results that exceeded expectations. Have already recommended Sanson and HL Images to several others and will work with them again in the future!!”
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4.9 from 73 Google reviews · 30+ years · Family-owned