Custom vs Kit Comparison · Houston, TX
Custom Cedar Pergola vs Kit, Side by Side
If you are looking at a kit online and a custom quote on paper, they are two different products. The table below sets them next to each other on the seven things that decide how a pergola performs in Houston.
| What you compare | Custom built on site (ours) | Pergola kit |
|---|---|---|
| Fit and sizing | Measured and cut on site to your patio, pool deck or yard, attached or freestanding | Fixed sizes such as 10 by 12 and 12 by 16 feet, so your patio has to fit the kit |
| Material | Solid Western Red Cedar, with no hollow or pieced together parts | Aluminum or vinyl sections pieced together. In our view, thin and light, close to gutter stock |
| Customization | Built for your space and your home's style | Fixed, with no customization |
| Footings | Footers at least 2 feet deep and 2 feet across, sized case by case for Houston clay | A separate job on top of the box price, so ask who digs them and how deep |
| Permits and HOA | We pull the permit and handle HOA drawings. Permit fees and HOA fees are included in our price | Usually left to you, since the box holds parts and not paperwork |
| Finish | Stained and sealed. Per the stain manufacturer, no restaining for 10 years | Whatever finish ships on the parts. Aluminum kits can rust at the fasteners in humidity |
| Warranty | Lifetime workmanship warranty in writing, plus the manufacturer warranty on all materials | A parts warranty from the kit maker, if any. Ask who covers the installation |
Our custom Western Red Cedar pergolas cost $2,100 to $5,500 for most residential projects. A kit price usually covers the parts in the box, and footings, labor and permits come on top. To compare fairly, ask for the installed price of the kit and set it next to our range. Our Houston pergola cost guide breaks down what moves the number.
Why Fit, Footings and Material Decide It
Most kit regrets come from one of three things: a size that does not fit the patio, footings that move, or thin parts that give in the wind.
A kit asks your yard to change. If your patio is 11 feet wide and the kit is 10 or 12, you are cutting the plan to match the box. A pergola we measure and cut on site starts from your slab, your house line and your sun, so the posts land where they should.
Footings matter just as much. Houston clay swells when wet and shrinks as it dries, and a shallow post follows the soil. Our footers are at least 2 feet deep and 2 feet across, sized case by case, and in most yards that is enough.
Material is the other gap. In our view, aluminum is thin, light stock, close to gutter material, and it bends in Gulf Coast wind. Vinyl has the same problem, with sections pieced together and no solid material. We build only in solid cedar. See how it goes together on our custom cedar pergolas in Houston page.
When a Kit Can Make Sense
A kit is not a bad idea for everyone. It is the wrong idea for a lot of Houston yards, so here is an honest look at who it can fit.
A kit can make sense in a few cases. Your budget is small. Your slab already matches a standard kit size. You are handy and will dig the footings, check the permit and HOA rules, and put it together yourself.
If all three are true, a kit is a fair way to get shade. If one is not, the box price stops being the whole price, because someone still has to do the footings, labor and paperwork. We do not install aluminum kits, so we are not the right call for that route.
If you want it built for your space by a crew that stays through the walkthrough, request a free pergola estimate and we will measure your yard.
Get a Free Pergola Estimate
Tell us about your patio below, or call (832) 509-5457. We come out, measure your space, check your HOA rules and give you a real number for your yard. The estimate is free, and our hours are Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm. You can also get a free estimate through our contact page.