A gazebo is a covered structure that provides shade in a garden. Gazebos are traditionally wooden and octagonal shaped, often with benches beneath the roof and planter boxes along the outer sides. Modern gazebos can be any shape, including square and round, and may have canvas roofs and metal legs. Gazebos can be made of metal, wood, wood-look resin or composite, vinyl, or a combination of materials.
Typical costs:
A gazebo costs $150-$15,000 depending on the size, shape, materials used, complexity of design, and brand name.
Simple canvas-roofed gazebos cost $150-$600. These can be purchased at home improvement stores such as Lowes[1] and Home Depot[2] and at discount department stores like Target[3] .
Wooden and wood-look composite gazebo kits cost $2,000-$10,000 and are sold by big-box department stores like Wal-Mart[4] and home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes.
Building materials for a homemade gazebo cost $1,500-$3,000, depending on the size of the gazebo and the materials to be used. Lumber that can be used for gazebos is sold at lumber yards or home improvement stores such as Home Depot[5] . Hardware and accessories for gazebos are sold at home improvement and hardware stores including Ace Hardware[6] . Plans for a gazebo cost about $15-$40 and can be purchased from carpentry design vendors such as New Yankee Workshop.
A canvas-roofed gazebo kit should include the canvas roof, the legs, and hardware to assemble the gazebo.
A wood or wood-look gazebo kit should include all lumber and hardware necessary to assemble the gazebo. In addition, a gazebo kit should have a complete set of plans and instructions describing the construction of the gazebo. Instructions may also be found online at the kit company's website.
Some gazebo kits include partially constructed wall and roof sections for easier assembly. Check the product description to determine how much pre-construction to expect.
Plans for homemade gazebos should include lists of lumber and hardware needed to complete the project as well as instructions and schematic drawings of the structure.
Additional costs:
Floors are not always included with gazebo kits. A separate gazebo floor costs $1,250-$2,200. Check the gazebo categories of the online catalogs for stores like Lowes and Home Depot to find gazebo floor kits.
Some gazebo kits do not come with screens to keep insects out. Screen kits designed for specific prefab gazebo kits cost $725-$800.
Pre-made gazebo roofs can make it easier for DIY gazebo builders to complete their structures. A shingled gazebo roof kit costs $630-$730 in the gazebo section of a home improvement store. The canvas tops of easy-up gazebos can wear out or tear.
Consider shipping costs when ordering a gazebo kit online. Shipping can cost well over $100, depending on the weight of the kit and the speed of shipping.
A gazebo kit can be assembled and installed by a handyman or general contractor. For more information about finding a handyman, see How Much Does a Handyman Cost. Expect to pay for at least $500 for installation of a gazebo.
Discounts:
Because putting up a gazebo is traditionally a late spring or summer project, stores sometimes offer kits and easy-up gazebos on sale in the fall and winter months.
Shopping for a gazebo:
Before deciding on a size or style of gazebo, examine the outdoor space in which it will be erected. An enormous gazebo can dwarf a small lawn or yard, while a small gazebo can get lost in a larger yard.
Consider the climate when choosing materials for a gazebo. If the gazebo will be soaked with rain frequently, choose a wood such as cypress or a wood-look resin/composite that resists water damage. Be sure that less resistant woods are finished or treated to resist the elements, and that wrought iron is coated with an anti-rust finish. Plan to remove a canvas cover (or the whole gazebo structure) of an "easy up" style gazebo each fall before the rainy season.
Decide whether to purchase an "easy-up" canvas-roofed square gazebo, a wooden gazebo kit, or the materials to build a custom gazebo. The more customized the gazebo, the more carpentry skills are required (or the higher the cost will be to have a professional assemble the gazebo).
Consider whether a gazebo kit or custom-built gazebo will need a concrete foundation poured beneath it. If a foundation is required, the cost of the project may go up considerably.
This Old House[7] describes selecting the right style of permanent wood or wood-look gazebo, then building it or assembling it from a kit.
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
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