Project description
We are planning to add a freestanding wooden pergola to our backyard patio and are looking for a skilled outdoor carpenter or small construction crew to handle the entire build from footings to finishing touches. The structure should be roughly twelve feet by fourteen feet, framed from rough-sawn cedar posts and beams, chosen for its natural resistance to moisture and insects without heavy chemical treatment. Each corner post needs to sit on a poured concrete footing set below the frost line, with galvanized post bases to keep the wood off the ground and prevent rot at the base.
The centerpiece of the project is a retractable fabric canopy mounted on a track system between the main beams, so we can slide it closed for shade during hot afternoons and open it back up on cooler evenings to enjoy the stars. The canopy fabric should be a weather-resistant outdoor grade material, and the track hardware needs to be rated for outdoor use and able to handle wind without flapping loose. We would also like guidance on choosing a fabric color that complements the existing patio pavers.
In addition to the main frame and canopy, the project includes integrated string lighting woven along the top beams and down two of the posts, with a weatherproof junction box and a dedicated switch near the patio door rather than an exposed extension cord. All lumber joints should be reinforced with structural screws and hidden brackets rather than visible metal plates where possible, and all exposed wood needs two coats of an exterior sealant matched to the natural cedar tone.
We can provide rough sketches and photos of the patio area, but are open to suggestions on exact beam spacing, rafter tail detailing, and footing depth based on local frost conditions. Please include your approach to bracing for wind load, an estimated timeline broken into footings, framing, canopy installation, and lighting and finishing stages, and whether you can source the canopy track system yourself or need us to order specific parts.
The centerpiece of the project is a retractable fabric canopy mounted on a track system between the main beams, so we can slide it closed for shade during hot afternoons and open it back up on cooler evenings to enjoy the stars. The canopy fabric should be a weather-resistant outdoor grade material, and the track hardware needs to be rated for outdoor use and able to handle wind without flapping loose. We would also like guidance on choosing a fabric color that complements the existing patio pavers.
In addition to the main frame and canopy, the project includes integrated string lighting woven along the top beams and down two of the posts, with a weatherproof junction box and a dedicated switch near the patio door rather than an exposed extension cord. All lumber joints should be reinforced with structural screws and hidden brackets rather than visible metal plates where possible, and all exposed wood needs two coats of an exterior sealant matched to the natural cedar tone.
We can provide rough sketches and photos of the patio area, but are open to suggestions on exact beam spacing, rafter tail detailing, and footing depth based on local frost conditions. Please include your approach to bracing for wind load, an estimated timeline broken into footings, framing, canopy installation, and lighting and finishing stages, and whether you can source the canopy track system yourself or need us to order specific parts.
Other / Miscellaneous Cash, Bank transfer
