Building a pergola is a great addition to any house, provided you use the right plans, tools and techniques. If you have a limited budget, you can still get the job done if you decide to build the pergola by yourself. On the other hand, if you have enough money, you can hire a qualified contractor to build the pergola for you, or you could buy a pergola kit. Irrespective of your choice, there are several essential aspects regarding the building process, which I am going to refer in this article. The first step is to choose the right plans for your needs, tastes and budget. This procedure is straight forward, as there are many plans to choose from, which are free or come in exchange of a small fee. When choosing the plans, make sure they come with a complete list of materials and tools required for the job. After you have decided the plans you are going to use, you should choose the location of the pergola. The location of the pergola is essential for your project, therefore we recommend you take the decision with great care and attention. Afterwards, you have to consult the local building regulations, as they are several requirements you have to comply with. Setting the 4x4 wooden posts into position is easy, if you use several braces and a spirit level to plumb them, before inserting the nails through the metal anchors. In addition, you should make sure the posts are perfectly aligned one with another, otherwise your pergola won't have a neat look. Next, you have to secure the support beams (made either of 2x6 or 2x8 beams)to the posts, by drilling pilot holes and using lag bolts. You have to remember that before inserting the bolts, you should level the beams with a spirit level, lock it into position with several C-clamps and fasten the screws through the pre-drilled holes. rn rn The last step of your project is to build the crossbeams and to install them into place. The distance between the 2x4 crossbeams varies from 10 inches up to 1 foot, according to how much light you want to get through the roof of the pergola. If you don't have enough experience in working with lumber or you just don't have enough time to undertake the project by yourself, you could buy a pergola kit and hire a contractor to assemble it for you. In this manner, you will save time but increase the total expenditures. See more information about free pergola plans.
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