"We had a large fencing job done, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. The workmanship was excellent, the fence looks fantastic, and the attention to detail really shows. The whole process was professional from start to finish, with the job completed to a very high standard. It’s clear that pride was taken in the work, and the finished result has made a huge difference to the property. We would have no hesitation in recommending Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for a reliable, professional fence builder. Brilliant job and an excellent result."
Pergola Builders in Palmerston North
Pergolas over decks, patios and entranceways, built and fixed so they handle Manawatū wind.
- Free on-site measure and quote within 48 hours
- Slatted, louvred, clear-roofed or left open
- Attached to the house or fully freestanding
- Screening, lighting and blinds built in
Get your free on-site quoteTakes 30 seconds. We reply within 1 working day.
- 5-starrated by customers
- 10+ yrsbuilding decks
- 100+projects completed
- 100%workmanship guaranteed
About our pergolas
A pergola decides whether you use the deck.
Most outdoor areas in the Manawatū get used far less than they could. Either the afternoon sun makes the deck unbearable from two o’clock, or a bit of rain shuts it down entirely. A pergola fixes whichever of those is your problem, and it costs a fraction of building a room.
The part worth thinking about is what you want it to do. Open rafters and slats are for controlling sun, and they do it beautifully. They do very little about rain. A clear or louvred roof keeps the weather off and turns the deck into somewhere you can sit in September, but it changes the framing, the fixings and the price. Getting that decision right at the quote is most of the job.
After that it is about the structure looking like it belongs. Post sizes that suit the span rather than the cheapest option, rafters spaced evenly, and the whole thing lined up with the lines of the house. A pergola sits at eye level from inside, so anything out of square is something you look at every day.
What the job involves
How we build a pergola
It starts with where the posts land and how high the beams sit. Head height under the beam has to work for the tallest person in the house, the top has to clear the windows and eaves, and if it is attached the fixing height is set by the cladding and the roofline. All of that gets pegged out before anything is ordered.
Then the structure. Posts either bolted to new concrete footings or fixed down onto the existing deck substructure where it can carry the load, braced plumb, then the main beams go on. Post and beam sizes come off the span rather than off whatever is cheapest at the yard.
Rafters or slats go on at even centres, and if it is being roofed the frame gets pitched enough to shed water before the sheeting and flashings go on. Anything attached to the house gets flashed properly at the junction. Then screening, lighting and a coat of stain or paint if it is in the job.
- Free measure and quoteIncluded
- Set out, heights and post positionsDay 1
- Footings dug and concretedDay 1
- Posts set plumb and bracedDay 1-2
- Beams fixed, house junction flashedDay 2
- Rafters or slats fixed at centresDay 2-3
- Roofing, guttering, screeningDay 2-3
- Stain or paint, tidy upDay 3-4
Our work
Pergolas we have built around Palmerston North
Photos from our recent jobs. Tap any photo to see it bigger, then swipe through.
Want something like this at your place?
Get my free quote
Roof options
Four ways to cover it
This is the decision that matters most, because it sets what the space is good for and what it costs. We talk it through on site with the aspect of your section in front of us.
Open rafters
The simplest and cheapest. Breaks up the light, gives the space structure and something for a vine to grow over. No shelter from rain.
Slatted roof
Fixed slats angled and spaced to block the sun you do not want and let through the sun you do. Good shade, some rain protection, striped light across the deck.
Clear or solid roofing
Polycarbonate or roofing sheet on a pitched frame. Keeps the rain off completely, so the deck works year round. Guttering where it is needed.
Louvred systems
Aluminium blades that open for sun and close for rain, manual or motorised. The dearest option and the only one that does both properly.
Deck pricing
What decides the cost of a pergola in Palmerston North?
Pergola cost has too many variables to quote sight unseen. Costs are always subject to change, and many factors affect the final price.
Size and timber
A bigger span needs bigger posts and beams, and the timber you pick changes the price.
Roof type
Open rafters are the simplest, and slatted, clear or louvred roofs add materials and labour.
Where the posts land
Posts on an existing deck are different from posts that need new footings.
Extras and access
Lighting, screening and site access change the job, and we list them as their own lines in the written quote.
Why we quote on site, not over the phone
Every one of these factors changes from property to property, so a price over the phone is a guess. We come out, measure up and give you a fixed written price within 48 hours. See our deck cost guide for more.
Estimate only. Costs are always subject to change and many factors affect the final price. Contact us for an accurate written quote.
Testimonials
What your Palmerston North neighbours say about our deck building
5.0
5-star rated by customers
"We couldn’t be happier with the work from Guy at Rowdy Builders. From start to finish, he was friendly, professional and incredibly organised. He coordinated all aspects of the work, including arranging the additional trades required, and kept us well informed throughout the entire process. Everything was handled smoothly and professionally, and the end result was fantastic. We would highly recommend Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for quality workmanship and an stress-free experience"
"We recently had Guy and his ream construct a roof over the deck of our new house. He was pleasant and punctual on the site visit and made a number of suggestions on how it could be achieved. His quote was very reasonable and his timeline was stuck to. We are very happy with the result and recommend him to anyone looking for a similar job."
"We recently engaged Guy from Rowdy Builders to repair a wooden fence blown over in strong winds, and construct a medium size deck at our property. From the outset, Guy was professional, approachable, and communicated extremely well, keeping us updated on progress and ensuring we knew what to expect at each stage of the project. The quality of workmanship was outstanding. The fence repairs were completed to a high standard, and the new deck has completely transformed our outdoor area. It is clear that Guy takes pride in his work and pays attention to detail, delivering a finished product that exceeded our expectations. We are extremely pleased with the result and would not hesitate to recommend Guy and Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for reliable, skilled tradespeople who deliver what they promise."
Swipe for more reviews →
Why work with us
Why Palmerston North homeowners hire our deck builders
We keep it simple. Three things built well, a small team you can actually get hold of, and a price that stacks up against anyone else in town.
100+projects completed
10+years on the tools
One price, in writing
The quote lists the timber, the sizes and what is included, so there are no surprises.
The quoter is the builder
Small team by choice. Whoever measures your job is the one on the tools building it.
Built for Manawatū weather
Posts go deeper on exposed sites, and boards are spaced so water drains instead of sitting.
Guaranteed workmanship
If something we built is not right, we come back and put it right.
How it works
From first call to finished job
You deal with the same person from the first phone call to the final walk-through. No call centres, no runaround.
Give us a call
Ring 027 755 2948 or fill in the form. Tell us roughly what you are after and where you are.
We come and look
We come to your place, measure up, check access and talk through timber and layout options with you.
Price within 48 hours
You get a written price within 48 hours of us being on site, with what is included spelled out.
We build it
Old structure out, posts and piles in, then framing, boards and rails. We let you know what is happening each day.
Tidy up and hand over
We clear the offcuts and old material, tidy the site and walk the finished job with you before we leave.
Get it right first time
Pergola problems to avoid
Most regrets come from the same handful of mistakes. Here is what goes wrong, and how we prevent it.
What goes wrong
Open rafters on a pergola that people expect to keep the rain off.
How we prevent it
We decide the roof option on site before we build: clear or solid roofing or a louvred system if you want shelter from rain.
What goes wrong
Posts landing on a deck that cannot carry them.
How we prevent it
We check the substructure first and either land posts over existing bearers and piles or put new footings in beside the deck.
What goes wrong
A junction with the house that lets water in.
How we prevent it
Anything attached to the house gets flashed properly at the junction.
What goes wrong
Post and beam sizes picked to be the cheapest option.
How we prevent it
Post and beam sizes come off the span.
What goes wrong
Slats running the wrong way for the sun.
How we prevent it
We look at the aspect of your section rather than guessing.
What we do
Other work we do around Palmerston North
Every job starts the same way: we come out, measure up, talk through timber and layout, and leave you a fixed written price.
New decks
New decks, from a small landing off the back door to a raised deck with steps and rails. We handle the whole job: pulling out the old one, setting the piles and framing, laying the boards and finishing the edges and stairs.
Composite decks
Low-maintenance composite decking: no oiling, no staining, no splinters. We build the frame to suit composite, with closer joist spacing, proper expansion gaps and ventilation underneath.
Kwila and hardwood decks
Kwila, vitex and garapa timber decks with fixings that will not stain the boards. Hardwood is the choice when you want a deck that looks premium and wears hard.
Covered decks and deck roofs
A roof or pergola over the deck so you can use it in Manawatū rain and sun. Fixed into the house structure and built to handle the wind.
Fence building
New fences and replacements, boundary or internal. A fence stands or falls on how the posts go in and whether the line is set before the rails go on, so that is where we spend the time.
Guides
Guides for Palmerston North homeowners
About us
Meet Rowdy Builders, Palmerston North deck builders
A pergola decides whether you use the deck, and we build it to look like it belongs on the house.
Rowdy Builders is a small Palmerston North building company run by Guy, who was born and raised here. We build decks, fences and pergolas, and we have been doing it for over ten years across Palmerston North, Feilding and the surrounding Manawatū.
- 10+ years building in the Manawatū
- Fully insured, workmanship guaranteed
- A fixed written price within 48 hours of the on-site quote
FAQs
Pergola questions we get asked
How long does a pergola take to build?
Most pergolas are three to five days on site. A larger structure, a louvred roof or a full roof over the top takes longer. You get the schedule up front and we stick to it.
Will a pergola keep the rain off?
Only if you roof it. Open rafters and slats manage sun, not rain. If you want to sit out there through a wet Manawatū afternoon you need clear polycarbonate, roofing sheet or a louvred system that closes. Worth deciding before we build, because the framing differs.
Attached to the house or freestanding?
Attached feels like part of the house and needs one fewer row of posts, but it has to be flashed properly where it meets the cladding. Freestanding avoids touching the building at all, which suits some claddings and some council situations better. We work out which is right on site.
How much does a pergola cost?
Too many variables to quote sight unseen. Size, timber, whether it is roofed, whether the posts land on an existing deck or need new footings, and site access all move it substantially. We measure up and give you a firm written price.
Can you build a pergola over my existing deck?
Usually, yes, but the deck has to be able to carry it. Post loads are concentrated, so we check the substructure first and either land the posts over existing bearers and piles or put new footings in beside the deck. We tell you which at the quote.
Which way should the slats run?
It depends where the sun comes from. Slats running one way block the harsh afternoon sun and let the morning through; the other way does the opposite. We look at the aspect of your section rather than guessing.
What timber do you use?
Dressed H3.2 treated pine for most jobs, stained or painted to suit the house. Hardwood or cedar where you want the timber left natural and it is on show. Aluminium for louvred systems.
Can you add lighting and screening?
Yes, and it is far cheaper to build in now than to retrofit. Wiring can be run through the framing before it closes up, and slatted side screens turn a pergola into a space you use when the wind is up.
Are you insured?
Yes, fully insured on every job. We are happy to send the details through with your quote if you want them.
Where do you work?
Palmerston North, Feilding and the surrounding Manawatū, including Ashhurst, Aokautere, Kelvin Grove and Hokowhitu. If you are not sure whether you are in our patch, ring us and ask.
Areas we serve
Deck builders across Palmerston North, Feilding and the Manawatū
From Hokowhitu to Aokautere, out to Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Longburn and Linton, and across to Feilding and the wider Manawatū. We come out to quote for free.
Contact us
Get a firm price for your deck
- Free on-site measure and quote
- Fixed written price within 48 hours
- No job too small, from a landing to a full deck
Prefer to talk? Give us a call:
027 755 2948Get your free on-site quoteTakes 30 seconds. We reply within 1 working day.