A pergola in McLean in 2026 is rarely a cosmetic shade structure anymore. Almost every pergola we are quoting for 22101, 22102, 22066, and 22124 is a structural anchor for a fully-integrated outdoor room — lighting, fans, heaters, and sometimes a retractable canopy mounted to the beams. The pricing has moved accordingly.
I'm Nelson, owner of Kaeler. We have built pergolas across McLean, Great Falls, Vienna, and Oakton for almost two decades. This is the 2026 cost breakdown — what each material costs, what cover options add, and where the pergola sits relative to a pavilion on resale weight.
The short answer: 2026 pergola cost in NoVA
| Pergola type | Total range (2026) | Typical install | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard cedar pergola, 10×12 ft, open beams | $7,800 – $13,500 | $10,400 | Vienna, Oakton standard |
| Cedar pergola with rafter cover (slatted shade) | $11,500 – $18,800 | $14,700 | Vienna, McLean mid-tier |
| Aluminum / fiberglass pergola, 12×14 ft | $14,200 – $22,500 | $17,800 | McLean, Great Falls modern |
| Pergola with retractable canopy | $18,500 – $30,800 | $24,500 | McLean, Falls Church premium |
| Pergola attached to house with cover | $19,400 – $34,200 | $26,800 | McLean integrated builds |
| Pavilion (solid roof, true cover) | $28,000 – $65,000+ | $46,000 | Great Falls estate builds |
Where pergola vs pavilion matters: for the same outdoor space, a pavilion (solid roof) catches roughly 65–75% of cost on resale; a pergola catches 30–55%. The pavilion difference is meaningful in 22101 and 22102 where appraisers count covered outdoor square footage closer to indoor sq ft.
Cost breakdown by line item
Material costs (2026 NoVA pricing)
| Material | Cost per sq ft of footprint | Lifespan in NoVA |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar (pressure-treated posts, cedar beams) | $65 – $115 | 15 – 25 years |
| Western red cedar (full premium) | $95 – $170 | 20 – 35 years |
| Cypress | $90 – $160 | 25 – 40 years |
| Aluminum (powder-coated) | $115 – $200 | 30 – 50 years |
| Fiberglass | $135 – $230 | 30 – 50 years |
| Steel structural with wood overlay | $145 – $260 | 40 – 60 years |
Aluminum and fiberglass are the most popular in McLean and Great Falls in 2026 — they look architectural, do not require restaining, and handle NoVA freeze-thaw without issue. Cedar is still the workhorse choice in Vienna and Oakton where homeowners want a more traditional look.
Foundations and structural
A pergola is a wind-loaded structure. The foundation matters more than most clients expect.
| Foundation type | 2026 cost (per post) | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete pier (sonotube), 30" deep | $280 – $480 | Standard cedar pergola |
| Concrete pier with anchor bracket | $320 – $620 | Aluminum / engineered pergola |
| Concrete footing with stamped post sleeve | $420 – $800 | Premium designs |
| Spread footing for engineered loads | $580 – $1,200 | Pavilions, attached pergolas with cover |
For a typical 4-post pergola: $1,200 – $2,500 in foundation work alone. For pavilions (6–8 footings), $3,500 – $9,800.
Cover options
The cover is the single largest swing in pergola pricing.
| Cover type | Cost added (2026) | Use case |
|---|---|---|
| No cover (open beams only) | $0 | Architectural shade only |
| Slatted rafter top (cedar or aluminum) | $1,800 – $4,200 | Partial shade through the day |
| Polycarbonate panels | $2,400 – $5,200 | Weather protection, light cover |
| Aluminum louvered roof (manual or motorized) | $6,400 – $13,800 | Adjustable open/closed |
| Retractable canvas canopy | $4,200 – $9,400 | Manual or motorized, on rails |
| Solid roof (asphalt shingle, metal) | $14,000 – $24,000 | Pavilion conversion |
| Full pavilion roof tied to house | $22,000 – $50,000+ | Integrated covered outdoor living |
The aluminum louvered roof is the fastest-growing 2026 trend in McLean and Falls Church. Motorized louvers (open for sun, closed for rain) deliver pavilion-like protection at roughly 50% of pavilion cost.
Built-in upgrades that move the price
The pergola is rarely an isolated build. Common 2026 add-ons:
| Upgrade | 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Integrated low-voltage lighting (per fixture) | $90 – $220 |
| Ceiling fan with rated outdoor box | $480 – $1,100 |
| Mounted patio heater (hard-piped natural gas) | $1,400 – $3,200 |
| Privacy curtains or shade panels | $1,200 – $2,800 |
| Audio (in-ceiling speakers) | $800 – $2,200 |
| Smart-home integration (HomeKit / Hubitat) | $480 – $1,400 |
| TV mount with outdoor TV | $1,800 – $4,400 |
| Climbing planter system (cables + planters) | $400 – $1,200 |
A typical Kaeler "premium pergola build" in McLean in 2026 includes pergola + cover + lighting + ceiling fan + gas heater. Lands around $24,000 – $34,000 all-in.
Cost by city: McLean vs Great Falls vs Vienna vs Oakton
McLean (22101, 22102)
- Typical pergola + cover + integrations: $22,000 – $34,000
- Most-built scope: Aluminum or fiberglass pergola, 12×14 ft, louvered roof, low-voltage lighting, ceiling fan, gas heater. Often attached to house.
- Driver: Integration with existing patio + outdoor kitchen builds. Most McLean pergolas are part of larger outdoor room scopes.
Great Falls (22066)
- Typical pavilion + cover: $40,000 – $80,000
- Most-built scope: Solid-roof pavilion attached to house, tied into existing roof line, full integrated lighting + ceiling fans + fire feature underneath.
- Driver: Estate lots, premium scope. Pergolas less common — pavilions standard.
Vienna (22180, 22182)
- Typical pergola + cover: $13,500 – $22,000
- Most-built scope: Cedar pergola, 10×12 ft, slatted rafter cover or retractable canopy, lighting plan.
- Driver: Mid-tier residential. Pergolas frequently freestanding in the yard, integrating with existing patios.
Oakton (22124)
- Typical pergola + cover: $14,200 – $23,500
- Most-built scope: Cedar or aluminum pergola, 10×12 ft, rafter cover or polycarbonate panels, lighting.
- Driver: Suburban yards, premium materials common but design more traditional than McLean.
For deeper context on overall outdoor build pricing and integration approach, see our outdoor living trends piece for 2026 NoVA and our outdoor kitchen ROI breakdown.
Permits in Fairfax County
Pergolas under a defined footprint and attached or freestanding configuration may or may not require permits in Fairfax County:
| Scope | Permit required? |
|---|---|
| Freestanding pergola, under 200 sq ft, no electrical | Usually no |
| Freestanding pergola, over 200 sq ft | Yes — building permit |
| Any pergola with electrical (lighting, fan) | Yes — electrical permit |
| Any pergola with gas (heater) | Yes — gas permit |
| Pergola attached to house | Yes — building permit |
| Pavilion (any size) | Yes — building permit |
| HOA architectural review | Almost always, in covenanted communities |
We pull all required permits as part of the scope on every pergola build.
How to compare 3 pergola quotes
If you are shopping the project, expect a 30–55% spread between low and high bids. Common patterns:
- Foundation depth and type. Ask whether posts are anchored to concrete piers and how deep. 30-inch piers are standard; less than 18 inches is undersized for NoVA wind loads.
- Wood treatment specification. Is the wood treated cedar, treated pine with cedar overlay, or untreated cedar? Each has a different lifespan.
- Fastener type. Stainless or coated structural screws hold up; standard galvanized fail in 8–12 years.
- Cover system warranty. Aluminum louvered roofs should carry a 10+ year mechanical warranty.
- Permit inclusion. Is the permit pulled by the contractor and included in the price, or pushed onto you as an extra?
Frequently asked questions
Wood or aluminum — which is the better choice in NoVA?
For low-maintenance and long lifespan, aluminum or fiberglass. For traditional look and lower upfront cost, cedar. The 2026 trend in McLean and Great Falls is toward aluminum; the 2026 trend in Vienna and Oakton is still cedar. Both work in NoVA climate.
How long does a cedar pergola last in Northern Virginia?
A pressure-treated post / cedar beam pergola lasts 15–25 years with stain refresh every 2–4 years. Full premium cedar with stainless fasteners can last 25–35 years. Aluminum pergolas last 30–50 years.
Is a pergola or a pavilion better for resale in McLean?
Pavilion every time at the high end. Pavilions count as covered outdoor living square footage to appraisers; pergolas count as outdoor space. The pavilion premium pays back 65–75% on resale in 22101 and 22102, vs 30–55% for pergolas. See our outdoor kitchen ROI piece for the appraisal methodology.
Can a pergola be installed over an existing patio?
Yes — and we do this frequently. The posts anchor through the patio surface to concrete piers below, with stamped sleeves around the post bases. Adds roughly $400–$800 per post to the foundation work compared to installing pergola and patio simultaneously.
Does a pergola need to be attached to the house?
No. Freestanding pergolas are stable when properly anchored. Attached pergolas integrate visually with the house and read as part of the architecture — often the right call for McLean and Great Falls integrated builds.
What about ceiling fans and heaters — can I add them after the pergola is built?
Yes, but it is significantly cheaper to wire and pre-plumb during the initial build. Retrofit electrical for a ceiling fan after a pergola is built costs roughly 2× the original wiring cost. We always recommend wiring during initial build, even if the fan or heater is not installed immediately.
Ready to scope your pergola?
If you want a real number for a real pergola on your specific lot, with the integration plan and resale math laid out — book a free pergola site visit. We will walk the property and sketch the design before any number lands on paper.
We build pergolas and pavilions across McLean, Great Falls, Oakton, Vienna, Falls Church, and the rest of the 18 NoVA cities we serve. See all areas we serve.
