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Contemporary house elevation with a pergola-covered terrace and timber soffit above a pool deck

Engineered for 175 mph.
Finished for every evening
in between.

A pergola in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone is a load-bearing structure, not a shade kit. Every post, beam and rafter connection is engineered for uplift, lateral and shear force, built with NOA-rated hardware, permitted and inspected.

Discuss Your Pergola See The Work
  • Licensed, bonded & insured · CBC1265280
  • 104 municipalities across 3 counties
  • Design-build: permitting & construction in-house

Miami-Dade · Broward & Palm Beach Counties

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The ServiceSection 02 of 15

A shade structure the county treats as a building.

A pergola is an open or louvred roof structure carried on posts, built either freestanding or attached to the house. In South Florida it is permitted, engineered and inspected like any other structure.

Everywhere else in the country a pergola is a weekend kit. Inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone it is a load-bearing structure sitting in open exposure, and the building department reviews it accordingly. An engineer of record calculates uplift, lateral and shear force at every connection — post to footing, beam to post, rafter to beam — and those signed and sealed drawings are what the permit is actually issued against. That is the work, and it happens before anything is dug.

Engineered to175 MPH

Design wind speeds in Miami-Dade can reach 175 mph or more depending on site and exposure category. The structure is engineered to the figure your address actually carries.

HardwareNOA

Connectors, fasteners and many complete aluminium framing systems carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance — evidence the hardware was tested to the standard the drawings claim.

Licensed GCCBC1265280

Elbaz Construction holds the certified building contractor licence and pulls the permit as contractor of record.

ScopeSection 03 of 15

What a permitted pergola actually involves.

The structure is the visible part. Most of the work sits either side of it.

01Site and structural assessmentWhether the pergola stands freestanding or attaches to the house, and whether the existing structure can carry the attachment loads.

An attached pergola transfers real load into the house wall or tie beam, so that connection has to be assessed before the design is fixed. Setbacks, easements, existing slab condition, drainage and the position of the pool barrier all get walked at the same time.

02Wind-load engineeringAn engineer of record calculates uplift, lateral and shear force at every connection and specifies the hardware to resist it.

A pergola is not approved as a general category. It is engineered as this pergola, on this site, at this exposure category. The engineer works through post-to-footing uplift, beam-to-post lateral and shear, and rafter-to-beam connections individually.

03Product approval documentationNOA numbers assembled for connectors, fasteners and any proprietary framing or louvre system used.

This is the mechanism the county uses to confirm the hardware actually in the ground was tested to the wind-load standard being claimed. Missing or expired approval numbers are a common cause of plan-review comments.

04PermittingSigned and sealed structural drawings submitted to the local building department, with electrical included where the design calls for it.

Requirements differ across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, and a pool enclosure, HOA review or a corner lot can each add a step. We submit complete and answer review comments.

05FootingsExcavated and poured to the engineered dimensions, with anchor placement set from the structural drawing.

Footing size follows the uplift calculation, not habit. On an attached structure the anchors have to land where the drawing says relative to the house connection, which is why they are set out rather than eyeballed.

06Frame erectionPosts, beams and rafters installed to the engineered connection details.

Each connection is made with the specified NOA-rated hardware. Posts are plumbed and the frame squared before any roof system goes on, because a louvre assembly will not close correctly on a frame that is out.

07Roof or louvre systemOpen lattice, fixed louvre or panel, or a motorised louvre assembly.

Each option changes the structural load and the permit scope. An open lattice carries the least load; a solid or louvred roof blocks rain but adds real roof-level wind load the engineering has to account for.

08Electrical integrationRough-in for fans, lighting and motorised louvre controls where specified.

Anything powered brings the electrical trade and its own inspection into the permit. Running it during frame erection rather than afterwards avoids surface-mounted conduit on a finished structure.

09Inspection and closeoutStructural and electrical inspections called, attended and closed out.

One contractor calls the inspections and owns any correction, so there is no gap between the engineer’s drawing, the installer’s work and the inspector’s sign-off.

Selected WorkSection 04 of 15

Pergolas we have built.

Genuine Elbaz installations · several different South Florida properties

Modern flat-roof pergola beside a pool on a canal-front South Florida property
01Poolside pergola on a canal-front lot
Dark-framed pergola over a travertine deck with a built-in outdoor kitchen and dining seating
02Pergola over travertine with a built-in outdoor kitchen
Pergola sheltering a bar-height counter and stools on a waterfront terrace
03Waterfront pergola sheltering bar-height seating
Wide view of a pergola and pool deck with dark aluminium posts and a slatted roof
04Pergola and pool deck, wide view
What VariesSection 05 of 15

The decisions that shape a pergola.

Freestanding or attached

An attached pergola borrows the house for one edge, which usually means fewer posts and a cleaner line off the rear elevation — but it transfers load into the existing structure, so the wall or tie beam has to be assessed and the connection engineered. A freestanding structure carries everything itself and can sit anywhere the setbacks allow, which is why it is often the answer over a pool deck or at the far end of a garden.

Framing material

Extruded aluminium is the default here, and not only for looks: it does not feed termites, does not corrode in salt-humid coastal air, and needs little more than an occasional rinse. Wood needs restaining every couple of years and typically a rebuild within ten to fifteen. Steel appears on very large clear-span structures where aluminium reaches its limit, but it needs a corrosion-resistant coating system to survive the same salt air.

Roof system

Open lattice is the traditional form — defined shade, dappled light, and rain straight through. A fixed louvre or solid panel blocks rain entirely and adds roof-level wind load the engineering must carry. A motorised louvre roof rotates closed in rain and open for sun or airflow, which makes the space usable across far more of the year at a meaningfully higher price and with moving parts to maintain.

Finish and integration

Most of the character comes from the ceiling plane and how the structure meets the deck. Timber-look aluminium slats give warmth without wood’s maintenance; recessed downlights and fans get roughed in during erection; and the post positions are usually set by the paver or travertine layout below, so the structure reads as part of the terrace rather than parked on it.

Freestanding pergola with white posts set on a paver pad in a fenced lawn
05Freestanding pergola on a paver pad
Structures shownSeveral different completed Elbaz installations
FramingExtruded aluminium, powder-coated and timber-look finishes
Roof systemsOpen, slatted and solid-panel covers
SettingsCanal-front, poolside, paver and travertine terraces
IntegrationRecessed lighting, ceiling fans, outdoor kitchens
RegionMiami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach
ImageryGenuine Elbaz Construction project photography
Presented asA curated collection of our work, not a single project
StandardsSection 06 of 15

A pergola either survives a storm season or it becomes debris. That is an engineering question, not a styling one.

Six things we hold to on every pergola we permit and build.

01Durability

Engineered for the address, not the catalogue

Design wind speed depends on your site and exposure category. We build to the figure the engineer calculates for your property rather than a generic manufacturer rating.

02Design

The structure follows the terrace

Post positions are set against the existing paver or travertine layout and the sightlines from inside the house, so the pergola reads as part of the outdoor space rather than an addition to it.

03Function

Choose the roof for how you will use it

Open lattice for dappled shade, fixed louvre or panel to keep rain off, motorised louvres to change your mind by season. Each carries a different load, cost and maintenance profile.

04Planning

Engineering before excavation

Signed and sealed drawings, NOA documentation and the permit are complete before a footing is dug, which is what keeps a build from stalling mid-frame.

05Craftsmanship

Plumb posts, square frame, closed louvres

A louvre assembly is unforgiving: it only closes cleanly on a frame that was squared before the roof went on.

06Quality control

Our licence on the permit

We call the structural and electrical inspections, attend them, and own any correction.

South Florida adds three constraints a pergola cannot design around: HVHZ wind load dictates the structure and its hardware, salt-humid air dictates the framing material and fasteners, and the summer rain pattern usually decides whether an open roof is genuinely worth having.

Underside of a pergola roof finished with warm timber-look slats and recessed downlights
06Timber-look slatted soffit with recessed lighting
Design & DetailSection 07 of 15

Structure, finish and placement.

The same service produces very different structures depending on framing material, roof system and where the pergola sits. These frames show that range across several completed installations.

Attached covered terrace with timber-look soffit over an outdoor dining setting beside a pool
07

Attached covered terrace beside a pool

Pergola structure part-built, showing white structural posts and a timber-clad privacy wall before finishing
08

Structure part-built, before the roof system and finishes

Pergola post set on its concrete footing with the surrounding ground still open
09

Post set on its concrete footing, ground still open

Cantilevered pergola roof over a terrace at a contemporary canal-front house
10

Cantilevered roof over a canal-front terrace

Timber-lined pergola ceiling with a ceiling fan above a built-in grill and counter
11

Timber-lined ceiling above a built-in grill

Wide view of a pergola shading a lounge area beside a pool with tropical planting
12Pergola shading a poolside lounge
Range shownAttached and freestanding, open and solid-roofed
Deck materialsTravertine, pavers and poured concrete
Common detailTimber-look slatted soffits with recessed lighting
PlacementPoolside, canal-front and garden terraces
NoteThese frames are from several different installations, not one property
MaterialsSection 08 of 15

What the specification decides.

The line items where the choice changes the structure you live with.

Extruded aluminium framing
Mill, powder-coated or timber-look finish
The default framing material here. It does not feed termites, does not corrode in coastal air, and needs little maintenance beyond rinsing.Timber-look finishes give warmth without wood’s upkeep.
Wood framing
Pressure-treated or cedar
Lower upfront cost and a genuine timber look, but it needs restaining every couple of years and typically a rebuild within ten to fifteen in this climate.Budget for the maintenance, not just the build.
Steel framing
Coated structural steel
Used where a clear span exceeds what aluminium can carry. Requires a corrosion-resistant coating system to survive salt air.Specify the coating system, not just the steel.
Roof system
Open lattice, fixed louvre or panel, motorised louvre
Open lattice carries the least load and lets rain through. Fixed and motorised systems block rain and add roof-level wind load the engineering must carry.Motorised systems add electrical scope and moving parts.
Structural connectors
NOA-rated fasteners, base plates and brackets
Hardware carrying Miami-Dade product approval, matched to the connections shown on the engineered drawings.Check approval numbers are current at submission.
Footings and electrical
Engineered concrete footings; rough-in for fans, lighting and controls
Footings are sized to the uplift calculation. Anything powered brings its own inspection into the permit.Run electrical during erection, not after.

Provenance note: the photographs on this page are genuine Elbaz Construction project photography from several different completed pergola and covered-terrace installations, presented as a collection of our work rather than as a single project. The build-sequence drawings in section 11 are illustrative diagrams we produced, not photographs.

ProcessSection 09 of 15

Nine stages, one contractor.

01

Consultation

What the space is for, how much shade you actually want, and whether a roof that sheds rain matters.

02

Site review

Setbacks, easements, existing slab, drainage, pool barrier and the house connection if the structure attaches.

03

Design

Size, post positions, roof system and finish, set against the existing terrace layout and sightlines.

04

Scope development

A written scope covering structure, roof system, electrical and deck work, before anything is ordered.

05

Engineering

Uplift, lateral and shear calculated at every connection; hardware specified; drawings signed and sealed.

06

Permitting

Submission to the local building department with NOA documentation, and review comments answered.

07

Footings

Excavated, poured and cured to the engineered dimensions with anchors set from the drawing.

08

Frame and roof

Posts, beams and rafters erected to the connection details, then the roof or louvre system and any electrical.

09

Inspection

Structural and electrical inspections called, attended and closed out.

PlanningSection 10 of 15

The approval path, in order.

Survey and setbacks
A current survey establishes property lines, easements and how close the structure can sit to them. Corner lots and waterfront parcels often carry additional restrictions.
Structural engineering
An engineer of record calculates uplift, lateral and shear at every connection for this structure on this site, and signs and seals the drawings.
Exposure category
Design wind speed depends on the site’s exposure, which is why an identical pergola can require different framing at two addresses a mile apart.
Product approval
Notice of Acceptance numbers for connectors, fasteners and any proprietary framing or louvre system are assembled with the submission.
HOA and architectural review
Where a community requires it, elevations and finishes go to the association in parallel with the municipal submission rather than after it.
Municipal submission
Structural drawings, product approvals and, where relevant, electrical are submitted to the local building department for permit.
Review comments
Plan review comments are answered and resubmitted. This is normal and is the most common reason a start date moves.
Inspections
Footing, structural and electrical inspections are each called and attended at the right stage of the build.
Closeout
Final inspection signed off and the permit closed, with engineering and product approval documentation handed over.

Requirements, review times and fees differ across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach and can change. Nothing here is a guaranteed approval timeline — no contractor controls a plan reviewer’s queue. We will tell you what your jurisdiction requires and keep the submission moving.

Build SequenceSection 11 of 15

How a pergola actually goes up.

Drawings, not photographs — an illustrative sequence of the stages a permitted South Florida pergola passes through, from footing to final inspection.

01

Footings poured

Holes excavated and concrete footings poured, sized to the engineered uplift and lateral loads for this specific structure.

02

Posts plumbed

Posts set on their anchors and plumbed, each base plate bolted through to the footing with NOA-rated hardware.

03

Beams bolted

Perimeter beams landed and bolted post-to-beam to the engineered connection detail, squaring the frame.

04

Louvres fitted

Rafters, fixed louvres or a motorised louvre assembly installed, with electrical roughed in where specified.

05

Signed off

Final structural and electrical inspection, then handover.

DecisionsSection 12 of 15

What moves the number, and what moves the date.

We do not publish pergola prices, because footprint, roof system and site access move the total independently. These are the drivers, so you can see where your project sits before anyone quotes you.

What moves the number

Freestanding or attached
Attached structures need the existing house assessed and the connection engineered; freestanding structures carry more posts and footings.
Footprint and roof area
A larger roof plane collects more wind load, which drives heavier framing and larger footings.
Roof system
Open lattice costs least. Fixed louvre or solid panel sits above it. Motorised louvre systems cost the most.
Framing material
Aluminium costs more upfront than wood and avoids wood’s maintenance and shorter life in this climate.
Electrical integration
Lighting, fans and motorised controls add wiring, fixtures and inspection scope.
Engineering and permitting
HVHZ wind-load engineering and NOA documentation add cost beyond a simple structure permit.
Site access and deck work
Narrow side access, existing paving to cut or restore, and drainage changes all add labour.
Change after permit
Moving a post or changing the roof system after drawings are sealed means re-engineering and often resubmission.

What moves the date

Engineering
Turnaround on signed and sealed drawings for your specific site.
Permit review
Jurisdiction queue and how cleanly the submission is drawn.
HOA review
Runs in parallel where required, on the association’s own schedule.
Material lead time
Powder-coated and motorised louvre systems are made to order.
Footing cure
Concrete needs time before the frame can be loaded.
Inspections
Sequential, and each has to pass before the next stage.

Bring to the first call

  • Where you want it, and what you want to use it for.
  • Whether it should keep rain off or just provide shade.
  • Whether it attaches to the house or stands on its own.
  • A current survey if you have one.
  • Whether an HOA or architectural committee has to approve it.
  • Whether you want lighting, fans or motorised louvres.
CompletionSection 13 of 15

What a finished pergola looks like.

The end of the job: frame erected to the engineered details, roof system on, lighting and fans running, inspections closed. These are genuine Elbaz installations across several South Florida properties.

  • A site visit that covers setbacks, drainage and the house connection.
  • A written scope before anything is engineered or ordered.
  • A realistic view of permit review, not a promised approval date.
  • One contractor accountable from footing to final inspection.
Contemporary house elevation with a pergola-covered terrace and timber soffit above a pool deck
13Completed pergola-covered terrace

Questions, answered.

Engineering, permits, materials, roof systems, maintenance and cost drivers.

Does a pergola really need engineering in Miami-Dade?

Yes. Inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone a pergola needs signed and sealed structural engineering calculating uplift, lateral and shear at every post, beam and rafter connection, built to the design wind speed for your specific site and exposure category — which can reach 175 mph or more.

Do I need a permit for a pergola?

In Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, a permanent pergola on footings is a permitted structure. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, and adding electrical or attaching to the house expands the scope. We confirm what your address requires before design is fixed.

Aluminium or wood?

Aluminium, in almost every case here. It does not feed termites, does not corrode in salt air, and needs little more than rinsing. Wood costs less upfront but needs restaining every couple of years and typically a rebuild within ten to fifteen. Timber-look aluminium finishes give the warmth without the upkeep.

What is a motorised louvred pergola, and is it worth it?

The louvres rotate: closed to shed rain, open for sun and airflow. It makes the space usable across far more of the year. It also adds electrical scope, moving parts and a meaningfully higher price, so it is worth it if you would otherwise stop using the space for half the summer.

Can a pergola attach to my house?

Often, yes — but it transfers load into the wall or tie beam, so the existing structure has to be assessed and the connection engineered. Where the house cannot take it, a freestanding structure set just off the elevation achieves the same thing.

Will it survive a hurricane?

A properly engineered, correctly installed pergola is designed to the same wind standard as other permitted structures on your property. The risk sits with unpermitted structures and generic kit hardware that was never tested to the standard being claimed.

What is an NOA and why does it matter?

A Notice of Acceptance is Miami-Dade product approval — evidence a connector, fastener or complete framing system was actually tested to the wind-load standard. It is how the county confirms the hardware in the ground matches the engineering on the drawings.

How close to my property line can it go?

That is set by your zoning district’s setbacks and any easements on the parcel, which is why a current survey comes before design. Corner lots and waterfront parcels frequently carry extra restrictions.

Can it go over my pool deck?

Yes, and it is a common request. Pool barrier requirements and the existing deck construction both factor into where posts can land, so those get walked during the site review.

What maintenance does it need?

Powder-coated aluminium needs rinsing and an occasional check of fasteners. Motorised louvre systems need their moving parts and controls checked periodically. Wood needs restaining on a cycle.

Why Elbaz.

Licensed general contractor

Certified building contractor, licence CBC1265280, bonded and insured. The licence on the permit is ours.

Engineering coordination

We work with the engineer of record on connection details and hardware rather than handing you a drawing set to interpret.

Product approval documentation

NOA numbers assembled and current at submission, which is a common cause of avoidable review comments.

Local experience

Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach — 104 municipalities, each with its own review process.

One point of contact

Engineer, building department, installers and electrician coordinated by us.

Quality control

Every inspection called and attended, with corrections owned rather than passed along.

Communication

You are told what is happening and what is next, including when the answer is that a plan reviewer has not come back yet.

Financing

Financing options available through our partners.

Proof & ReadingSection 14 of 15

What South Florida homeowners say.

Reproduced verbatim from our Google Business Profile. Nothing here has been edited, merged or rewritten.

Redid my whole bathroom and kitchen. Great service - Great quality - very quick - very professional !! Highly recommended!

Adir DavidovGoogle review

They are amazing! Very professional. Met my exact requests with so much patience and knowledge. They renovated my whole house and the whole process was such a breeze. I highly recommend them!

Lee MoraliGoogle review

We hired them to renovate our investment property and they provided exceptional quality service for an affordable price!

Shir PartushGoogle review

Amazing experience with the entire company! They did a great job in my house for some work that needed to be completed, and I am extremely happy with the result. Super professional & great service. I highly recommend Elbaz Construction.

Mia ZafraniGoogle review

After I've been Looking for a good company to renovate my house , I found those guys! These people are super professional super honest super Fast !! Don't hesitate to Rent their service! They are number one!!

carmit cohenGoogle review

I highly recommend them for home improvement. They renovated my master bathroom and a few upgrades for other guest bathrooms. They are very professional, courteous and transparent. They are great at communicating and finding ways to streamline the work. Sean has impeccable project management and customer relationship management skills. Very pleased with the work!

Omri BGoogle review

Further reading.

ServiceOutdoor Kitchen & Living SpaceBuilt-in grills, counters and seating under cover.ServicePaver Patio InstallationThe deck the structure usually sits on.ServicePool Deck PaversSurfaces and drainage around the pool.CategoryExterior RemodelingThe full exterior and outdoor living scope.PlanningStructural Engineering CoordinationHow signed and sealed drawings get produced and used.PlanningResidential Permit ExpeditingGetting a complete submission through review.PlanningComposite DeckingWhat sits underfoot beneath a pergola.

Project files

Black frames, white frames, open roofs.

Two sets of finished pergolas and patio covers from several Elbaz jobs: long black aluminum covers along stucco homes, and white pergolas over paver patios.

2Projects shown
10Photos
PROJECT 01

Collection: long black aluminum patio covers

Photos from several Elbaz jobs, not one house. Long black aluminum covers run along stucco homes, with ceiling fans and dark columns, over concrete slabs. One looks along a house with a lake beyond, and one has a stamped slab. The side views show where the cover meets the wall.

Scope of work

  • Aluminum cover built along the house wall
  • Dark columns set on the slab edge
  • Ceiling fans mounted under the roof
  • Slab laid or stamped under the cover
  • Cover edge aligned with the stucco wall
  • Lawn and soil finished around the footings

Materials & finishes

Black aluminum frameWhite roof panelsCeiling fansConcrete slabStucco wall

What to look for in the photos

Look along the roof line in the long views. The beam stays straight over the whole run, and the fans hang evenly. That comes from setting the footings and posts accurately before the roof goes on.

Collection: photos from several Elbaz Construction jobs · 3 photos

PROJECT 02

White pergola over a paver patio

A white aluminum pergola with a slatted roof stands over gray patterned pavers beside a stucco wall and a slider. Lounge chairs and an orange tree sit in the yard. A separate view shows two wicker chairs on the paver patio with a wood fence and palms.

Scope of work

  • White pergola built on the paver patio
  • Slatted roof set across the rafters
  • Porch columns beside the sliding door
  • Paver patio laid with a patterned field
  • Grass yard and fence beside the patio
  • Orange tree kept clear of the structure

Materials & finishes

White aluminum pergolaSlatted roofGray patterned paversStucco wallPorch columnsWood fence

What to look for in the photos

Look at the roof slats and the shadow they cast on the pavers. The spacing decides how much shade the patio gets at midday.

Elbaz Construction project photo · 3 photos

Budget and schedule

Where a pergola budget goes.

Typical shares and a typical order of work. Engineering and fabrication lead times set most of the calendar.

Where a typical pergola budget goes

100%OF BUDGET
  • Aluminum frame and roof38%
  • Footings and slab work14%
  • Fans, lights and wiring10%
  • Engineering and permit8%
  • Labor24%
  • Finish and cleanup6%

These are typical shares; span, finish and the floor beneath move them.

A typical pergola, week by week

Design & selections
Engineering and permit
Permit
Fabrication and delivery
Order
Footings
Frame and roof
Inspection and handover
Week 0Week 7Week 14

Engineering, permit review and fabrication set the pace.

Drawn out

The pergola, in three drawings.

Drawings of the structure and the ground that hold a pergola up and shed water away from it.

LOUVERS / RAFTERSBEAMENGINEERED FOOTINGS + ANCHORS

Footings to roof

Footings, posts, a beam and rafters or louvers make the structure. The drawing shows how wind and weight reach the ground.

HOUSESLOPE AWAY 2%PATIO / DRIVEWAY GRADE

Water leaving the pergola

Rain shed by the roof needs somewhere to go. The drawing shows the grade that carries it away from the posts and the house.

PAVER SECTIONPavers (sand-swept joints)1 in bedding sand4–6 in compacted baseGeotextileCompacted subgrade

The patio underfoot

A compacted base, sand bedding and pavers form the floor under the pergola. The drawing shows how the posts and paving meet.

Scope planner

Scope your pergola in four answers.

Choose the closest option to see the trades involved and a rough range of weeks on site.

Attached or freestanding?
What roof do you want?
What is the floor?
Fans and lights?

Finishes

Fans, frames and rafters.

Four details: fans over a stamped slab, a black frame with white roof panels, a long cover beside a lake, and a view up through white rafters.

Fans on a stamped slab
Black frame, white roof panels
Long cover, lake beyond
Looking up through the rafters

More questions

Pergola details people ask later.

Questions that come up after the drawings are drawn.

Ask us directly
Can the posts bolt to my existing slab?

Sometimes. The slab must be thick and strong enough to hold the uplift and sideways forces that a roof sees in wind, and the engineer decides. If it cannot, we cut out the slab and pour footings for the posts. We check the slab at the site visit before promising anything.

How much shade does a slatted roof really give?

It depends on the gap, the depth of the slats and the sun angle. Closely spaced slats shade most of the day, while wide gaps give a dappled effect. Look at the shadow stripes on the pavers at midday to judge. We can mock up the spacing on paper using your orientation.

Who wires fans and lights on a pergola?

A licensed electrician does, because the wiring runs through the posts and beams and is inspected. Fans need to be rated for damp or wet locations and fixed to a proper support. We plan the conduit path before the frame goes up, so nothing is drilled through finished aluminum afterwards.

How long does it take for pergola parts to arrive?

Lead time depends on the supplier and the season. Custom extrusions, colors and louver systems often take weeks, and engineering drawings must be approved before fabrication starts. We confirm the delivery estimate once the permit is approved, and we avoid ordering until the design is final.

Can plants and vines grow on a pergola?

They can, but they add weight and wind load, and they hold moisture against the surface. Light climbers on a trellis are fine, but heavy vines can overload thin rafters. Tell us if you plan to plant, so the structure is sized for it. Keep vines trimmed before hurricane season.

What should I do to a pergola before a storm?

Close any louvers and lock them, if they are operable. Remove furniture, cushions, umbrellas and anything that could blow loose, and take down fabric shades. After the storm, check the posts, fasteners and roof panels before using the space. Engineered structures are designed for wind, but loose items still become projectiles.

How high should the pergola posts be?

High enough to feel open and to clear fans, with enough height for you to walk under the beam without ducking. Taller posts raise the roof structure, though, and add wind load, so the engineer must approve the height. Setbacks and height limits also vary by city. We choose a height that suits the house.

Why does a pergola rattle or hum in wind?

Usually a loose fastener or an unsupported panel. Louvers and slat covers can vibrate if clips are worn or the frame was installed out of square. A good installation uses locking fasteners and checks alignment. If a noise appears, tell us early, because tightening a connection is easy and a missed one grows.

Service Areas

Proudly serving homeowners across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

(754) 236-0675

104 municipalities across three counties — and we hold the licence to build in all of them. Not sure about your address? Ask us.

Next StepSection 15 of 15

Tell us about the space.

The useful first conversation is about the terrace, not the catalogue. Where it sits, how the sun tracks across it, whether rain matters, and what the setbacks allow.

Request A Consultation

What happens next

01   You send the details
The form below, or a call to 754-236-0675.
02   We come back to you
With next steps specific to your property.
03   We walk the site
Setbacks, drainage, deck condition and the house connection.
04   You get a written scope
Structure, roof system and electrical, itemised, before anything is engineered.

Licensed, bonded and insured — certified building contractor CBC1265280. Serving Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

Preferred contact method

We use your details only to respond to this enquiry. No lists, no resale.

Thanks — that came through.

We have your details and a member of the team will be in touch. If it is urgent, call 754-236-0675.