Hear From Our Clients
You know the problem. Your patio sits empty from May through September because the sun makes it unbearable. Or you’ve got a deck that’s only comfortable for about six weeks in spring before Houston heat takes over.
A well-designed pergola changes that. You get adjustable shade when the sun’s beating down, protection when those afternoon storms roll through, and a defined outdoor living area that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Louvered systems let you control airflow and coverage with a button. Attached pergolas extend your home’s footprint without the cost of a full addition. And if you’re working with clay soil and unpredictable weather like we have around Highlands, the structure needs to be engineered for it—not just assembled from a kit.
This isn’t about making your yard look nice for the neighbors. It’s about getting ROI on space you’re already paying to maintain. Outdoor living upgrades are among the top home improvements in the Houston area right now, and buyers notice when a property has functional outdoor space that actually works in Texas.
We’ve been building outdoor living spaces since the 1970s. We’re not a startup trying to figure out Gulf Coast construction on your dime. We’re licensed, insured, and we know what holds up in this climate.
Our team handles everything—design, permitting, installation. We work with homeowners in Highlands and across the Houston area who want a pergola that’s built right the first time. That means engineering for wind loads, understanding local codes, and using materials that won’t rot, warp, or need constant maintenance.
You’ll get a free in-home consultation where we walk your property, talk through what you’re trying to accomplish, and give you a detailed estimate with no surprises. If you move forward, we handle the rest. You’re not managing subcontractors or chasing down inspections—we do that.
We start with a free consultation at your home. You show us the space, we talk through what you want—more shade, weather protection, a spot for outdoor furniture that won’t get soaked every time it rains. We take measurements, discuss design options like louvered vs. fixed roofs, attached vs. freestanding structures, and material choices that fit your budget and maintenance preferences.
Once you approve the design, we handle permitting and HOA requirements if applicable. Then we schedule installation. Our crews show up on time, do the work, and clean up when they’re done. Depending on the size and complexity, most pergola installations wrap up in a few days.
After installation, you get a walkthrough to make sure everything’s right. If you’ve gone with a motorized louvered system, we’ll show you how the controls work. And if anything needs adjustment, we handle it before we call the job complete. You also get warranty coverage that actually means something—not fine print designed to avoid responsibility.
Ready to get started?
Every pergola we build in Highlands is designed specifically for this area. That means accounting for Gulf Coast humidity, clay soil movement, and wind loads that meet Texas Department of Insurance coastal requirements. We’re not using the same specs you’d see in Arizona or California—this is engineered for here.
You’ll get options for louvered roofs that adjust to weather conditions, integrated lighting and fans for year-round comfort, and materials that stand up to sun and storms without constant upkeep. Aluminum pergolas won’t rot or attract termites like wood. Modern pergola designs can include Bluetooth speakers, solar panels, and app-controlled features if that’s your thing.
We also handle the details most homeowners don’t think about until it’s too late—proper drainage so water doesn’t pool, electrical work if you’re adding lights or outlets, and structural anchoring that won’t shift when the ground moves. Highlands sits on soil that expands and contracts, and your pergola needs to be built with that in mind. You’re also working with a team that knows local codes and HOA requirements, so you’re not dealing with permit headaches or compliance issues down the road.
It depends on size, materials, and features. A basic aluminum pergola starts around $38 per square foot. Louvered systems with motorized controls run between $100 and $150 per square foot. Attached pergolas that tie into your home’s structure cost more than freestanding designs because of the additional engineering and integration work.
Wood pergolas might seem cheaper upfront, but you’re looking at ongoing maintenance—staining, sealing, replacing boards that rot or warp. Aluminum and powder-coated steel cost more initially but require almost no upkeep. If you’re adding electrical for lights and fans, or plumbing for an outdoor kitchen, that affects the total too.
We give you a detailed estimate during the consultation so you know exactly what you’re paying for. No vague ranges or surprise costs when the job’s halfway done. And if budget’s a concern, we offer financing up to $125,000 with competitive rates so you’re not waiting years to make this happen.
A standard pergola has a fixed roof—either open slats that let some light through or a solid cover that blocks sun and rain completely. You get what you get, and it doesn’t change based on weather or time of day.
Louvered pergolas have adjustable slats you can open or close. Want full sun? Open them. Need shade? Close them partway. Rain coming? Shut them completely and you’ve got a watertight roof. Most systems are motorized, so you’re controlling it from your phone or a wall switch—not climbing up there to manually adjust anything.
The flexibility matters in Highlands because weather changes fast. You might want shade at noon and airflow by evening. Or you’re hosting people and want to adjust coverage as the day goes on. Louvered systems also last longer because water drains off instead of pooling, and you’re not dealing with debris buildup like you would with a fixed slatted roof.
Most installations finish in three to five days, depending on size and complexity. A simple freestanding pergola in your backyard goes faster than an attached structure that ties into your home’s roofline and requires electrical work.
Weather can delay things—we’re not pouring footings in a downpour or working in unsafe wind conditions. Permitting adds time on the front end, usually a week or two depending on how backed up the city is. If you’ve got an HOA, their approval process can take longer, and that’s out of our hands.
Once we start, though, we’re there until it’s done. You’re not waiting weeks between phases or wondering when the crew’s coming back. We schedule the job, show up, and finish it. And if something comes up—a delivery delay, an unexpected site condition—we let you know immediately, not three days later.
Outdoor living upgrades are one of the top improvements Houston-area buyers look for right now, and a well-built pergola typically returns 70% to 80% of its cost when you sell. Sometimes more if it’s part of a complete outdoor living setup with a kitchen, seating area, and good landscaping.
But the real value is in making your property more functional while you’re living there. You’re not adding square footage to your home, but you’re creating usable space that works year-round. That matters in a market where buyers want move-in-ready homes with features they can enjoy immediately.
A cheap pergola that’s already showing wear won’t help you. But a custom design that fits your home’s style, uses quality materials, and includes features like lighting and weather protection makes your property stand out. Buyers notice when outdoor space is thoughtfully designed, and they’ll pay more for it than a house with a plain concrete patio and no shade.
If you go with aluminum or powder-coated steel, almost none. Rinse it off once or twice a year to clear pollen and dirt. Check that motorized components are working if you’ve got a louvered system. That’s about it.
Wood pergolas are a different story. You’re staining or sealing every couple of years to prevent rot and UV damage. You’re replacing boards that warp or crack. You’re dealing with termites and carpenter bees. And in Houston’s humidity, wood doesn’t last as long as it would in a drier climate—moisture gets in, and decay happens faster.
If you’ve added electrical components like fans or lights, those need occasional bulb replacements or motor servicing, same as anything else in your home. But the structure itself shouldn’t require ongoing work if it’s built with the right materials. That’s why most homeowners around Highlands go with aluminum or steel—it holds up without the constant upkeep wood demands.
Yes, as long as the existing structure can support the load. We’ll assess your patio or deck during the consultation to make sure it’s stable and built to code. If it’s not, we’ll tell you what needs reinforcement before we add a pergola on top of it.
Attached pergolas that connect to your home’s exterior require proper flashing and waterproofing so you’re not creating leak points where the pergola meets your roofline or siding. We handle that as part of the installation—it’s not an optional add-on.
If your patio’s in good shape, adding a pergola is one of the most cost-effective ways to upgrade your outdoor space. You’re not tearing anything out or starting from scratch. You’re building on what’s already there and making it more functional. And if you want to go further—add an outdoor kitchen, install ceiling fans, run electrical for lighting—we can do that at the same time so you’re not paying for multiple projects.
Local Resources
Useful Links
Other Services we provide in Highlands
