I'm a novice at this sort of stuff and really appreciate any advice you can give.....
Attached is picture of a wooden pergola on patio that needs to be replaced. The beams along the top have rotted, have been taken down and so something needs to be done about the rest of the thing. A wisteria tree was once growing along the top of it but has now been pruned way back. I bought the house with it in this condition so have no knowledge of what/how/when it was installed. See picture.
I've been getting quotes for wooden replacements and the costs are all way higher than I can budget. So I want to cut costs and I just don't know what to do. Suggestions welcome.
The large cost seems to be split in two. The actual pergola itself, and the installation of it. Regarding the installation, apparently the patio slab stones where the existing uprights go into the ground would need to be lifted. And the new pergola would be concreted into the ground and slab stones put back in place. I've included a close up picture of where the upright beams are in the patio slab stone. The beams (90mm x 90mm) seem to be worn and no sign of rot (to my novice eyes anyway). Would it be possible to get some sort of pergola made that would simply join the existing one? Not sure how or even if its practical, but if I could remove the cost of installation (or simplify) it would be great. Has anyone ever seen beams in the patio like the way mine are? Does the whole slab really have to be lifted to replace them?
The pergola I'm thinking of getting made would be of a hardwood. And I'll get a joiner/carpenter to do this.
All comments welcome please.
Thanks
D
(Ps. if there's another forum worth asking in let me know please)