Build a Simple Pergola

A. Finished-Project Specification

Deliverable: one detached open-roof pergola frame with accepted footings and post bases, plumb and aligned posts, beams on approved bearing, rafters and purlins at the specified spacing, permanent bracing and uplift connectors installed, and a documented load and use restriction.

B. Assessed Framing Schedule (Component Schedule)

Component	Quantity	Format	Standard	Preparation / Purpose
Post and footing layout	1 set	Marked plan reference	Matches approved post grid and footing centers	Confirms post spacing against beam and rafter spans
Footings and post bases	Per plan	Inspected concrete and hardware	Accepted bearing, cure, and anchor position	Provides the foundation the entire frame depends on
Posts	Per plan	Set, plumb, temporarily braced	Plumb on two faces, correct top elevation	Carries beam loads to the footings
Beams	Per plan	Installed on approved bearing	Level, correctly connected, temporarily braced	Spans between posts and carries rafter loads
Rafters and purlins	Per plan	Cut, installed at approved spacing	Matches pattern, spacing, and overhang	Forms the open roof plane
Permanent bracing and uplift connectors	Per plan	Installed hardware	All connectors installed per manufacturer instructions	Provides lateral stiffness and wind-uplift resistance

C. Material and Resource Takeoff

• Structural lumber: posts, beams, rafters, and purlins in the species, grade, and treatment specified by the approved plan.
• Hardware: post bases, post caps or approved bearing detail, hurricane ties or other uplift connectors, knee-brace brackets, and through-bolts or lag screws as specified.
• Bracing stock: temporary diagonal bracing sufficient to hold every post and beam plumb and aligned through erection.
• Reference documents: the approved pergola plan, manufacturer instructions for every listed connector, and applicable wind and snow design criteria.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Footings and post bases	Inspected, accepted bearing and cure condition, anchor position confirmed before load
Posts	Plumb on two adjacent faces, correct spacing and top elevation, fastened with the specified connector
Beams	Installed on approved bearing, level or to approved slope, temporarily braced until permanent bracing is complete
Rafters and purlins	Cut to the approved pattern, installed at the specified spacing and overhang, fastened with listed connectors
Bracing and uplift	Permanent knee braces, diagonal bracing, and uplift connectors installed and inspected before temporary bracing is removed
Documentation	Structure, connector schedule, and load/use restrictions recorded for handoff

E. Preparation — Layout and Footing Confirmation

1. Review the approved pergola dimensions, height, post grid, footing design, beam and rafter sizes, spans, overhangs, purlins, bracing, wind, uplift, and permit requirements. Confirm the finalized dimensions match the plan before any material is cut.
2. Confirm the design is open-roof only. Verify it is not intended to support roofing, snow accumulation, swings, hammocks, vines beyond the stated allowance, solar panels, or other unapproved loads.
3. Lay out post and footing centers from the approved plan. Transfer dimensions from the Project 03 layout references.
4. Install and inspect footings and post bases, or confirm the Project 04 footings already installed have passed inspection. Do not proceed until bearing, cure, and anchor position are accepted.
5. Set, brace, plumb, and align posts. Follow the Project 05 procedure, holding plumb on two adjacent faces with temporary bracing in two directions.

F. Beam Installation Procedure

1. Mark beam bearing points and top elevations on each post. Transfer elevations using a string line, laser, or level referenced from a single fixed point.
2. Cut and treat posts and beams to the approved lengths. Apply field-cut preservative to every cut end and drilled hole in treated material.
3. Install beams on approved bearing, post caps, notches, or through-bolt details. Do not substitute a bearing method not shown on the approved plan.
4. Install required beam splices only over approved supports. A splice between supports is not an approved bearing condition unless the plan specifically details one.
5. Install temporary lateral bracing on every beam and post before proceeding to rafter work. Confirm the frame holds plumb and level under light hand pressure before continuing.

G. Rafter and Purlin Installation Procedure

1. Lay out rafter positions on the beams from the approved spacing and reference point. Mark every rafter location before cutting begins.
2. Cut the first rafter using an approved template or pattern. Test-fit it in place before cutting the remaining rafters.
3. Cut remaining rafters to the approved pattern. Treat every field cut in pressure-treated material.
4. Install rafters with listed ties, screws, bolts, or joinery as specified by the plan. Maintain the approved spacing, overhang, and alignment across the full frame.
5. Install purlins or shade slats at the approved spacing and attachment. Maintain consistent spacing and alignment across the full roof plane.

H. Permanent Bracing, Uplift, and Closeout Procedure

1. Install knee braces, diagonal bracing, tension devices, and uplift connectors per the approved plan. Follow manufacturer instructions for every listed connector.
2. Do not remove temporary bracing until permanent bracing is complete and inspected. Confirm every permanent connection is installed before releasing any temporary support.
3. Treat field cuts and install caps where specified. Seal every exposed cut in treated lumber before final inspection.
4. Inspect post plumb, beam level, rafter spacing, purlins, connectors, uplift path, lateral stiffness, clearance, and sharp edges. Correct any deficiency before proceeding to the stability check.
5. Perform the approved controlled stability check. Apply the specified lateral load, deflection check, or firm hand-check to the completed frame and confirm no unexpected movement.
6. Document the structure and its load restrictions. Record beam and rafter sizes, connector schedule, bracing installed, and the stated open-roof, no-snow, no-hanging-load restriction for the completed structure.