Tools for building a garden pergola

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Pergolas are a fantastic way to bring elevation and vertical lines into any garden space. These elegant structures can be used to provide added shade as well as growing scented or fruiting vines.

They can be rustic, traditional or contemporary; in fact pergolas can literally fit into any garden design or theme. Most of the time people assume pergolas are simply too difficult build yourself. However in essence they are really simple to put together.
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With a little bit of time, preparation and the correct tools you can create your own perfect pergola in no time.

Hence we have created an informative list of the best tools to build a pergola. We have described the specific functionality of each tool in pergola construction so you can start your project today. 
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20 Tools for building a garden pergola

1. Spade

​Wherever in the garden you position your new pergola you will most typically need a spade. These primarily are utilised to start excavating the holes to secure vertical posts. Spades can also be effective at clearing vegetation from the new pergola area.  
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​Spade

2. ​Graft

​When excavating holes for your posts you want holes to be deep and narrow with consistent edges. Spades will only allow you dig so far into the soft top layer of topsoil. Posts for pergolas should be about 600mm or 2 feet deep. The best way to break up deeper, more compacted ground is with a graft. 
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​Graft

3. Post diggers

​When digging deeply for post holes, loose, excavated soil falls to the bottom of the hole. This is can be rather challenging to extract especially on thick, clay soils. The best tool to collect and lift out loose subsoil is post diggers. These scissor like spades can be thrust into the base of the pit and remove any loose spoil with ease. 
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​post diggers

4. Shovel

​Shovels are not thought of as typical pergola building tools but they always come in handy. Shovels can be utilised to shovel ballast when mixing concrete for post holes and keeping the site tidy. For general shovelling I find long handled shovels are easier on the lower back. 
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​Shovel

 5. Cement mixer

​Cement mixers are not essential tools for building pergolas but are great for concreting in vertical posts. If you are paving or concreting under your new pergola cement mixers can become an even greater asset.  
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​Cement mixer

6. Wheelbarrow

​It is easy to underestimate the utility wheelbarrows bring to any garden build project. Wheelbarrows enable you to wheel in heavy materials such as concrete and excavated soil. Wheelbarrows can also provide timber rests for light handsaw cutting. 
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​Wheelbarrow

7. Spirit level

​Spirit levels really are an essential tool for building pergolas. Levels allow you to accurately plumb vertical posts and level bracings and joist work. It is surprising just how noticeable unlevel timberwork is to the naked eye especially from a distance. For pergola work it is beneficial to have both small, boat levels and long levels to flush up joists.  
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​spirit level

8. Folding set square

One of the most important elements of building pergolas is setting out the project correctly. If posts are not square to each other bracings will not connect properly and joists will look skewed. Folding set squares are perfect for setting out right angles over larger distances. This makes them an important tool for building any garden pergola.  

​Folding set square

9. String line

​String lines are perfect for aligning timbers over distance and crucial for lining up multiple posts. This is particularly important for long pergolas and those which provide corridor framing to pathways. String lines can also be used to check if timbers are too bowed to be installed as joists. 
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​String line

10. Carpenters square

​The most fundamental equipment for building pergolas is carpentry tools. One of the most crucial of these is a carpenter’s square. These enable you to mark out and cut at perfect right angles so timbers can connect tightly. 
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​Carpenters squares

11. Carpenters pencil

​When working with timber there is a continuous need to mark out cutting lines. Pencils with their dark, grey, graphite are perfect for this but not just any pencils. These carpenters’ pencils are robust enough to withstand the rigours of the building site. They also have thick centres of graphite for bold marking and which reduce fractures. 
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​Carpenters pencil

12. Claw hammer 

​Claw hammers are the friend of any carpenter or wood working landscaper. When building a pergola these can be used to nail in supports and knock joists into position. Their curved heads make them easy to access from belts and joists as you work. 
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​Claw hammer

13. Chisel set

Some of the most elaborate pergolas have neat joisting and precise notching work. This requires a fair amount of skill but also the correct tools. A professional set of timber working chisels can neatly cut out perfect joins to notching work. 
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​Chisel set

14. Handsaw

​Handsaws are always a valuable commodity when carrying out any type of timber construction. These are perfect for general cutting and cuts which require bespoke attention. 
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​Handsaw

15. Circular saw

​Circular saws are effective power tools for multiple, precise cuts quickly. These can make short work of pergola joists and brace work. Many circular saws now come with laser guided cutting for perfect cuts every time. 
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​Circular saw

16. Jig saw

Jigsaws can be great for cutting intricate cuts or even decorate patterns into timberwork. For pergolas these are great for cutting curves to joist ends and routing out the centre of notches. 
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​Jig saw

17. Planer 

Planers are not always essential for pergola construction but are very useful to have to hand. This is especially the case if you need to shave the slightest thickness off a timber to fit tight joins together.  
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​Planer

18. Belt sander

Belt sanders are a fast and easy way to smooth down finishes to timber. They are very effective for rounding off edges to joists for a more quirky, forest, finish.  
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​Belt sander

19. Cordless drill

Cordless drills are perfect for fixing pergola elements together tightly. These provide light weight and nimble fixing even when balancing on top of structures. By having combi cordless drills to hand you can both drill and screw without leaving the ladder. 
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​Cordless drill

20. Power drill

Power drills are always good to have around when building a robust garden pergola. These provide that little extra power and thrust for thick timber and bolting work. They are also efficient at attaching timber frames to the facades of buildings. Power drills with hammer functions are perfect for drilling masonry holes for timber fixing. 
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​Power drill

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