I purchased this product from Samsclub.com on 5/13/2022 after seeing it in my local store. What the advertising DOES NOT MENTION are the facts that one must waterproof the product in order to maintain its warranty and it can only be mounted on a concrete patio or on concrete footers at one's own expense. Due to the pergola size and the number of individual wooden pieces, waterproofing this bulky and large product is a major task (or nightmare). If I had known that it wasn't waterproofed by the manufacturer, I would have never bought this product. It's only stained. Additionally, I have a paver patio that the company told me over the telephone that they didn't recommend mounting on pavers. I would have to install concrete footers bought at my local hardware store. The recommended BILT phone app that alleges to be simple, is merely an animated video that is totally unrealistic in most cases. For example, it shows the pergola moving around like a flying carpet when putting the posts into the base for permanent locational measurements and marking purposes. It took 3 adults to move this BEAST at best. 4 adults would have been better. The app states words to the effect, "With the assistance of another adult", blah, blah, blah. No way in heck unless the 2 adults are 6'5" or above and are power lifters. Another serious matter is the alignment of pilot holes, or in some cases, the lack thereof. Due to slight warping, purvin and joist holes don't even come close to alignment. More drilling and aligning that I didn't need. The last joke on me was that the installation instructions state that the product can be assembled in 7 hours. When working by oneself at times, it takes about 7 hours to install the joists alone... another 6-7 hours to align and secure the purvins on top. So, whoever rated this product as "Highly Rated", must be Sam's Club paid advertisers. So, after intermittent rain showers and other work stoppages, I completed this project on June 6, 2022. It looks nice, but so much for the 7-hour completion promotion, even with 2 people. Oh, and did I mention that the seller offers installation assistance for a fee? I was afraid to ask for the cost but I had to wonder if there was some sort of "planned difficulty" in the design build of this product in order to promote business with a partner to assist the customer with the installation? Maybe it was just a "supply chain" issue due to the pandemic... LOL

This is a very good value if it is stocked at your local SAM's. The two long, heavy boxes fit into my mini-van with the seats taken out. In Southern California, the climate is very sunny all year around, so I was concerned about the stain finish's long-term durability, even with a protective clear sealer applied, as is recommended. Clear sealers may waterproof the substrate, but will provide very little UV light protection. I wanted this to last for years with easy maintenance, so I painted all the pieces with three coats of high-grade house paint before assembling it. Three coats were required to completely cover the silver color with a pure white. Also, the kit comes with very spaced out wood strips across the top, so there is almost no shade provided with the standard kit. I was able to place two additional strips between each pair - so now it is like a patio cover with noticeable shade. With the added strips being painted too, three gallons of paint were needed in total.

My wife and I just began fixing our new backyard up. This Pergola has been a great addition and we can't wait to see it with plants and other furniture around. Wood seems solid and well put together. I sealed with a clear sealer so didn't lose color.

We love it. It arrived quickly and on time. The installers ( Lynn and Dave from T&T ) were friendly, funny, so cooperative and there quickly. They were done in under two hours and did a wonderful job. By the next day, we had our table and chairs and a little decor and we have been enjoying it daily.

Bought about a month ago and finally got around to assembling it; took two people five hours.Tip: We laid out all the pieces on the concrete porch and labeled them with blue tape and a sharpee. Some pieces were scratched- we touched up with Valspar exterior solid stain in the color classic mahagony. Then used a water based spar urethane in clear satin (varathane indoor/ outdoor) to seal the finish. P.S. After construction, we decided to add a pitched roof (metal) and attached to house- will add lights later.

We were looking to buy this pergola 2 years ago from Sams CLub when the price was $799.00....in 2022 the price rose to $999.00. Being a craftsman, i could have easily made a project out of this pergola, but in today's world, i'm sure if i would have bought the wood, screws, stain, etc myself...+ my time and supplies...that it would have equaled the cost! Overall, the unit went together easily - one person could do it with some sawhouses and supports, but erecting the unit was definitely a 2 person job. The instructions were clear and the pieces labelled inconspiciously. Overall, a very nice accent to out yard!

It is sturdy, comes with all the parts, does not have good assembly instruction, in fact, they are not useful at all. They give you a link to scan, you have to add an app to get it to work and it still is not much help. We went to Sam's and shot close up pictures and went from those. The wood is soft as cedar can be and there are several damaged areas from packing that we needed to touch up (paint stick or stain not included) The box wasn't damaged so it had to be during packing. Not all the holes line up so have a drill ready. They say it is a two person set up but that must be their guys with experience. The last steps are impossible for 2, even 4 people. After assembled you are supposed to lift it, put it in its mounting feet, draw around that, drill holes, set with screws and then lift it back in place. I believe the delivery guys said it weighed 900 lbs and it is at least that. IMPOSSIBLE for two people to lift. Ours isn't secure until; we can get a bunch of people to help. However, once assembled it is beautiful, sturdy and just like the pictures. It needs better instructions written and a video. I would buy another if we ever needed it now that we know how to assemble.

is awesome! I did have to replace a part and got someone on the line in 60-90 seconds! A real person. They had me send them my receipt to register me and withing an hour the part was shipped. I had it the next day. The instructions are good but I'd revise them. I seal the wood first thing. I used Thompsons Timber Oil in cedar. Next I'd anchor the feet down after step 4. Why wait until you have all of the extra weight on it? If your feet are directly on the concrete I'd opt for shorter concrete screws. Make sure everything is level plumb and square. I believe I could do another in less than 5 hours but I used a cordless screwdriver. I think this is a good value for the money and am happy with my purchase.

I bought this pergola which looks very nice, but the wood is heavily damaged after AIT WorldWide installation the company that installs these for Backyard Discovery. After several emails, I still have not resolution to who is going to fix the cap that fell off. Both companies are asking me to reach out to the other. A few pictures of the quality and installation attached.

We decided to redo our patio and this was the heart of our plan. It is absolutely perfect and so beautiful!