No wonder this is a best seller. Well made. The posts are solid even though they have cedar panels on the outside and lots of 2x2s inside to make they solid. But you have to use your own judgement in using the manual to fit your own needs. I put up the basic frame first and keep making sure the 4 posts are perfectly straight before the next step. Also, DON'T screw in the 4 braces early, as they suggested in the manual, until the very last step. Because as you take a step to make one post straight, the other posts shift. As careful as I was to make sure I do the braces last, I still had to redo all posts! To lift up the entire structure to secure the post footing with concrete screws is unrealistic because by then the pergola is already too heavy. It is like a table already. Why would you fasten down an 600 lb dining table?

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I normally don’t write reviews but I just wanted to let other people know that this pergola went together great. It took about 4 hours for me and my brother to complete this pergola! Just buy it u will love it!!!!!!!

The kit was delivered to our driveway earlier that expected. We like the quality of the product and attention to detail. We hired someone to put it together and he was impressed with the thorough instructions and accuracy. One of the braces split when being installed. I called for a replacement and had it in a short time. Very helpful and friendly customer service. Our friends are impressed at the quality and price. So are we!

Appearance is nice. The pre cut wood does not align, the holes are not drilled all the way and the directions are about as useless as I’ve ever seen on any item that needs to put together. Some of the wood is already splintering. I’ve had it for a week and a half

We didn’t erect the pergola ourselves due to age and health issues, but our handyman Jake and his two teenage sons did.. they downloaded the app, and with enclosed instructions it went up in now time even on the hottest day in history in our town.. now it is ready for me to get out and get it ready for finishing touches. Thank you so much!

Just put up 4 days ago and received it's christening the next day with 2 days of on off heavy rains. Looks terrific. Only issue I had was with the sealer. Used the One Time and it took several days for it to sink in and dry and some places did not absorb. I had 2 guys put it together...took under 4 hours. Although in the home improvement biz for a very long time, this is the first time they put up a kit. They were quite impressed and plan to offer it to their other customers. Being white cedar from China, I'm curious to see how long it holds up to the coastal Carolina winds and sun.

I shopped a lot of pergola kits and feel this one was a very good value. Assembly took about 7 hours with myself and my wife. Using the Bilt app on a tablet is highly recommended, since it's much easier when you can zoom in and rotate to see how parts go together. No issues whatsoever with holes lining up. The one problem we faced was getting the two end assemblies upright and connected together with the side rails. It would have been far easier with three people - two to support the end assemblies while the third person installed the side rails on top. The instructions don't give any tips. We managed, but it wasn't pretty! I also question how, once fully assembled, it's possible with two people to mark where the plastic feet should sit, move the pergola to anchor the feet and then put the pergola back in place. The pergola weighs 400 pounds. Our patio is shaded from the prevailing winds by the house, so we'll take our chances and not anchor it.

The pergola is beautiful. The pergola arrived in four boxes. Nothing was damaged, no parts were missing. The setup instructions were easy to follow, Sine the pergola is made from cedar the individual parts are not overly heavy. My wife and I set this up in a day. We couldn’t be happier. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a pergola.

Don't usually do this but the directions are not great so thought this might help. Product came on a pallet in two boxes....all parts received and no damage noted. Two of the joists were warped but that can be corrected as indicated below. Most of this assembly can be done with one helper. Steps 1 + 2: Hold off on these until completing Steps 3 + 4. The angle braces get in the way when attaching the joists to the pergola posts. Wound up taking them off. Steps 3 + 4: This is where a third set of hands comes in handy. The 7 1/4 screws are barely long enough to get through the two joists and the post, hence the reason to remove the angle braces first (from Steps 1 + 2 above). Two of the joists have a series of holes in the top so make sure they are facing up and on the outside. Once you get the four posts attached to the joists (tough if you don't have that 3rd set of hands), you can easily install the 4 long and 4 short angle braces and secure them to the posts with the lag screws. Plumb everything square and lock it in at this point. Note: Our pergola is freestanding and over an above ground spa, so at this point, due to weight considerations, we moved it to its permanent location, completed Step 13, realigned, secured, and sent the 3rd set of hands (my wife) back into the house to avoid further conflict. Steps 5 through 8: Simple and straightforward...attaching the joist ends to the joists. One thing to note not in the instructions - four of the joist ends have holes in the top (D7s) so make sure to identify them. There are no markings on the parts. Step 9: Don't worry if any of the slotted joists are warped as you can correct that in Step 10. Just secure them as indicated. Step 10: Purlins have predrilled holes in them so just line up your first set and secure. Fit the long purlin angle end under the short purlin angle end to give a cleaner finish. Step 11 + 12: Final Steps on our install. Make sure to do a lot of measuring as not all the purlins are perfectly straight and you want the finished product to be. Additionally, this is where you are able to straighten any slotted joists that may have arrived warped by bending the joist straight (difficult) and securing in place to the purlin(s). Final notes: The hardware is not great but workable and extra is provided. You may find you need to widen some of the predrilled holes. Also had two holes predrilled on the wrong end of one of the angle braces but easily correctable. Finally, held off on water sealing due to overnight temperatures dropping below optimal, but will do so in the spring,. Bottom line...directions and hardware are the only drawbacks but neither insurmountable. Really sharp looking finished product and sets off the area we put it in nicely. Happy with the purchase. Good luck.

So glad we purchased this Pergola. Quality is great and overall Pergola is substantial in size. Husband and I assembled ourselves - easier than we thought using the BILT App (as suggested by Backyard Discovery). 14 X 10 Pergola really transformed our Backyard into an Oasis, we are really enjoying having it. We recommend this product without any hesitation.