Gazebo Construction
Handis gazebo construction puts a standalone roofed structure in a Seattle backyard as a destination point in the yard — hexagonal, octagonal, or rectangular plan in Western Red Cedar, cedar-kit assembly on the smaller standard sizes or custom-built rectangular framing on the larger plans, roofed in cedar shake, standing-seam metal, corrugated metal, or asphalt architectural shingle — from $6,000 for a 10-by-10 hexagonal cedar kit to $20,000 for a 16-by-16 custom-built octagonal with cedar shake roof. Distinct from a pergola in that the roof is solid (sheds rain completely) and the structure usually sits as a destination point in the yard rather than against the house. Distinct from a covered patio cover in that the gazebo stands free as a visual feature with a peaked or hipped roof and an enclosed visual identity, rather than as a shade extension over a deck or patio. The hexagonal and octagonal plans deliver the traditional cottage-garden gazebo look most homeowners picture when they say they want a gazebo; the rectangular custom builds suit larger plans (outdoor kitchens, larger seating clusters) where the regular geometry serves the use case better.
Service
What Does a Gazebo Build Include?
A gazebo build is the standalone-roofed-structure carpentry service that puts a hexagonal, octagonal, or rectangular cedar gazebo in a residential backyard — covering site review and post-location layout, concrete-set footings dug to 24 to 30 inches below grade with Simpson ABA or ABU post-base anchors, cedar post raise (six posts on hexagonal plans, eight posts on octagonal plans, four corner posts on rectangular plans), cedar-frame assembly per the manufacturer kit instructions (kit assembly) or per the engineer-of-record stamp (custom builds), roof framing (rafter-and-ridge on rectangular plans, center-king-post hub-and-spoke on hexagonal and octagonal), roofing install (cedar shake, standing-seam metal, corrugated metal, or asphalt architectural shingle), and finish detailing (rail-and-baluster, optional built-in bench seating, optional screening). Handis covers gazebos from $6,000 on the 10-by-10 hexagonal cedar kit up to $20,000 on the 16-by-16 custom-built octagonal with cedar shake roof.
Cedar Kit Assembly on Standard Sizes
Standard-size gazebos (10-by-10 hexagonal, 12-by-12 octagonal, 10-by-12 rectangular) are available as cedar kits — manufacturer-pre-cut Western Red Cedar components shipped to site as a structural-grade kit with the manufacturer assembly manual. Handis runs the assembly per the manual: power-auger the footings, set the cedar posts on the cured Simpson anchors, raise the perimeter frame, set the roof framing, install the roof material, install the rail-and-baluster and any built-in bench seating. Kit lead time is 2 to 4 weeks for manufacturer delivery; install runs 3 to 5 days on site after delivery.
Custom-Built Rectangular Framing on Larger Plans
Larger plans (14-by-14, 16-by-16, custom-shaped gazebos) get custom-built on site by Handis from Western Red Cedar lumber rather than a kit. The custom builds let us match a specific use case (an outdoor kitchen footprint, a larger entertaining area, a hot-tub gazebo with the right interior clearance) and let us upgrade the structural members beyond the kit defaults (6x8 beams on the larger spans, full ridge-and-rafter framing with collar ties, premium cedar shake roof). Custom-built gazebos require an engineer-of-record stamp on the framing drawings and the structural building permit pulled by Handis.
Hexagonal, Octagonal, or Rectangular Plan
Three standard plan geometries. Hexagonal (six-sided) reads as the traditional cottage-garden gazebo — the 10-by-10 hex kit is the most-popular gazebo we install. Octagonal (eight-sided) gives a more substantial visual presence — the 12-by-12 octagonal is the second-most-popular configuration. Rectangular reads more contemporary and works particularly well when the gazebo houses a specific use case (outdoor kitchen, hot tub, dining table) where the regular geometry serves the function — the 10-by-12 and 14-by-14 rectangular plans are common. We recommend the geometry on the first visit based on the yard, the use case, and the visual relationship to the house.
Roof Material — Cedar Shake, Metal Panel, or Architectural Shingle
Four roof options. Cedar shake (natural Western Red Cedar) is the traditional cottage-garden gazebo roof, weathers silver to match the cedar structure, lasts 20 to 30 years in PNW exposure with periodic re-shake. Standing-seam metal panel (Kynar-coated 24-gauge steel) is the premium long-life option, 40 to 50 year life, reads more contemporary. Corrugated metal (26 gauge Kynar) is the lighter-weight value-priced metal option. Asphalt architectural shingle (Owens Corning Duration, GAF Timberline HDZ, or equivalent) is the value-priced roof material — 25 to 30 year life, matches the most-common house roof material in Seattle, lowest cost of the four.
Footings, Frame Assembly, Hardware Spec
Same structural standards as our pergola builds. Concrete footings dug with a power auger to 24 to 30 inches below grade, sized to the wind-load calc for the structure and the IRC R403 frost-line for the jurisdiction. Simpson ABA or ABU post-base anchors set plumb in the wet pour. 48-hour concrete cure. Simpson ZMAX or 304/316 stainless hardware on every connection — galvanic-corrosion compatible with cedar tannins.
How a Gazebo Build Works
Seven sequential steps from kit selection (or custom design) through finish detail — the actual sequence we follow on every gazebo build.
Kit Selection or Custom Design
Tech walks the yard, confirms the gazebo location (visual relationship to the house, garden paths, sightlines from the deck or patio), recommends the plan geometry (hexagonal cottage look, octagonal substantial presence, rectangular use-case-driven), the size (10-by-10 hex kit through 16-by-16 custom), and the roof material. Cedar kit (standard sizes) or custom-built (larger or non-standard) decided. Permit and engineer-of-record sign-off requirement confirmed.
Order the Kit (or Mill the Cedar for Custom)
Cedar kit ordered from the manufacturer (Outdoor Living Today, Yardistry, Lifetime, or equivalent line) with 2 to 4 week delivery lead time. Custom-built gazebos use Western Red Cedar milled to spec from a PNW supplier with 1 to 2 week delivery lead time. Permit pull and engineer-of-record sign-off run in parallel on permit-required builds.
Power-Auger Footings to 24-30 Inches
Power-auger every footing to 24 to 30 inches below grade with the diameter sized to the post size and wind-load calc. Six footings on hexagonal plans, eight on octagonal plans, four corner footings on rectangular plans. Pour ready-mix concrete around Simpson ABA or ABU post-base anchors set plumb in the wet pour. 48-hour concrete cure.
Raise the Cedar Posts and Perimeter Frame
Cedar 6x6 posts lifted onto the cured ABU anchors and through-bolted with the post-base hardware. Each post plumbed against a 4-foot level on two faces and braced with 2x4 cedar braces until the perimeter frame goes up. Perimeter frame (the connecting beams between the posts at the top) set per the kit manual or the engineer-of-record stamp.
Set the Roof Framing — Rafter-and-Ridge or Hub-and-Spoke
Rectangular plans get standard rafter-and-ridge framing (a center ridge beam with rafters running down to the eaves on both sides). Hexagonal and octagonal plans get hub-and-spoke framing — a center king-post hub at the apex with rafters running from the hub down to each of the perimeter posts. The hub assembly is the structural heart of a hexagonal or octagonal gazebo and lands in the center on a temporary support during install.
Install the Roof Material
Cedar shake (natural Western Red Cedar) installed in graduated courses with the manufacturer-spec exposure, starter course at the eave, ridge cap at the apex. Standing-seam metal panel or corrugated metal — clips at the seam, no exposed fasteners through the panel face on standing-seam, gasketed manufacturer-screws at the valleys on corrugated. Asphalt architectural shingle — synthetic underlayment, drip-edge, starter strip at the eave, shingle courses with the manufacturer-spec offset pattern, ridge cap.
Finish Detail — Rail, Bench, Optional Screening
Rail-and-baluster installed at the perimeter (cedar matching the structure), optional built-in bench seating around the interior perimeter, optional screening (insect screen or roller-screen panels) installed if specified. Cedar trim at the post-to-beam connections, decorative post caps, rafter-tail chamfer if visible from below. Tools off site at the end of the third to fifth day depending on plan and roof material.
Gazebo Pricing
Final pricing depends on plan geometry (hexagonal, octagonal, rectangular), size (10-by-10 through 16-by-16), build method (cedar kit on standard sizes or custom-built on larger and non-standard plans), roof material (cedar shake premium, standing-seam metal premium, corrugated metal mid, asphalt shingle value), built-in seating, and any screening. Structural permit fee on builds over 200 square feet and engineer-of-record fee on custom builds pass through transparently as named line items. Request a free estimate for an accurate quote.
Tell us the yard location, the plan geometry preference (hexagonal cottage, octagonal substantial, rectangular use-case), and the roof material — we will quote the gazebo build with any permit and engineer-of-record fee called out separately.
Why Handis for Gazebo Construction
A gazebo lives in a different part of the yard than a pergola or a covered patio cover. A pergola or covered cover usually sits against the house and shades a specific deck or patio surface where the family is already gathering — it is functional infrastructure. A gazebo is a destination — a feature you walk to, a structure that anchors a corner of the yard or a garden path, a place to sit at the end of an evening walk through the property. The cedar shake hex roof on a 10-by-10 cedar kit reads as the cottage-garden gazebo most homeowners picture when they say the word; the custom 16-by-16 octagonal with cedar shake is a meaningful piece of backyard architecture. We build both honestly — the kit assemblies with the same attention to footings and hardware as the custom builds, and the custom builds with the engineer-of-record sign-off, the Handis-pulled permit, and the matched cedar trim throughout.
Cedar kit assemblies done to the manufacturer manual
Cedar kit gazebos (Outdoor Living Today, Yardistry, Lifetime, and equivalent lines) come with a manufacturer assembly manual that specifies the footing depth, the post-base anchor, the assembly sequence, the hardware torque, and the manufacturer warranty terms. Handis runs the assembly per the manual — the footings get dug to the manufacturer-spec depth even when the kit instructions say less than our default 24-inch minimum (we go to 24 minimum on every install), the hardware torques to spec, the assembly sequence follows the manual. Manufacturer warranty stays in force because the install is by-the-book.
Custom gazebos with engineer-of-record stamp on the framing
Custom-built gazebos (14-by-14 and larger; non-standard geometry) get the framing drawings stamped by a structural engineer before the permit submission. The stamp covers the wind-load calc, the snow-load calc, the post and beam sizing, the hub-and-spoke roof framing (on hexagonal and octagonal plans), the rafter spec on rectangular plans, and the fastener schedule. We do not freelance custom-gazebo framing — the engineer-of-record stamp is the structural validation that the gazebo passes the framing inspection on the first pass.
Hub-and-spoke roof framing on hexagonal and octagonal plans
Hexagonal and octagonal gazebo roofs use hub-and-spoke framing — a center king-post hub at the apex with rafters running from the hub down to each of the perimeter posts. The hub is the structural heart of the roof; it carries the load from all six (or eight) rafters back through the king post to a central bearing point. We pre-assemble the hub on the ground, lift it into position with a temporary support, then run the rafters from the hub out to each perimeter post. The hub assembly is what separates a clean hex or octagon gazebo roof from a sagging one.
Cedar shake roofing the traditional way
Cedar shake roof installs in graduated courses with the manufacturer-spec exposure (typically 5 to 7 inches exposed per course for #1 grade shakes), a starter course at the eave, and a ridge cap at the apex. Synthetic underlayment under the shakes, drip-edge at the eave, ice-and-water-shield at the eave and rake on permit builds. Cedar shake lasts 20 to 30 years in PNW exposure with periodic moss treatment; the weathered shake roof reads silver-grey to match the cedar structure within 12 to 18 months.
Permits pulled by Handis on builds over 200 square feet
Gazebos under 200 square feet (10-by-10 hex, 10-by-12 rectangular, 12-by-12 octagonal at 144 sq ft — most cedar kit configurations) usually do not require a permit in Seattle, King County, and most Puget Sound jurisdictions. Custom-built and larger plans (14-by-14 and up — 196 sq ft and above) require a permit pulled by Handis as the responsible builder. Engineer-of-record sign-off coordinated on permit-required builds; fee passes through as a named line item.
One-year project warranty + manufacturer warranty on kit and roofing
One-year project warranty on our carpentry covering footing dig and pour, post-set, frame assembly, roof framing, roofing install, finish detailing, and the structural-permit-related work on permit builds. Manufacturer warranty on cedar kit components runs 5 to 10 years depending on the manufacturer (Outdoor Living Today 5 years on structure, Yardistry 10 years on the lumber); on cedar shake roof typically 25 years on the material; on standing-seam metal Kynar finish 25 to 30 years on the paint, 40 to 50 years on the substrate; on asphalt shingle 25 to 30 years per the manufacturer. We file manufacturer warranty registration on completion.
Estimate
Tell us the yard location for the gazebo (visual relationship to the house, sightlines from the deck or patio, garden-path destination point), the plan geometry preference (hexagonal traditional cottage, octagonal substantial visual presence, rectangular use-case-driven), the rough size (10-by-10 hex kit through 16-by-16 custom octagonal), the roof material preference (cedar shake traditional, standing-seam metal contemporary, corrugated metal value, asphalt architectural shingle entry-price), and any built-in seating or screening you want. We confirm the permit threshold for your jurisdiction and call out the engineer-of-record fee on custom builds.
Customer Reviews
Gazebo build reviews from real Handis customers.
10x10 hexagonal cedar gazebo kit in our Magnolia backyard — the traditional cottage gazebo we had been wanting for years. Handis dug the six footings with the power auger, set the cedar posts on the Simpson anchors, ran the manufacturer kit assembly per the manual, and topped it with asphalt architectural shingle. Reads exactly like a Northwest cottage garden feature. Under 200 sq ft so no Seattle permit.
12x12 octagonal cedar gazebo with cedar shake roof in our Bellevue yard — substantial visual presence at the corner of the property, garden path leading to it from the deck. Handis ran the kit assembly with the cedar shake roof upgrade, hub-and-spoke framing per the manual, and the shake weathered to silver in the first 18 months. Built-in cedar bench seating around the interior perimeter.
14x14 custom-built octagonal cedar in Mercer Island, 196 sq ft so it triggered the permit. Handis pulled the Mercer Island permit, the engineer-of-record stamped the framing drawings (the hub-and-spoke framing on an octagonal needs the stamp), and the build went up over a week after the footings cured. Cedar shake roof, premium cedar throughout, the most substantial gazebo we have seen on a residential lot in the neighborhood.
16x16 custom rectangular cedar gazebo sized for our outdoor kitchen — the rectangular plan let us fit the grill, the sink, the prep counter, and a dining table all under cover. Handis ran the engineer-of-record sign-off, pulled the Kirkland permit, and built the framing to handle the structural load of an outdoor kitchen plus the cedar shake roof. Largest custom gazebo they build and worth the investment for the year-round usability.
10x12 rectangular cedar gazebo in our Ballard backyard with insect screening at the perimeter. Asphalt shingle roof to match the house roof. The roller-screen panels at the perimeter make the gazebo usable in August when the mosquitoes are out. Under 200 sq ft so no Seattle permit. Three days of on-site work after the kit delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Handis gazebo construction.