Most outdoor spaces around the Manawātu sit unused far more than they should. Either the afternoon sun makes the deck unbearable from around two o’clock, or a spot of rain shuts the whole area down. A pergola solves whichever problem you’ve got, at a fraction of the cost of adding a room.
The real decision is what you actually need it to do. Open rafters and slats handle sun beautifully but do almost nothing for rain. A clear or louvred roof keeps the weather out and makes the deck usable even in September — but that changes the framing, the fixings and the price. Getting this call right at the quote stage is most of the job.
From there it’s about making the structure look like it belongs. Post sizes chosen to suit the span rather than whatever’s cheapest, evenly spaced rafters, and the whole thing squared up with the lines of the house. A pergola sits right at eye level from indoors, so anything slightly off becomes something you notice every single day.
It’s simple, really: three jobs done properly, a small crew you can actually reach on the phone, and pricing that holds up against anyone else quoting in town. Ten-plus years of decks, fences and pergolas across Palmerston North and Feilding backs it up.
Every quote spells out the timber, the sizes and exactly what’s included — no surprise extras later.
We stay small on purpose. The person who measures your job is the same one swinging the hammer, so nothing gets lost between quote and build.
Deeper posts on exposed sections, board spacing that lets water drain instead of pool, and fixings that won’t rust out on you.
Low overheads keep our pricing sharp. Put us up against any other quote you’ve got — we’re happy to compete.

We had a large fencing job done, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. The workmanship was excellent, the fence looks fantastic, and the attention to detail really shows.
The whole process was professional from start to finish, with the job completed to a very high standard. It’s clear that pride was taken in the work, and the finished result has made a huge difference to the property.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for a reliable, professional fence builder. Brilliant job and an excellent result.
We couldn’t be happier with the work from Guy at Rowdy Builders. From start to finish, he was friendly, professional and incredibly organised.
He coordinated all aspects of the work, including arranging the additional trades required, and kept us well informed throughout the entire process.
Everything was handled smoothly and professionally, and the end result was fantastic. We would highly recommend Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for quality workmanship and an stress-free experience
We recently had Guy and his ream construct a roof over the deck of our new house.
He was pleasant and punctual on the site visit and made a number of suggestions on how it could be achieved.
His quote was very reasonable and his timeline was stuck to.
We are very happy with the result and recommend him to anyone looking for a similar job.
We recently engaged Guy from Rowdy Builders to repair a wooden fence blown over in strong winds, and construct a medium size deck at our property.
From the outset, Guy was professional, approachable, and communicated extremely well, keeping us updated on progress and ensuring we knew what to expect at each stage of the project. The quality of workmanship was outstanding.
The fence repairs were completed to a high standard, and the new deck has completely transformed our outdoor area. It is clear that Guy takes pride in his work and pays attention to detail, delivering a finished product that exceeded our expectations.
We are extremely pleased with the result and would not hesitate to recommend Guy and Rowdy Builders to anyone looking for reliable, skilled tradespeople who deliver what they promise.
Pergolas are only part of what we do — decks and fences get exactly the same crew and the same firm price in writing.
New decks built to carry whatever you put over them.
Boundary and internal fencing that stays plumb.
Slatted screens and blinds built into the structure.
Extend an existing deck to make room for the pergola.
Ring 06 280 1144 or send the form through. Give us a rough idea of what you need and where you are.
We’ll come out, measure up, check access, and talk you through timber and layout choices.
Within 48 hours of the site visit you’ll have a written price with everything included spelled out.
Old structure removed, posts and piles set, then framing, boards and rails — with daily updates on progress.
We clear away offcuts and old material, tidy the site, and walk you through the finished job before we go.
We’re based in Palmerston North and take on work right across Feilding and the surrounding Manawātu. Not sure if you’re in range? Give us a call and ask.
Most pergolas take three to five days on site. Larger structures, louvred roofs or a full roof over the top will extend that. You’ll get the schedule upfront and we stick to it.
Only with a roof on it. Open rafters and slats deal with sun, not rain. If you want to sit out there through a wet Manawatū afternoon, you'll need clear polycarbonate, roofing sheet, or a closable louvred system. Best to decide this before we start, since the framing changes depending on the choice.
An attached pergola feels like part of the house and needs one less row of posts, but it must be flashed correctly where it meets the cladding. A freestanding structure avoids touching the building at all, which suits certain claddings and council situations better. We work out which fits your place during the site visit.
Too many variables to price sight unseen — size, timber choice, whether it’s roofed, whether posts land on an existing deck or need new footings, and site access all shift the number considerably. We measure up in person and give you a firm price in writing.
Usually, yes — provided the deck can carry the extra load. Post loads are concentrated, so we check the substructure first and either land posts over existing bearers and piles or add new footings alongside the deck. We’ll confirm which approach at the quote.
It comes down to where the sun hits your section. One orientation blocks the harsh afternoon sun while letting morning light through; the other does the reverse. We assess your section’s aspect rather than guessing.
Dressed H3.2 treated pine covers most jobs, stained or painted to match the house. Hardwood or cedar suits anyone wanting the timber left natural and on display. Louvred systems are built in aluminium.
Yes, and it’s significantly cheaper to build in from the start than retrofit later. Wiring can run through the framing before it’s closed up, and slatted side screens turn a pergola into a space you can still use when the wind picks up.
Free on-site quote. Firm price in writing. Decks, fences and pergolas — done properly.