The last few times I have needed to purchase a few sticks of lumber at either Lowes or Home Depot, I've had to sort though an entire stack just to get a few that were actually straight and weren't thoughtfully pre-bent to go around corners or so full of defects like knots, checks or wind-shake as to be structurally useless.... The quality at these mega-retailers really seems to have declined - dramatically.

Support you local lumber yard.

Cheers

A lumber supplier will be somewhat more expensive, but you will be much happier in the end. Like apg4, I, too have given up on getting lumber from the big box stores. First it takes forever to find straight, relatively sound pieces, and second, I've found that the lumber I do get is not always adequately kiln-dried and may warp later. The pergola is going to be a nice structure. Don''t cheapen it with big box store lumber.

As for cost, I've never built with vinyl before, but structurally adequate posts of those dimensions are going to be more expensive than wood.

Hi
looks like an interesting project. One handyman is going to build the whole project?? Are you in florida??
Have you got a permit and have you decided on materials?? You can contract all the materials necessary from either of the box stores and will arrive in kit form .
How about a foundation choice and function of the structure?? .
If you want you can get archetectural copies of various types of columns in vinyl, wood, stone. will arrive in crates and asseble by no. lol be prepared to be shocked at the cost lol But will be a permanent structure that will last ??? Good luck gary

OK so I have changed it up a little. We are doing 14x20
Using wood for the beams and runners. For support using 4x4 posts and architectural fiberglass columns. They are about 140 per column not too bad. for foundation Il will be burying posts in concrete than attaching the columns to the concrete. What else do I need? I am not buying any kits, thats why a lists to make sure I dont miss anything important

So those will be 4X4 pressure treated posts, I presume, and the fiberglass columns slip over them? As far as I'm concerned, burying the posts in concrete (with several inches of gravel in the bottom of the hole for the posts to rest on and have drainage is the way to go. I'm glad you have decided against fastening the posts to the concrete: as you may know, the galvanized stirrups are not approved for freestanding structures like that and have little resistance to twisting caused by wind.

Also, what kind of metal fasteners are you using? I'd highly recommend stainless, at least for any nails or screws, and hot dipped, galvanized bolts if you can also protect them with paint. If I were doing this project, I would get stainless bolts as well, particularly if there is any chance of exposure to salt water in the air.

Thank you guys for all the advice!. I really appreciated. this is not an easy project. So also wanted to post on here a website where i was able to buy a plan with material list for $45. i called over the phone spoke with a live person who was very knowledgeable. I had called an engineer/architect company to design and they want to charge $1800!
http://www.finehouse.net/Plans%20Pergolas.htm

Thank you guys for all the advice!. I really appreciated. this is not an easy project. So also wanted to post on here a website where i was able to buy a plan with material list for $45. i called over the phone spoke with a live person who was very knowledgeable. I had called an engineer/architect company to design and they want to charge $1800!
http://www.finehouse.net/Plans%20Pergolas.htm