I set this up by myself in two days (using sawhorses to brace the uprights) and although I'm reasonably handy, I'm no carpenter! All in all it was an excellent experience and my hat's off to you for being able to construct and ship such a good kit. Even considering the shipping costs, there is no way we could have purchased lumber and paid people to construct something like this for the same money. We're considering doing another identical unit in the opposite corner of our courtyard. Well done. And good luck in this economy!

I have been meaning to send you these pictures of our pergola, showing the Shade Tree awnings, for over a year now. The pictures were taken in September this year, about a year after the pergola was first assembled. My brother and I had just finished washing the pergola with Murphy Oil Soap, and it had that wonderful, like new, honey glow.

Wow, Chris. I really appreciate your help on this effort. These plans are excellent and will definitely make my job easier. Again, thank you so much for your help. I will send you pictures when we get it all done. This pergola is the centerpiece of the Rosa Parks elementary school's outdoor classroom so it is a big deal to them that we are helping them out.

I was worried that the joints would swell and be difficult to assemble in the rain. I had very little difficulty. They went together very well. The workmanship on the parts was excellent.

The pergola looks beautiful and is getting rave reviews. It took about 7 hours to erect with 2 fairly good hands to help me. Thanks Max, I think I will have more work for you in the future.

Finished pergola is beautiful. Neighbors have commented very positively. View of yard from inside the pergola is difficult to describe. Can 'look through' the pergola lattices, but also 'look' out the 'windows' onto the garden. Very three-dimensional experience. One neighbor said that if he lived in our house, he would sit and read every day in the pergola.

Max, I wanted to drop you a line on the pergola. I have received nothing but rave reviews on this "magnificent structure". All of our expectations have been meet and exceeded - your shop has done a great job. We are celebrating an engagement and it will get a lot of usage during that party. Thanks again for your commitment on getting it here as you promised. We will look forward to many years of enjoyment.

The pergola has truly transformed our backyard into an outdoor paradise! We enjoy the hot tub every night. The privacy wall and beautiful drapery makes our pergola a wonderful enclosed outdoor room.

Our pergola looks remarkably good, the site, the positioning, the strength, the aesthetics, the measurements are all essentially perfect. My wife doesn't just like the pergola, she loves it! Thank you again.