Custom pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and shade structures for Rhode Island properties. Toensing Construction builds outdoor structures that are well-proportioned, well-built, and designed to hold up through New England seasons.
Request an EstimateA pergola or outdoor structure is only as good as the carpentry behind it. Toensing Construction builds outdoor structures with proper post bases, well-proportioned framing, and joinery that stays tight through freeze-thaw cycles and wet Rhode Island winters.
We build structures that suit the scale of the property, integrate with existing decks or patios, and use materials appropriate for long-term outdoor exposure in this climate. Many of our pergolas include a slatted or lattice top built to support climbing plants like wisteria or clematis, giving the outdoor space natural shade that fills in over time. Where the project calls for drawings, we bring in the design firm we work with and stay involved through that phase.
From a simple garden arbor to a full outdoor kitchen with gas, water, and power, here is the range of outdoor work Toensing Construction handles. On the larger builds we act as your general contractor and run the trades ourselves.
A pergola attached to your home extends your living space into the yard. We handle ledger connections, post footings, beam sizing, and rafter layouts for structures that are both safe and beautiful.
Freestanding pergola structures positioned anywhere on your property. We design for proper proportions, set posts at the right depth for your soil conditions, and build to last through Rhode Island winters.
Garden arbors, pathway structures, and decorative entryways built with the same craftsmanship we bring to interior work. Sized to your path, gate, or garden entrance.
Overhead structures designed to define and cover an outdoor dining area. We can incorporate lighting blocking and ceiling fan mounting into the framing for year-round usability.
Custom privacy screening using wood lattice, slat panels, or solid board fencing integrated into a structural framework. Designed to block sightlines without making the yard feel closed in.
Overhead shade structures built as part of or added to an existing deck. We ensure proper structural connection and design the overhead to complement the deck's scale and style.
Full outdoor kitchen builds, run start to finish by us as your general contractor. We frame and finish the structure, build the counter bases and cabinetry, and bring in and schedule the masonry, gas, electrical, and plumbing trades so you are dealing with one contractor rather than five. Grill and appliance surrounds, counter runs, storage, and an overhead pergola or roof if you want the space usable in the rain.
A smaller version of the same idea: a covered grill station, a bar counter off the deck, or a serving area under a pergola. We handle the framing, roofing or slat cover, counters, and the rough-ins for gas and power, sized to the space you actually have rather than to a catalog.
How It Works
Whether it is a simple garden arbor or a full outdoor kitchen with gas, water, and power, the sequence is the same. We scope it honestly up front, handle the permitting, and run the trades so you are not chasing five subcontractors yourself.
We walk the site with you, take measurements, and talk through size, materials, and how you actually plan to use the space. We check setbacks, grade, drainage, and where existing utilities run. If the project needs drawings, we bring in the design firm we work with and stay involved through that phase.
Most freestanding structures over a certain size need a building permit, and anything with gas, water, or electrical needs trade permits on top of that. We prepare and submit the applications and schedule the inspections. Requirements vary by town, so we confirm with your building department before anything gets ordered.
We set footings below the frost line, use standoff post bases so end grain never sits in water, and frame with beams and rafters sized for the span rather than for what is cheapest. This is the part that decides whether the structure is still tight in fifteen years.
On an outdoor kitchen this is where masonry, gas, electrical, and plumbing come in. We schedule them in the right order, walk each one, and make sure the rough-ins land where the appliances and counters are actually going before anything gets closed up.
Slats, trim, counters, cabinet doors, and any built-in seating go on last, then final inspections. We walk the finished structure with you, explain what maintenance the materials need, and leave you with the permit sign-offs.
Common Questions
Complete outdoor kitchens. We act as your general contractor for the whole job: we self-perform the framing, structure, counter bases, cabinetry, and finish carpentry, and we bring in and schedule the masonry, gas, electrical, and plumbing trades. You sign one contract and deal with one contractor rather than coordinating five of them yourself.
Usually yes. Most towns require a building permit for a freestanding structure above a certain size, and always for anything attached to the house. An outdoor kitchen adds gas, electrical, and plumbing permits on top. Thresholds vary by municipality, so we confirm with your building department and handle the applications and inspections as part of the project.
Western red cedar and mahogany are the two we recommend most in this climate; both hold up to salt air and take a finish well. We also build in pressure-treated lumber where budget is the priority, and in cellular PVC or composite where a homeowner wants no maintenance at all. We walk you through the tradeoffs in cost, upkeep, and how each one weathers before you decide.
Often, but it depends on what is underneath. A pergola and especially an outdoor kitchen add real weight, so we check whether the existing framing, footings, or slab can carry it. Sometimes we can tie into what is there; sometimes it needs its own footings set alongside. We assess that on the site visit before quoting.
A straightforward pergola or arbor is typically one to two weeks on site once permits are in hand. A full outdoor kitchen runs longer, usually three to six weeks, because masonry, gas, electrical, and plumbing each need their own window and their own inspection. Permitting timelines vary by town and are the most common reason a start date moves.
That depends entirely on how it is built, and it is worth deciding before framing. Rafter spacing, the depth of the slats, and which way the structure faces all change how much sun gets through and at what time of day. If you want genuine shade over a dining or cooking area we can tighten the spacing, add a louvered or solid section, or run a fixed roof over part of it.
"Colby is an absolute gem! His attention to detail and craftsmanship are top notch. In areas in which I thought he would repair rotten wood, he re-built entire sections with precision and beauty. He built new railings with beautiful insets. He sloped the flooring for rain runoff, and painted everything to match the existing colors of the house. The railings are now solid as a rock! I very highly recommend Colby for your projects."
Donna G., Google Review
Start Your Project
Contact Toensing Construction to request an estimate. We serve homeowners across Warren, Barrington, Bristol, and throughout Rhode Island.
We build custom pergolas, shade structures, and outdoor living spaces for homeowners throughout Rhode Island.