If you have narrowed your shortlist to two specific designs, this is exactly the kind of decision where a side-by-side spec view saves a weekend of second-guessing. Both plans below are complete, code-aware DIY builds, but they differ on the things that matter for a backyard project — total cost, raw labor hours, footprint, and the wood species on the cut list.
Side-by-side specs
| 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan | 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Gazebos | Gazebos |
| Style | Bandstand | Square Hipped-Roof |
| Footprint | 16x16 ft (256 sq ft) | 12x14 ft (168 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Western Red Cedar | Black Locust |
| Roof finish | HDPE shade cloth canopy | HDPE shade cloth canopy |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Advanced |
| Build time | ~10 hrs | ~101 hrs |
| Materials cost | $11,300–$17,650 | $10,650–$16,625 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 6 posts | 36″ × 6 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 12 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 6 | 6 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan lands in the $11,300–$17,650 range for materials in Western Red Cedar, while the 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan runs $10,650–$16,625 in Black Locust. The second plan is approximately 6% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Western Red Cedar over Black Locust and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 6 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~10 hours, the 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is rated Beginner. The 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan takes ~101 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 91 hours, or one extra working day on the 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 256 sq ft vs 168 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a generous patio cover. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan needs a clear area of approximately 20×20 ft and the 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan needs 16×18 ft.
Material & durability
The 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is built from Western Red Cedar, while the 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan calls for Black Locust. The species choice drives the cost delta and the maintenance schedule. Pressure-treated southern yellow pine is the cheapest and most rot-tolerant for in-ground posts; western red cedar is the DIY favorite for visible parts; redwood and white oak are heritage choices that command a premium.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan is the faster build. If both fit your budget and yard, default to the design whose style language matches the rest of your house — a Craftsman bungalow looks awkward beside a modern slatted pergola, and vice versa.
Read each plan in full before committing: the complete 16x16 ft Bandstand Gazebo Plan page and the complete 12x14 ft Square Hipped-Roof Gazebo Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.