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
| 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan | 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Arbors | Arbors |
| Style | Bench-Built | Round-Top Garden |
| Footprint | 5x7 ft (35 sq ft) | 5x7 ft (35 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Mahogany | Douglas Fir |
| Roof finish | tongue-and-groove cedar planks | HDPE shade cloth canopy |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~44 hrs | ~59 hrs |
| Materials cost | $1,050–$1,650 | $475–$750 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan lands in the $1,050–$1,650 range for materials in Mahogany, while the 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan runs $475–$750 in Douglas Fir. The second plan is approximately 121% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Mahogany over Douglas Fir and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~44 hours, the 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan is rated Intermediate. The 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan takes ~59 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 15 hours, or one extra working day on the 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan. Both plans require the same skill level, so the deciding factor is footprint and aesthetics rather than your comfort with carpentry.
Footprint & site fit
At 35 sq ft vs 35 sq ft, you are choosing between a focal-point garden structure and a focal-point garden structure. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan needs a clear area of approximately 9×11 ft and the 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan needs 9×11 ft.
Material & durability
The 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan is built from Mahogany, while the 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan calls for Douglas Fir. 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, 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan is the clear budget pick. 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 5x7 ft Bench-Built Arbor Plan page and the complete 5x7 ft Round-Top Garden Arbor Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.