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
| 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) | 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Farmhouse | Saltbox |
| Footprint | 10x10 ft (100 sq ft) | 10x12 ft (120 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Cypress | Pressure-Treated Pine |
| Roof finish | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric | asphalt architectural shingles |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Beginner |
| Build time | ~20 hrs | ~24 hrs |
| Materials cost | $2,675–$4,200 | $2,275–$3,575 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 4 posts | 36″ × 4 posts |
| Concrete | 8 × 60-lb bags | 8 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 11 | 11 |
Cost & budget
The 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) lands in the $2,675–$4,200 range for materials in Cypress, while the 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan runs $2,275–$3,575 in Pressure-Treated Pine. The second plan is approximately 18% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Cypress over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~20 hours, the 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) is rated Beginner. The 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan takes ~24 hours and is rated Beginner. The labor delta is roughly 4 hours, or one extra working day on the 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola 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 100 sq ft vs 120 sq ft, you are choosing between a focal-point garden structure and a generous patio cover. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) needs a clear area of approximately 14×14 ft and the 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan needs 14×16 ft.
Material & durability
The 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) is built from Cypress, while the 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan calls for Pressure-Treated Pine. 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, these two plans are close in cost and effort — your choice comes down to style and footprint. 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 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan (Cypress) page and the complete 10x12 ft Saltbox Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.