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 | 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Pergolas |
| Style | Farmhouse | Mission |
| Footprint | 10x10 ft (100 sq ft) | 8x8 ft (64 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Western Red Cedar |
| Roof finish | tongue-and-groove cedar planks | cedar shake shingles |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~98 hrs | ~137 hrs |
| Materials cost | $1,900–$2,975 | $1,650–$2,575 |
| 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 lands in the $1,900–$2,975 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan runs $1,650–$2,575 in Western Red Cedar. The second plan is approximately 16% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Western Red Cedar and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 4 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~98 hours, the 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is rated Advanced. The 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan takes ~137 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 39 hours, or one extra working day on the 8x8 ft Mission 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 64 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 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan needs a clear area of approximately 14×14 ft and the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan needs 12×12 ft.
Material & durability
The 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan calls for Western Red Cedar. 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, 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan covers more square footage. 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 page and the complete 8x8 ft Mission Pergola Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.