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 | 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Arbors |
| Style | Farmhouse | Moon Gate |
| Footprint | 10x10 ft (100 sq ft) | 3x4 ft (12 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Pressure-Treated Pine | Pressure-Treated Pine |
| Roof finish | tongue-and-groove cedar planks | tensioned 320-gsm shade sail fabric |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~98 hrs | ~50 hrs |
| Materials cost | $1,900–$2,975 | $150–$225 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 4 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 8 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 11 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan lands in the $1,900–$2,975 range for materials in Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan runs $150–$225 in Pressure-Treated Pine. The second plan is approximately 1257% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Pressure-Treated Pine over Pressure-Treated Pine and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~98 hours, the 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is rated Advanced. The 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan takes ~50 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 48 hours, or one extra working day on the 10x10 ft Farmhouse 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 12 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 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan needs 7×8 ft.
Material & durability
The 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is built from Pressure-Treated Pine, while the 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan calls for Pressure-Treated Pine. Both plans share the same species, so you can buy from a single lumber order if you build them in sequence — a common move for homeowners adding both a primary structure and a complementary screen or arbor.
Verdict
For a builder weighing these two specifically, 3x4 ft Moon Gate 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 10x10 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan page and the complete 3x4 ft Moon Gate Arbor Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.