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
| 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan | 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pergolas | Arbors |
| Style | Farmhouse | Rose Garden |
| Footprint | 10x14 ft (140 sq ft) | 3x4 ft (12 sq ft) |
| Wood species | White Oak | Mahogany |
| Roof finish | retractable canvas awning | standing-seam metal roofing |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~44 hrs | ~23 hrs |
| Materials cost | $4,850–$7,600 | $350–$575 |
| 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 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan lands in the $4,850–$7,600 range for materials in White Oak, while the 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) runs $350–$575 in Mahogany. The second plan is approximately 1250% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of White Oak over Mahogany and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 4 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~44 hours, the 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is rated Intermediate. The 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) takes ~23 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 21 hours, or one extra working day on the 10x14 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 140 sq ft vs 12 sq ft, you are choosing between a generous patio cover and a focal-point garden structure. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan needs a clear area of approximately 14×18 ft and the 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) needs 7×8 ft.
Material & durability
The 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan is built from White Oak, while the 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) calls for Mahogany. 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, 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) 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 10x14 ft Farmhouse Pergola Plan page and the complete 3x4 ft Rose Garden Arbor Plan (Mahogany) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.