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
| 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan | 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Lean-To Shelters | Lean-To Shelters |
| Style | Grill Shelter | Patio Lean-To |
| Footprint | 8x10 ft (80 sq ft) | 8x10 ft (80 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Black Locust | White Oak |
| Roof finish | HDPE shade cloth canopy | open lattice rafters |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~23 hrs | ~26 hrs |
| Materials cost | $2,325–$3,625 | $2,175–$3,400 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 10 | 10 |
Cost & budget
The 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan lands in the $2,325–$3,625 range for materials in Black Locust, while the 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan runs $2,175–$3,400 in White Oak. The second plan is approximately 6% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Black Locust over White Oak and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~23 hours, the 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan is rated Beginner. The 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan takes ~26 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 3 hours, or one extra working day on the 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan. If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 80 sq ft vs 80 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 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan needs a clear area of approximately 12×14 ft and the 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan needs 12×14 ft.
Material & durability
The 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan is built from Black Locust, while the 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan calls for White Oak. 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 8x10 ft Grill Shelter Lean-To Shelter Plan page and the complete 8x10 ft Patio Lean-To Lean-To Shelter Plan page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.