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
| 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan | 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Arbors | Arbors |
| Style | Picket-Sided Wedding | Picket-Sided Wedding |
| Footprint | 5x5 ft (25 sq ft) | 5x5 ft (25 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Redwood | Black Locust |
| Roof finish | standing-seam metal roofing | clear EPDM membrane |
| Difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| Build time | ~22 hrs | ~33 hrs |
| Materials cost | $525–$825 | $600–$950 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 2 posts | 36″ × 2 posts |
| Concrete | 4 × 60-lb bags | 4 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 5 | 5 |
| Build steps | 9 | 9 |
Cost & budget
The 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan lands in the $525–$825 range for materials in Redwood, while the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) runs $600–$950 in Black Locust. The first plan is approximately 15% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Black Locust over Redwood and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 2 and 2 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~22 hours, the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan is rated Beginner. The 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) takes ~33 hours and is rated Intermediate. The labor delta is roughly 11 hours, or one extra working day on the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust). If you are newer to outdoor woodworking, the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan is the safer pick — it uses simpler joinery and fewer compound cuts.
Footprint & site fit
At 25 sq ft vs 25 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 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan needs a clear area of approximately 9×9 ft and the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) needs 9×9 ft.
Material & durability
The 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan is built from Redwood, while the 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) calls for Black Locust. 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, 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan is the faster build. 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 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan page and the complete 5x5 ft Picket-Sided Wedding Arbor Plan (Black Locust) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.