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
| 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan | 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan (Mahogany) | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Pavilions | Pavilions |
| Style | Timber Frame | Timber Frame |
| Footprint | 20x30 ft (600 sq ft) | 20x30 ft (600 sq ft) |
| Wood species | Composite (Trex / Azek) | Mahogany |
| Roof finish | HDPE shade cloth canopy | open lattice rafters |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Build time | ~138 hrs | ~112 hrs |
| Materials cost | $63,350–$99,000 | $55,450–$86,625 |
| Footing depth | 36″ × 6 posts | 36″ × 6 posts |
| Concrete | 12 × 60-lb bags | 12 × 60-lb bags |
| Cut-list items | 7 | 7 |
| Build steps | 12 | 12 |
Cost & budget
The 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan lands in the $63,350–$99,000 range for materials in Composite (Trex / Azek), while the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan (Mahogany) runs $55,450–$86,625 in Mahogany. The second plan is approximately 14% more expensive at typical 2026 lumber-yard pricing — driven mostly by the choice of Composite (Trex / Azek) over Mahogany and the difference in cubic concrete volume between 6 and 6 footings.
Labor & difficulty
At ~138 hours, the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan is rated Advanced. The 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan (Mahogany) takes ~112 hours and is rated Advanced. The labor delta is roughly 26 hours, or one extra working day on the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion 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 600 sq ft vs 600 sq ft, you are choosing between a full outdoor room and a full outdoor room. Allow at least 24 inches of clearance on every side for furniture and walking paths — that means the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan needs a clear area of approximately 24×34 ft and the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan (Mahogany) needs 24×34 ft.
Material & durability
The 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan is built from Composite (Trex / Azek), while the 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion 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, 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 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan page and the complete 20x30 ft Timber Frame Pavilion Plan (Mahogany) page. Both ship with full cut lists, hardware schedules, footing specs, and step-by-step build instructions.