Submitted by AutoModerator t3_11cj95c in DIY
--Ty-- t1_jaar6n8 wrote
Reply to comment by DietSodaExpert in General Feedback/Getting Started Questions and Answers [Weekly Thread] by AutoModerator
Financially speaking, most low-end DIY is not worth it, because the cost of mass-produced good is SO low, that you can't really beat it once you factor in the consumables (paint, sandpaper, primer, etc.) and especially your time. This often keeps people trapped in an endless cycle of buying cheap products that don't last (the "Boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness".) The reason to DIY low-end objects is more for the satisfaction, sense of accomplishment, and learning opportunity they represent, rather than for financial gain.
However, the cost to DIY something is often much less than a high-quality good, so it would seem to make sense to DIY it -- but only if the base material is decent.
If I had the choice between spending $75 on paint and materials for a particle-board desk, or $150 for a solid-wood desk on the marketplace, I'd go with the solid wood one every time, because then, if it does need repairs in the future, I know its actually repairable, and that those repairs will last another 20 years, rather than 2.
What is your budget? There may be better options available for you.
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