Is It Cheaper To Build A Bookshelf Or Buy One?

When considering building a bookshelf versus buying one, there are many factors to weigh. This analysis will look at the costs of materials, required tools and expertise, ability to customize, quality and durability, environmental impact, resale value, and overall satisfaction. By evaluating these key points, one can determine if it is more economical to construct bookshelves or purchase pre-made ones. This comparison will outline the main pros and cons of each option to help readers decide what works best for their needs and budget.

Cost of Materials

The cost of materials can vary significantly depending on the size and design of the bookshelf you want to build. Some key costs to consider include:

Wood – The type of wood, dimensions, and quantity needed will impact cost. Hardwoods like oak or maple are generally more expensive than softwoods like pine or spruce. For example, a basic 8 foot pine board at Home Depot starts around $10-15, while an oak board may be $50-60.

Hardware – This includes screws, nails, brackets, shelf pins, and any specialty hardware for joints or features. Basic hardware like screws may run $20-40 for a project.

Finishing materials – Sandpaper, wood filler, stain, paint, polyurethane or other protective finishes can range from $30-100 depending on type and project size.

Compare this to a pre-built unfinished pine bookshelf of similar dimensions that may cost $150-300. The pre-built comes with wood, hardware, and instructions included but lacks customization. Building your own allows you to choose higher quality materials, like oak wood and custom finishes.

Tools and Equipment

Building your own bookshelf requires several essential woodworking tools. At a minimum, you’ll need saws to cut the wood, sanders to smooth edges, drills for creating holes, clamps to hold pieces together for gluing or nailing, and basic safety gear like glasses and gloves (Grainger).

Hand tools like hammers, chisels, levels, and tape measures are necessary for basic bookcase construction (York Saw & Knife). You’ll also need something to cut the wood with – while a handsaw can work, power saws like a circular saw, miter saw, or jigsaw make the job easier and give cleaner cuts.

Sanders are needed to smooth and finish the wood. A random orbital sander is versatile for smoothing flat surfaces, while a belt sander speeds up removing material. An electric drill/driver comes in handy for drilling shelf pin holes and driving screws (Wagner Meters).

If you’re an avid DIYer with a home workshop, you may already own many of the necessary tools. Otherwise, you may need to buy or rent certain larger power tools and specialty items. Factor this initial investment into the total project cost.

Labor and Expertise

Building a bookshelf from scratch requires a certain skill level and time investment, especially for an amateur woodworker. According to How To Build a Classic Floor-To-Ceiling Bookcase, even a basic bookcase can take at least 40 hours to construct. An amateur may need significantly more time to accurately measure, cut, assemble, sand, and finish the bookshelf.

Common mistakes like imperfect cuts, misaligned shelves, or corners that don’t join correctly can ruin the final product. An experienced woodworker has the expertise to avoid these errors and achieve tight joints, smooth surfaces, and sturdy construction. For an amateur, the learning curve can be steep and the work tedious without proper woodworking knowledge.

In contrast, buying a pre-built bookcase from a store is extremely convenient. The shelves are already cut and assembled, so the unit can be put together and filled with books right away. While customization is limited, a purchase eliminates the need for tools, materials, workspace, skill development, and labor invested in constructing it yourself.

Customization

A major advantage of building your own bookshelf is the ability to fully customize it to your exact specifications. With a custom built bookshelf, you can choose the precise dimensions – height, width, depth – that work best for your space and storage needs. You also have flexibility in selecting the type of wood, such as oak, maple, cherry, pine etc. based on your aesthetic preferences as well as budget.

In terms of finish, a homemade bookshelf allows you to stain, paint, or finish the wood exactly how you envision. You can match existing furniture and decor by using the same stain or paint color. An unfinished bookshelf can also be left natural to highlight the beauty of the wood grain. Pre-made bookshelves have limited standard size and finish options that may not work as seamlessly in your home.

Additionally, a homemade bookshelf can incorporate custom built-ins like drawers, cabinets, lighting, and other functional elements tailored to your needs. With an off-the-shelf bookcase, you are limited to whatever features are included in the standard product design. The ability to customize not only the sizing but also the features makes a homemade bookshelf a much more personal and functional addition to your space. For ultimate flexibility and customization, building your own bookshelf is likely the better option compared to buying pre-fabricated.

According to CustomMade.com, custom bookcases allow choosing “the wood, stain, glaze, distressing, and any other specifications.” This high degree of personalization and tailoring is a key benefit of building vs. buying.

Quality and Durability

When it comes to quality and durability, DIY furniture often surpasses pre-built furniture. With DIY, you control the materials and construction methods, allowing you to select higher quality woods, joinery techniques, and finishes.

For example, pre-built furniture from big box stores typically uses lower grade particle board or laminates, while DIY projects can utilize solid hardwoods like oak or maple. These solid woods are naturally more resistant to scratches, dents, and warping over time. The joinery is also key – DIY furniture can be crafted using mortise and tenon joints, dovetails, and other methods that create sturdy, long-lasting connections.

On the finishing side, hand applied stains, paints, or oils allow for richer, deeper colors versus mass produced coatings. And multiple coats provide added protection. According to one furniture builder, “a hand-rubbed finish has a depth and luster that can’t be duplicated by a machine.” [1]

In terms of durability, users on Reddit widely agree that DIY furniture will outlast low to mid-range pre-built options, provided you use proper construction techniques. One commenter who builds his own desks notes “I expect my work to last longer than I will.” [2] With DIY, you control the quality from start to finish.

Satisfaction and Enjoyment

One key intangible benefit to consider is the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that comes with building your own furniture. As the article “The IKEA Effect: Why We Cherish Things We Build” points out, “Doing a job well gives a certain sense of satisfaction that we attach to the object.” There is often a feeling of pride and personal connection when you put in the time and effort to construct something with your own two hands.

On the other hand, buying pre-made furniture provides more instant gratification and convenience. As this Reddit user describes, “There’s definite satisfaction in making your own furniture, and sometimes there’s no other choice but to make your own for your lifestyle, but just buying something that fits your needs already assembled is very convenient.” So while it may not provide the same sense of satisfaction, purchasing furniture allows you to skip the work and have something ready to use right away.

Ultimately, it’s a tradeoff between enjoying the process of building versus the ease of buying. Consider which is more important for your needs and personality when weighing these intangible factors.

Environmental Impact

When comparing the environmental impact of building versus buying a bookshelf, there are several key factors to consider. The production of furniture requires large amounts of natural resources, including wood, metal, and plastics derived from petroleum (The impact of modern furniture on environment). Using recycled or reclaimed wood can greatly reduce the carbon footprint compared to newly harvested wood.

Manufacturing furniture also creates waste from off-cuts and unused materials. Building a DIY bookshelf enables the reuse of scrap wood and precision cutting to minimize waste. In contrast, mass-produced furniture can generate high material waste from the manufacturing process (3 Biggest Environmental Impacts of Non-Sustainable Furniture).

The transport and packaging required to ship pre-made furniture also has an environmental impact. A homemade bookshelf only needs to transport materials from the hardware store, versus long distances to distribution centers and retail outlets for purchased items. Reducing transport distances and packaging materials helps lower carbon emissions.

Overall, building DIY furniture from recycled materials, with efficient use of resources and minimal transport, can have a significantly smaller environmental footprint than mass-produced and shipped furniture.

Resale Value

When considering the long-term value, handbuilt furniture often retains its worth better than mass-produced pieces. According to research from FurnitureConsignment.com, handcrafted furniture holds its value incredibly well, with some antique or vintage pieces even gaining value over time. This is in contrast to mass-produced furniture which tends to depreciate quickly. There are several factors that contribute to the higher resale value of handbuilt furniture:

• Quality craftsmanship and materials – Handbuilt furniture is constructed to last using quality woods, joinery, and finishes. This durability allows it to withstand use and remain desirable for resale.
• Customization – Since handbuilt furniture is made to order, it has more uniqueness than factory produced pieces. This custom look makes handbuilt items more valuable to buyers.
• Brand reputation – Quality handbuilt furniture comes from recognizable brands and makers that add cachet and collectability.
• Scarcity – The limited quantity of handbuilt furniture pieces also makes them more rare and valuable.

While mass-produced furniture may be cheaper upfront, quality handbuilt furniture retains its real worth and can be resold for a greater percentage of its original price. This makes handbuilt furniture a better investment in the long run.

Conclusion

When weighing the costs of building versus buying a bookshelf, there are several key factors to consider. The main advantages of building your own bookshelf are full customizability, satisfaction from a DIY project, and environmental benefits from using reclaimed materials. However, building requires purchasing tools and materials, investing time in designing and constructing, and having some woodworking skills. The main perks of buying a bookshelf are saving time, getting a quality finished product, and avoiding the need for tools and skills. However, buying limits custom options and sustainability.

Overall, for those short on time or DIY experience but who want a stylish yet affordable bookshelf, buying is likely the better option. For hands-on homeowners who enjoy woodworking and want something totally custom, building makes more sense despite the higher effort and startup costs. The choice ultimately depends on your goals, budget and abilities. With the right considerations around materials, tools, and labor, building your own bookshelf can be a rewarding way to get exactly what you want. But buying pre-made can be a quick and hassle-free solution too.