Project Planning
DIY vs Buy-it Cost Calculator
Decide whether to make it yourself or buy it — by your hourly rate, materials, and tool amortization.
Calculator
What makes this different
Most 'DIY vs buy' calculators only compare material cost to retail price. This one adds three real costs: your time at an hourly rate, tool wear/amortization, and finishing materials. It also outputs a 'break-even retail price' you can take to the store.
Who it's for & when to use it
Deciding if it's worth building a dining table, cabinets, or a simple bookcase; pricing a job.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: DIY total = material + (hours × hourly) + tool_amort + finish. Worth-it factor = DIY total / retail price (under 1.0 = DIY wins on cost alone).
Notes & tips from the shop
- Your 'hourly value' is what your time would earn elsewhere — or the pain threshold for working on the project. Don't inflate it to make DIY always win.
- Tool amortization should be a fraction of the project's life: a saw used for one project is , not .
- Some DIY wins are about fit, finish, or joy — none of which this calculator captures. Use your own judgment for those.
Frequently asked questions
What hourly rate should I use?
Whatever you would earn if you were doing something else. if it's pure recreation; your day rate if it's a side hustle.
Should I include finishing time?
Yes — finishing can be 30–50 % of project time on a furniture build.
What about intangible value?
Pride, fit, customization — these favor DIY. The calculator is the cold-cost side; weigh the warm side separately.
Limitations
Does not value learning, customization, or pride. Pure cost-benefit only.
All calculations happen in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server.