15 Projects Cheaper To Buy Versus Doing It Yourself

Ever dreamt of crafting your furniture or whipping up fancy bath bombs? Hold on to your hammers and mixing bowls! Sometimes, the DIY route can end up costing more than simply buying the finished product. Here are a few projects where store-bought might be the smarter choice:

1. Custom-Blended Cleaning Solutions

Expensive Cleaning Supplies — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Mixing vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils sounds economical, right? But those fancy essential oils can be pricey, and replicating store-bought formulas for effectiveness often requires multiple ingredients. Plus, pre-made cleaners often have longer shelf lives and come in convenient packaging.

2. Concrete Countertops

The industrial chic of a concrete countertop is undeniable, but achieving that polished look at home requires a lot of materials – think bags of concrete mix, sealants, and specialty tools. Renting tools and dealing with the mess can quickly add up, and imperfections are a real possibility for DIY novices.

3. Upcycled Designer Knock-Offs

Spotting a designer bag at a thrift store and transforming it with paint or embellishments sounds like a steal. But glues and high-quality fabric paints can be expensive, and replicating intricate designs perfectly is a challenge. Sometimes, you might spend more on materials than a decent dupe of the original bag.

4. Artisan Bread at Home

Freshly baked bread is amazing, but sourcing specialty flours, grains, and a high-quality bread machine can put a dent in your wallet. Factor in the cost of trial and error attempts (burnt loaves, anyone?), and store-bought sourdough might suddenly seem like a bargain.

5. All-Natural Bath Bombs

Bath bombs are luxurious and fun, but those beautiful colors and enticing scents come at a cost. Natural ingredients like cocoa butter and essential oils are not cheap, and achieving an excellent, fizz-filled bath bomb takes practice. Drugstore bath bombs often offer a good balance of affordability and quality.

6. Custom-Crafted Jewelry

Creating your jewelry allows for personalization, but the cost of buying clasps, chains, unique beads, and quality findings can add up quickly. Especially for beginners, there’s a learning curve with tools and techniques, and mistakes can lead to wasted materials.

7. Designer Clothing Dupes

Woman doing sewing business — Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Sewing your clothes allows for an ideal fit and unique style. However, high-quality fabrics that mimic designer pieces can be expensive. Finding a basic pattern and using affordable materials might be a better option, or consider shopping sales for similar styles.

8. Framed Artwork

Creating your wall art can be fun, but good-quality canvases, paints, and frames can be surprisingly pricey. Popular online retailers offer a wide variety of framed artwork for reasonable prices, often including unique finds you wouldn’t be able to create yourself.

9. Organic Vegetable Gardens

While the idea of homegrown veggies is tempting, organic seeds and fertilizers can be expensive. Consider the cost of elevated garden beds, pest control options, and dealing with unpredictable weather. This can make grocery store organic options more budget-friendly, especially for beginners.

10. Reglazing Furniture

Giving old furniture a new lease on life with paint sounds economical. But high-quality primers, paints, and the tools needed for proper prep work can quickly add up. Sanding dust is messy, and skill is needed to achieve a correct finish; in some cases, hiring a professional refinishing service might be more suitable.

11. Homemade Phone Cases

Decorating your phone case with cute embellishments or decoupage seems like a fun way to personalize. But specialty glues, paints, and phone-safe glitters can be surprisingly pricey. A dropped phone can also ruin your creation, and a well-made store-bought case could provide better protection.

12. Personalized Party Decorations

Crafting custom banners, centerpieces, and decorations for a party sounds creative, but buying bulk supplies in specific colors and themes can be expensive. Factor in the time commitment of cutting, assembling, and potentially dealing with last-minute mishaps, and pre-made decorations might be less stressful and more affordable.

13. DIY Gift Baskets

Filling a basket with unique, homemade goodies sounds thoughtful. But buying individual ingredients for jams, bath salts, or candles can be pricier than buying them pre-made in bulk. Plus, fancy basket liners, ribbons, and packaging materials add to the cost. Consider a store-bought basket filled with gourmet treats for a more budget-friendly option.

14. Custom-Blended Pet Food

Whipping up a healthy pet food blend sounds awesome, but sourcing high-quality ingredients like vegetables and organic meats can be expensive. Ensuring a balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins and minerals requires research, and improper ratios could lead to health problems for your furry friend.

15. Framed Photos

Framed Record Album Covers — Photo Credit: Depositphotos.

Printing and framing your photos allows for personalization, but high-quality photo paper, ink cartridges, and good frames can be a hidden expense. Online printing services often offer competitive prices and a wider variety of frame styles, saving you time and money.