Building vs. Buying (Re: Savings)

[utmck]

What is the approximate percentage savings when building at TD vs when buying one?

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well from othher posts I've seen people say they have spent between $1500 to 2500 (some less some more). And it can be built to your specifications, colours etc. I see new ones running 5k and up. There is. Also the. Pride in doing it yourself.

Just my 2 cents

Deryk

[chorizon]

I spent about the same building vs. buying.

The quality of my trailer is way beyond what was available for the same price, though.

Plus, the cost was spread out over a couple of years...
...at least.

[doug hodder]

You get what you pay for. And, there are so many levels of build quality, Doug

[asianflava]

If you include the tools I "Had to have" then it probably cost me the same.

[asianflava]

If you include the tools I "Had to have", then it probably cost me the same.

[utmck]

So then am I reading this correctly, that there is NO cost savings to building it yourself????

If that is so then how are compaines like Two Guys making money.

I look at their top of the line TD and it costs approx. $9,000 - $10,000 and you guys are saying that if I built one that was the same dims and had the the same options that it would still cost me $9,000 - $10,000???

[3822sean]

for $9,000 to $10,000 you should be able to build 3 teardrops nicer than one you buy for the same money

[S. Heisley]

People often think that the building of a TD or TTT is about saving money but it isn't always just about that. Sometimes, it’s about having what you want. Most of these little home-built trailers are highly personalized and people are proud of their adaptations and clever ideas.

Also, please don't compare a self-built trailer to a used trailer because, with a used trailer, you don't always get what you're paying for. There could be hidden problems that you may not find until you get it home.

My personal opinion is, if you are handy and want a hobby, build. If you are extremely handy, you might consider buying used. If you aren't handy at all, consider settling for what you can get, new, for your money.

That said, people have built teardrops for, oh, say... $260(?) and as much as ...maybe....$5,000-$8,000(?). When you build, you are the 'boss' of your money and the time it takes to build it. You choose how much money to spend and how much effort to put in.

Please remember that teardrop manufacturers save money by building the same thing every time and by paying wholesale prices, not retail. When you're building the same trailer over and over, it gets quicker, easier, and less expensive for the builder as well. The manufacturer figures out how to cut costs and cut corners better and they have fewer mistakes and probably zero re-dos.

[Wolfscout]

also if you go buy yours at a dealer.. it's like a car. it can depreciate by 1000s of dollars soon as you take it off the lot.

depreciation is not nearly the same with a self-built.

[S. Heisley]

One more thing to consider: When you build, you know exactly what you've got; and, if you've done a good job, exactly how to modify it, should you want or need to, later. You also have a pretty good idea how to fix anything that might need fixing, when/if it ever happens to need it.

[asianflava]

When I built mine, I borrowed a few tools from a friend; router, table saw and a couple other things. I got mad at his tools and ended up buying my own with the features I wanted. I didn't have to do it, but I wanted to. I didn't have to dovetail my drawers, but I wanted to.

I'm figuring that it cost me 3-4K to build mine, I don't think you can find a new 5x10 for that much. I built it the way I wanted to the first time so it has everything I want.

[Alfred]

Hey all,

For me, the journey in building it was an invaluable experience. I had never built anything before. Folks from the T&TTT list offered much support. I learned to use a router, a skill saw, a jigsaw, electric drill, clamps and wood glue, a table saw, a chop saw, a random orbital sander, these are all tools I had to buy along the way, and learn to use them. Mine probably cost somewhere around 1500-2000, probably worth about that - But I would not have learned all I did. And I agree I paid for mine a little at a time, buying parts as a I needed them. A purchased camper would have been fun, too = and I would have been out in it sooner. Still, someone walks up to you and asks "Hey, you buit that?" you can answer "Yep"...and that's pretty cool!'

AL in Asheville

[utmck]

OK guys I understand the pride and satisfaction of buiding something. But my question was simply about "cost" not anything more.

So if "quality" and "amenities" are equal, is there a savings if you had built the TD vs buying the "same" TD.

I am not looking to find out how much someone spent on their TD, simply what you think the "percentage savings" were, if any.

Chuck

[Wolfscout]

the quality and amenities are not likely to be equal from what I saw in my shopping for what to buy or do.
They are built like mobile homes. They use the cheapest plastic parts and such that they can find to save money. It's not a You save money situation at all. Those parts have to be replaced and often if you don't upgrade them.

The quality for workmanship is haphazardly done, it's a produced item. In the US anymore quality is mostly unheard of. *sighs*.

Because of those things you can't exactly figure percentages because of the individuality of the various builds people do.

It's a choice you have to make based upon your ability and will power to get out and get it done.