I consider myself to be reasonably good at woodwork and so a little while ago when I wanted a bookcase I thought I'd save some money and build my own. I was surprised to find out that I cannot buy and make a pine bookcase for less money than it costs to buy one ready made. I have the woodworking tools to hand but the cost of timber from the DIY store came to more than the cost of a similar sized, fully assembled bookcase delivered to my door.
Now I accept that 'my' bookcase can be custom built to be a perfect fit in the alcove where it is wanted, but when all the effort and time is taken into account it's not really worth the trouble. It's like buying a cooked chicken in the supermarket. I can't buy and cook a chicken for less money than buying one ready to eat!!!
