18" × 18"
CEDAR PLANTER
DIY vs BUY — Wooden Planter Box
THE QUESTION
Can you actually save money building an approximately 18-inch square cedar planter yourself — or does buying one make more sense?
WHAT WE COMPARED
About $106 first-time checkout, with roughly $60 of material estimated to be used in one planter.
About $88 for a mainstream cedar planter and about $135 for a premium 18-inch cedar option.
Prices vary by location and date.
TIME
Estimated build time: 3–4 hours.
DIFFICULTY
Beginner+ with careful measuring, pre-drilling, squaring, and basic saw/drill use.
QUALITY
A careful DIY build can produce a strong cedar planter with control over material selection, finish, and assembly quality.
TOOLS REQUIRED
Primary tools: saw + drill. The complete guide also calls for a tape measure, square, pencil, sanding tool, staple gun, and scissors.
WHO SHOULD MAKE IT?
DIY becomes more attractive when you already own the tools, want control over the build, or plan to make several planters.
WHO SHOULD BUY IT?
If you only need one planter and would need to buy tools for the project, purchasing a finished planter can make more sense.
If you need one planter and do not own the tools, buying can make more sense. If you already own the tools — or plan to build several — DIY becomes much more attractive.
FREE BUILD GUIDE
The approved subscriber guide includes the verified cut list, low-waste cutting layout, Steps 1–9, drainage setup, top rim dimensions, and project review.
GET THE FREE BUILD GUIDEWATCH THE EPISODE
Embed Facebook or another public video here after publication.