Building your own rig can be cheaper, but only in specific cases, and it’s often less of a slam dunk than people make it sound. If you already have tools, enjoy DIY, and are willing to source aluminum profile, brackets, and hardware carefully, you can undercut a branded 8020 cockpit by maybe $100 to $200 while getting similar rigidity. The catch is time, trial and error, shipping costs on profile, and the lack of a refined design, accessories, or resale value that established rigs offer. For most people, especially anyone running stronger direct drive bases, a well-priced prebuilt aluminum profile cockpit ends up being better value overall because it just works, expands easily, and holds its value. DIY is worth it if you enjoy the process and want something custom, not purely as a money-saving move.