The DreamBox: DIY vs Pre-Built

The Original ScrapBox DreamBox: DIY vs Pre-Built. A comparison of what it’s like to assemble the DreamBox yourself vs. paying for the Pre-Built Service.

The Original ScrapBox DreamBox: DIY vs Pre-Built

A few weeks ago, I shared my full review of the DreamBox.

In that review, I told you that in December of 2016, I purchased the Workbox 2.0 by The Original ScrapBox with my own money. My husband and I assembled it from scratch (and we had to get it to the third floor of the home we lived in at that time)!

In December of 2019 (last month), the kind folks at Create Room offered to send me the DreamBox, with the Pre-Built service which runs $499.

So, I’m in a unique position to personally tell you the pros and cons of going the DIY route vs. paying for the Pre-Built service.

Spoiler Alert: Whichever route you go, you’ll be totally in love with your new DreamBox!

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Overview

Assembly is not necessarily hard but it is time-consuming. And it’s definitely a two-person job. My hubby and I did it together both times.

The DreamBox is very heavy. A dolly was super helpful to get it in the house. We own one but I’d rent or borrow one if you don’t.

With the Pre-Built, the pieces are heavier because they’re already together. The hubby and I got it in the house and up a few stairs with the dolly and no extra help but we both lift a lot of weights. His strength had a lot more to do with it than mine though, I’m sure. Ha! 😜

If you’re not fairly strong or if it needs to go on an upper level of your home, you’ll need to borrow a few neighbors or friends to get it in your house.

via GIPHY

DreamBox Delivery

It arrives in a huge, heavy crate (shown below) and it gets delivered curbside. This means they’ll literally drop it off at your curb.

If you get an “above and beyond” type of delivery guy like I did, he might put it in your garage for you, but no guarantees!

The delivery company will call you with the delivery day and time though, so you can be prepared.

DreamBox Assembly Time

This is the estimated assembly time for the DreamBox.

DIY: 4-8 hours
Pre-Built: 1-3 hours

The DreamBox takes less time to assemble than the Workbox 2.0 did by a few hours. It took us a good 10 hours to put together my Workbox 2.0 and at that time, I think they estimated the assembly time at 8-10 hours.

If you DIY it, I’d be prepared for it to take closer to the 8 hours which is solely assembly time. Organizing the DreamBox will take a few more hours, but that part is pretty fun!

With the pre-built option, we got my DreamBox inside and all set up within an hour or so, but organizing took me several more largely because I kept changing how I wanted to arrange it.

Bottom Line: If you want to save time, go for the Pre-Built. If you want to save money, go for the DIY.

DreamBox Assembly Difficulty

DIY: Moderate. If you can build IKEA furniture you can do it. It’s just on a much bigger scale.
Pre-Built: Easy. It comes in three main pieces, so you just attach them and put your shelves and bins in. You’ll also add your crown molding if you added that option. It attached easily with a few screws.

Bottom Line: If you’re fairly handy and have someone who’s willing to put in a full day’s work to help you build it, go for the DIY. If you hate building things, aren’t good at it, or don’t have someone available to help you for a full day, go for the Pre-Built option.