Rant: Pre-cut kits are turning DIY into just assembly

I noticed my whole block seems to be building the same prefab shed from the big box store. Last month, three went up in a weekend, all identical. When I put in a patio, I mixed the concrete by hand and laid each stone unevenly on purpose. It has character. These kit things look sterile, like hospital furniture. People don't even own basic tools anymore, they just have a cordless drill for the screws. The fun was in figuring out the problems, not following a cartoon instruction sheet. We're losing the point of making something your own. If everything comes in a box, what's the difference between your house and a hotel room?

2 comments

2 Comments

linda36822h ago

But those kits get people started who otherwise wouldn't try at all. For a lot of folks with zero skills or time, following those instructions is how they learn the basics. It's still their hands building it, which beats buying it finished.

jennifere1822h ago

Kits are legit helpful for starting out. Did a coffee table kit last year. Taught me how joints fit together. Now I can eyeball measurements for simple repairs. That initial guided build makes later DIY less scary. You start with instructions, then trust your own skills.