Building a bunk bed is an easy project to tackle. It’s true that you will need to take your time and follow the instructions carefully, but it’s not so complicated that you can’t do it yourself. All you need is a few tools, some wood and screws, and a little bit of patience.
First, you’ll want to measure out how big you want your bed frame to be. You should make sure that it’s long enough for both mattresses, but also wide enough so that they won’t hit each other when they’re put together. You can use pencils or tape measures for this step.
Next, cut all of the pieces according to the sizes you’ve measured out. If you don’t have any power tools (like a table saw), then it might be best if someone else does this part for you.
Once all of your pieces are cut correctly, assemble them using glue or nails (depending on what kind of wood your using). Make sure everything fits together snugly before putting on any screws or nails though as these can cause cracks in your woodwork later on down the road if there’s not enough space between them for air circulation during dry seasons (which means lots of $$ for replacements).
A bunk bed is a smart choice for families trying to save space and money. But, if you’re not a carpenter, how much does it cost to build or buy a bunk bed? Here’s what you need to know about DIY costs, professional costs, and the materials involved in making sure your kids have the best sleepover setup ever.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Bunk Bed?
The cost to build a bunk bed is dependent on the materials used and the design of your chosen bunk bed. If you want to create a DIY project, you can purchase all of your materials from home improvement stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot. However, hiring professionals will be more expensive but may be worth it if you’re not sure about what kind of project to undertake.
A basic twin over twin bunk bed with wooden slats cost about $200 in materials (not including tools). This price includes:
- Bolts and screws for attaching the frame together
- Wooden slats for each mattress
- Mattress foam pads if needed
Cost Breakdown For Building A Bunk Bed
The cost of building a bunk bed depends on the type of bunk bed you want to build, the materials used, and the labor involved. The type of material that’s used for building a bunk bed can range from steel frames to wooden frames. Construction experts recommend using strong metals like steel frames because they are durable and sturdy. If you’re building your own bunk beds, then you may opt for wood instead since it comes in various sizes, shapes and colors. However, if you’re just looking for an affordable option then steel might be your best bet since it is readily available at any hardware store near your home or workplace.
Besides choosing between different kinds of materials such as metal or wood there are other factors affecting how much will be spent on building bunk beds such as labor costs – which includes tools needed for construction work; time spent working on them etcetera – these factors should all be considered when estimating total costs before making final calculations based on budget constraints set by each individual family member (if applicable).
DIY Costs
If you are the sort of person who would rather DIY than pay someone else to do it, this is a good thing. It’s true that DIYing a bunk bed can be more fun and less expensive than hiring an expert to do it.
But before you start slapping together some wooden planks, consider these facts:
- DIY costs are usually cheaper than professional costs because you don’t have to pay for labor. However, if your project requires tools or materials (like screws), then those costs can add up quickly.
- DIY projects typically take longer than professional projects because they require much more time and effort on your part; a professional construction worker will know exactly how to build something like this in far fewer hours than someone starting from nothing but plans downloaded off the internet—and they won’t need help finding every single one of their tools either.
Professional Costs
- Hire a carpenter. This can be the most expensive option, but it is also the most professional and reliable. You’ll need to find someone who is willing to build your bunk bed and has good reviews online. You will pay them by the hour and they may charge you for materials that they use in addition to their hourly rate.
- Buy wood from a hardware store or lumber yard and assemble the bed yourself with some help from friends or family members (or whoever has experience with carpentry). This way, you won’t have to hire anyone else at all. Just make sure you have enough time before your move-in date so that your new furniture is ready on time for moving day.
Materials and supplies
The cost of materials and supplies will vary depending on the size of your bunk bed, the quality and type of wood you choose to use, and the finish. In general, you can expect to spend between $300 and $1,000 on all the materials and supplies needed to build a bunk bed. You can break this down into three categories:
- The actual bunk beds themselves (which are usually optional)
- The mattress support
- Everything else needed for assembly
Labor costs
Labor costs will vary depending on the complexity of your bunk bed. If you are building it yourself, you can save money by doing the labor yourself. If you hire a contractor to build your bunk bed for you, then you will have to pay for labor.
Time required to build a bunk bed
Time required to build a bunk bed: As with any project, the time that it takes to build a bunk bed will vary based on the skill of the builder and the type of materials used. The most common materials are wood or metal.
If you are building your bunk bed out of wood, then it could take anywhere from one day to three days for an experienced carpenter and about two weeks for someone with no carpentry experience at all. If you’re using metal rods and slats instead, then it could take up to two days for an experienced carpenter and about five weeks for someone with no carpentry experience at all.
The cost to build a bunk bed varies upon the materials used
The cost to build a bunk bed varies based on the materials you choose, as well as the labor.
The price of materials can vary depending on the type of wood, metal or other material you use. For example, if you’re building your bed from oak (a hardwood) instead of pine (a softwood), it will be more expensive because it’s harder to work with and requires more skill from your contractor. Labor costs also vary depending on which style of bunk bed you choose to build: some styles require more complicated construction methods than others; for example, if you want a ladder going up one side instead of stairs that fold into each other like most bunks do when not being used, this will add time and expense onto your project because there are more steps involved in its construction process. The same goes for attaching guardrails—if they’re made out metal rather than wood they’ll be harder to attach securely without damaging any part of the frame structure itself during assembly/demolition times later down the road.
1. Type Of Bunk Bed
You have a choice between two types of bunk beds: metal and wood. Wood bunk beds are the most common type you’ll find, but they are also the most expensive option. These beds can be made from pine or other softwoods, which can be finished in any number of colors. Softwood is easy to work with and relatively cheap to obtain at local home improvement stores or lumber yards. In addition to being attractive due to their variety of colors, wood bunk beds are relatively easy to construct with basic tools like a saw and drill press—though it’s still advisable that an experienced carpenter help you build this type of bed if you’re new to carpentry projects.
The downside is that softwood is not very durable compared with other materials such as steel; while it may last longer than particleboard or plywood used in some lower-end models (such as those found at Walmart), it won’t last nearly as long as metal when exposed regularly over time outdoors (such as by kids jumping up against a wall supporting them).
2. Wood Or Metal
Wood is more durable and cheaper than metal. It’s also better for children, who may be more likely to hurt their bodies when they fall off a bunk bed. Metal is more expensive and less durable than wood, but it’s great for adults who want a portable bunk bed or just don’t have the space for one made of solid wood. Wood will last longer than metal if you take care of it properly, but metal can be bent out of shape if you’re not careful with it. If you’re looking for something that will last long-term in your home, go with a wooden frame; otherwise metal is probably your best bet.
3. Mattresses
Mattresses are an important part of any bedroom, but they can also be expensive. It’s a good idea to look into getting a memory foam mattress, which is not only more comfortable but also more supportive than a traditional spring mattress.
If you want to save money on your bedding and have a better night’s sleep, consider purchasing two twin mattresses instead of one double. Twin beds tend to be cheaper than their full or queen counterparts and are just as durable. It’s recommended that you buy the thickest possible mattress for safety reasons—remember, these will eventually be bunked together.
4. Bedding And Accessories
Bedding and accessories can cost anywhere from $100-$200. These items include:
- Bedding (mattress, box spring, pillows)
- Blanket/comforter set
- Sheets for the top bed including fitted sheet(s), flat sheet(s), pillowcases, etc.
The bedding and accessories are not included in the cost of building a bunk bed but they could add up to another $300 – $500 depending on how many sets you want to buy.
5. Stairs Or Ladders?
Stairs or ladders?
If you have the extra space and budget, a staircase is the way to go. It’s easy for younger children to use, and they can spend more time playing in their room instead of climbing up and down a ladder with each trip. For older kids who are transitioning out of cribs, however, a ladder is fine—and cheaper than stairs.
6. Build It Yourself, Have It Built, Or Buy Pre-Built?
- DIY
The best way to save money on bunk beds is to build them yourself. However, if you have no experience building furniture or have bad tools and space, this may be a tough task for you. If so, consider having the bunk beds built by professionals or buying pre-made ones from local stores like Walmart and Target.
- Have It Built
If you do not want to DIY but still want your kids’ bedroom furniture made for them by professionals, this option is perfect for those who live in small spaces or don’t have the time or skill set required to build their own bunk beds from scratch. The cost of hiring someone else will vary greatly depending on where they live (location) and who does it (contractor). You can expect anywhere from $500-$2k depending on how big/small your bed frame needs are as well as how much customization/precision work needs done before installation begins.
You can build or buy a bunk bed for about $500-$1000
The cost to build a bunk bed varies upon the materials used, but in general it will cost between $500 and $1000. This is because when building your own bunk bed, you can choose to use the most expensive materials available or the cheapest. Also, if you are looking for a specific type of bunk bed (for example, one that has stairs), then this may affect your budget as well.
The total price depends on what kind of wood you buy and how much of it you need. If all four posts are made from one piece of wood then there will be no splicing costs involved and therefore less money spent on tools such as glue guns or drills. However if they’re not made from single pieces then there will need to be extra costs involved with cutting bits off before being able to join them together again; this could mean even more money spent on things like sandpaper too.
If we were building our own bunks then I would choose red cedar over pine because red cedar has natural oils which make it resistant against insects such as termites so no need for chemicals like insecticides during construction time (which saves money). Plus since these fragrant woods aren’t naturally resistant against moisture they must be treated beforehand with preservatives before cutting any pieces off – again saving money by not needing anything else other than some stain remover if needed later down road (not too much work here either).
Conclusion
Bunk beds are a great choice for any family looking to save space, create more bedrooms or add an extra sleeping area. They are also a great option if you have children who want their own space but don’t have enough room in their rooms. Bunk beds come in many different styles and sizes so it’s important that you choose one that fits your needs and budget. If you want something more permanent or just can’t afford the cost of building your own bed then buying pre-made ones may be an option for you.
