If you’ve searched for toolboxes to purchase, you have noticed that they’re insanely expensive. But the question is whether there is any reason behind this expensiveness. In short, why are tool boxes so expensive?
Toolboxes can be expensive as they are conveniently portable, sturdy, durable, and have brand value, which means people are willing to pay the price. However, there is more to it than the reasons mentioned above.
If you would like some more insights regarding this issue, make sure to read the whole article.
How Much Does A Good Tool Box Cost?
The starting price of a toolbox isn’t much. However, if you want to get a toolbox from a reputed brand, you may have to pay anywhere from $500 up to $5000 and more. Many people think that it’s not worth spending so much money on a toolbox.
But the real question here is, what are the reasons behind these toolboxes’ expensiveness? Some believe that toolboxes are only expensive because people are willing to pay that much money. Well, they’re not entirely wrong.
However, that’s not the sole reason. If you want to get a get quality toolbox that will not only be durable but also extremely functional, you will have to pay the price.
Why Are Tool Boxes So Expensive?
Now that you know the general price range of toolboxes, it’s time to get to the reasons. The following sections will explain all the reasons that make toolboxes so expensive.
1. Portable
Many people want their toolboxes to be portable. Portable toolboxes require extra detailing to install the features, which increases cost. So, if you need a portable toolbox, you may have to pay a higher price.
You can’t do all the work in a garage. The box will need to be relocated. So, some toolboxes either come with a handle or wheels to make them easy to move.
Note that even though the boxes are made with extra features to make them conveniently portable, they’re still very heavy. So, you will need to keep that in mind when getting a toolbox for your personal use.
2. Functionality
With toolboxes, the more compartments there are, the more functional it will be. Additional storage, along with drawers make the box convenient to organize. You can keep your tools separate by using different compartments if the box has more separate spaces.
However, making the structure complex with additional drawers and compartments adds extra cost to the manufacturing process. More materials and superior craftsmanship are required to produce that box.
Naturally, that means more expense for you. Simpler toolboxes with no exceptional structure won’t cost as much as other options. So, the user’s preference will play an important role in this case.
3. Durability
Durability is not only associated with how long the box lasts without breaking. There are multiple aspects to consider in this case. For instance, the tolerance level of the material in the outdoor environment is one of the most significant things to consider.
Resistance to tolerance is essential for toolboxes because you’ll be carrying it to different places, regardless of how the weather is.
Another thing is that a toolbox holds tools with sharp metal edges. So, if it’s not durable enough, it will get damaged sooner than expected. To make the box more durable, a higher cost is required, resulting in a higher price.
4. Stability
You must be thinking about what stability has got to do anything with a toolbox. Well, it’s extremely important when you’re going for a standalone toolbox. Smaller toolboxes won’t suffer much without this feature.
When large toolboxes are filled with heavy toolboxes, they’ll tip or wobble because of their weight. The box needs to be stable enough to protect the component inside the box.
However, making the box more stable only means strengthening the structure, which leads to more cost. And more cost means that the price will go up for the toolbox.
5. Industry-Grade Materials
As you can imagine, the quality of a toolbox depends a lot on its materials. When you’re paying a high price for a toolbox, you are guaranteed to get premium-quality materials.
The higher-quality materials you’re choosing for your toolbox, the more expensive they will be. There are cheaper options like wood and plastic. However, the best material for toolboxes is steel.
A steel box come with sturdy construction and a protective layer. So, in addition to lasting longer, the box also stays protected against corrosion and rust. Steel boxes also have high-quality locks and sliding mechanisms that ensure smooth operation.
If you are not after anything complex and want a straightforward toolbox for your home tools, you can get something a lot cheaper than steel toolboxes.
6. Brand Value
If you want your toolbox to live up to the expectation, it’s normal to choose a box from a reputed brand. The brand name also determines how much your toolbox will cost.
If you research the market, you will find that there are thousands of affordable options from brands no one has ever heard of. But getting a box from them will not be worth it because you’re not guaranteed to get the product they promise.
On the contrary, a reputed brand will always stand behind its products. If in any case, the product doesn’t meet your expectation, you can rely on the manufacturer to offer you a solution for the issue at hand.
7. Market Demand
I’ve discussed this earlier in a section. When people are willing to pay a certain price for a product, the brand simply takes advantage of it. Brands set a certain price due to their strong position in the market and customers support that price by buying the product.
This never-ending chain has a huge impact on keeping the price high. Even though some toolboxes are very high-quality, considering the materials and the features, they are still not worth the asked price.
However, this is not the case for every product. Some products do not have a very high-profit margin and are reasonable compared to the materials and features.
8. Protective Feature
A toolbox’s primary responsibility is to protect the inner components. If it’s a usual box, the tools will vibrate and move inside the box, causing them to damage. Features that keep the tools in place and protect them come at a cost.
For instance, the inner compartments can have rubber padding to make sure that the tools don’t get damaged inside when the box is moving. Cheaper boxes won’t have these features and you will hear the tools bumping into each other.
If you pay a few extra bucks for these protective features, the box will serve its purpose better. So, the extra money is well worth paying.
9. Security
Believe it or not, tools are one of the most common items that get stolen. Your toolbox can help in this matter. Some boxes come with special locking mechanisms that provide the tools with extra security.
There are different locking mechanisms available in toolboxes. You have to be cautious regarding this. Make sure that you choose a lock that is easy for you to access and hard for the thief.
Getting a locked toolbox will increase the cost, as expected. If you work in a shared space or have children at home, you may have to go with a locked box. That means paying some extra money.
10. Sealing Feature
A sealing feature isn’t mandatory to have. However, some toolboxes still offer this feature for people who need it. A toolbox with a sealing feature keeps water and moisture out.
This water-resistant feature is extremely helpful if you want to keep your tools from rusting. Even though you will have to pay extra for this feature, it’s well worth it. The tools will stay protected in the long run, regardless of the weather.
Are Tool Boxes Worth Buying?
It’s very difficult to answer whether toolboxes are worth buying or not. First of all, it entirely depends on your preference and frequency of using the tools. If you are a regular user of your tools, a toolbox will come in handy.
A high-quality toolbox will keep your tools protected and easy to access. Besides, if you’re going for a portable option, you can take your tools anywhere you want.
Another advantage of owning a toolbox is that all your tools stay in one place. So, when you’re working, they’re easily accessible. No one likes to search for their tools every time they get to work.
On the contrary, it may not be a good idea to spend a large amount of money on a toolbox if you need it for simple DIY projects. Homeowners with simple tools won’t require an expensive toolbox for their tools.
Another thing to keep in mind is the resell value of toolboxes. Even though you buy a toolbox for $5000, you won’t be able to sell it at a price that’s anywhere near it. So, before getting the box, make sure you absolutely want it and won’t regret the decision a few days later.
There are cheaper options out there if you want a toolbox but don’t want to spend a fortune on the box. Consider getting a plastic or wood toolbox for simpler tools.
How To Save Money On Tool Boxes?
The first thing to do is to determine what you want. Consider your tools and what you need to store them. This will give you the overall criteria of the toolbox you want.
The next thing to do is to search for toolboxes online. It’s always better to stick to a reputed brand if you want a guaranteed good box. However, if you don’t have a high budget, you can consider less popular brands.
After your search online, visit a few local shops to compare the prices. Select the platform with the lower price. That’s one way of saving money.
If you don’t own premium-quality tools, you can consider getting cheaper toolboxes that are made of plastic or wood. They’ll come a lot cheaper compared to steel toolboxes.
Last but not least, you can make your own toolbox to keep the tools safe and in one place. The raw materials required for this job will be a lot cheaper than a store-bought toolbox.
Are There Any Affordable Tool Boxes?
Even though most toolboxes are expensive, you can get some cheaper options too. There are a lot of brands that offer toolboxes under $300. These are suitable for people who don’t want high-end toolboxes.
Plastic and wood tool boxes cost nowhere near steel toolboxes. So, the answer is yes. There are affordable options you can go for.
Are Plastic Tool Boxes Good?
Plastic toolboxes are good enough for a lot of tools. However, they’re not as good as steel toolboxes, as you can guess. If you have precious tools to protect, it’s always better to go with a steel toolbox.
On the contrary, plastic toolboxes are sturdy enough for protecting most tools. Modern plastic is robust, durable, and stable. Another fascinating feature you will get with plastic boxes that you won’t get with steel boxes is the lightweight feature.
So, if you want a portable toolbox that’s easy to carry, a plastic toolbox will be the better choice. In comparison, if you want to keep your tools protected, the steel toolboxes will pass with flying colors compared to the plastic ones.
Final Verdict
So, the answer to why are tool boxes so expensive is a bit complicated. Sometimes the price is unnecessarily high and you have to decide whether you’re willing to pay that extra price for no reason or not. The simple equation for this matter is the tools’ quality. The higher quality they are, the better the toolbox will need to be. If you’re not willing to pay such a high price for a toolbox, there’s no reason to. You can always find cheaper alternatives for your tools.
Hi, I am Justin Messervy. I provide the necessary information on the tools you require to promote your business or to manufacture a good or product. For me, it all started when I realized the stress people go through to get things done, and this drove me to start writing about tools.