Cost Comparison - Buying vs. Renting LEGO Sets for a Year

For LEGO enthusiasts, the financial impact of the hobby can be significant. Premium sets frequently cost $100-$700 each, and active builders might purchase multiple sets annually. BrickDrop's rental service offers an alternative approach that can dramatically reduce costs while potentially increasing the number and variety of building experiences.

This analysis provides a detailed cost comparison between traditional purchasing and the rental model, helping builders make informed decisions about the most financially efficient way to enjoy LEGO.

The Financial Reality of LEGO Collecting

Investment Considerations

Traditional LEGO purchasing involves several cost factors:

• Initial Purchase: The upfront cost of sets
• Display Solutions: Shelving, cases, and protection (often overlooked in budgeting)
• Storage Requirements: Containers and space for disassembled sets
• Opportunity Cost: Money tied up in sets rather than other investments
• Resale Considerations: Potential return on investment if sets are later sold

Price Points Across Set Categories

LEGO sets span a wide price range:

• Small Sets: $20-$50 (typically 100-300 pieces)
• Medium Sets: $50-$150 (typically 300-800 pieces)
• Large Sets: $150-$300 (typically 800-2,000 pieces)
• Premium Sets: $300-$700+ (typically 2,000+ pieces)

Annual Cost Scenarios: Purchase vs. Rental

Let's examine three typical builder profiles and compare their annual costs:

Scenario 1: The Casual Builder

Traditional Purchase Approach:

• 6 small sets ($30 average): $180
• 3 medium sets ($80 average): $240
• 1 large set ($180 average): $180
• Annual Total: $600

BrickDrop Rental Approach:

• Brick Lite Plan ($40/month): $359 annually
• Access to 12 sets throughout the year (value up to $2,100)
• Annual Savings: $240.12
• Building Experiences: 12 vs. 10 with purchasing

Scenario 2: The Enthusiast Builder

Traditional Purchase Approach:

• 6 medium sets ($100 average): $600
• 4 large sets ($200 average): $800
• 1 premium set ($400 average): $400
• Annual Total: $1,800

BrickDrop Rental Approach:

• Brick Explorer Plan ($60/month): $599 annually
• Access to 12 sets throughout the year (value up to $3,900)
• Annual Savings: $1,200.12
• Building Experiences: 12 vs. 11 with purchasing

Scenario 3: The Premium Builder

Traditional Purchase Approach:

• 3 large sets ($250 average): $750
• 2 premium sets ($500 average): $1,000
• 1 ultimate premium set ($700 average): $700
• Annual Total: $2,450

BrickDrop Rental Approach:

• Brick Legend Plan ($100/month): $1,199.88 annually
• Access to 12 sets throughout the year (value up to $7,800)
• Annual Savings: $1,250.12
• Building Experiences: 12 vs. 6 with purchasing

Real-World Cost Comparison: Premium Set Experience

Let's examine the financial implications of experiencing three of LEGO's most sought-after premium sets:

LEGO Titanic

Purchase Approach:

• Purchase Price: $679.99
• Display Case (optional): $150-$200
• Total Investment: $829.99-$879.99
• Building Experience: One-time

Rental Approach:

• Brick Legend Plan for 1 month: $100
• Building Experience: Complete
• Savings: $580-$780
• Return on Investment: Experience the complete build for 12-15% of the purchase cost

Rent the LEGO Titanic

LEGO Eiffel Tower

Purchase Approach:

• Purchase Price: $629.99
• Display Requirements (specialized due to height): $100-$150
• Total Investment: $729.99-$779.99
• Building Experience: One-time

Rental Approach:

• Brick Legend Plan for 1 month: $100
• Building Experience: Complete
• Savings: $530-$680
• Return on Investment: Experience the complete build for 13-16% of the purchase cost

LEGO Concorde

Purchase Approach:

• Purchase Price: $199.99
• Display Solution: $50-$100
• Total Investment: $249.99-$299.99
• Building Experience: One-time

Rental Approach:

• Brick Expert Plan for 1 month: $80
• Building Experience: Complete
• Savings: $180-$230
• Return on Investment: Experience the complete build for 23-28% of the purchase cost

Rent the LEGO Concorde

Cost-Benefit Analysis: Building Experiences Per Dollar

Let's calculate the efficiency of each approach in terms of building experiences per dollar spent:

Purchase Model Efficiency

• Casual Builder: 10 builds / $600 = $60 per building experience
• Enthusiast Builder: 11 builds / $1,800 = $163.64 per building experience
• Premium Builder: 6 builds / $2,450 = $408.33 per building experience

Rental Model Efficiency

• Brick Lite Plan: 12 builds / $359 = $40 per building experience
• Brick Explorer Plan: 12 builds / $599 = $60 per building experience
• Brick Legend Plan: 12 builds / $1,199.88 = $100 per building experience

The rental model provides significantly more cost-efficient building experiences across all builder profiles, with the efficiency advantage increasing dramatically for premium sets.

Additional Financial Considerations

Hidden Costs of Ownership

Several factors affect the true cost of LEGO ownership:

• Storage Space: Home square footage allocated to LEGO storage has real estate value
• Maintenance: Dusting, cleaning, and upkeep of displayed sets
• Insurance: Valuable collections may require additional coverage
• Moving Costs: Transporting large collections during relocation
• Family Impact: Potential conflicts over space allocation in shared homes

Hybrid Approach Value Analysis

Many builders adopt a hybrid strategy, combining purchase of favorite sets with rental of others:

• Purchase Beloved Sets: Invest in sets with personal significance or display priority
• Rent to Preview: Try sets before deciding on purchase
• Rent Large/Seasonal Sets: Experience space-intensive or seasonally-relevant sets temporarily
• Own Core Collection: Maintain a modest permanent collection of favorite sets

This approach often represents the best financial balance, maximizing building experiences while minimizing costs.

BrickDrop's Flexible Plans

Our rental plans are designed to match different building patterns and budgets:

• Brick Lite Plan: $40/month ($359/year) - Sets valued up to $175
• Brick Explorer Plan: $60/month ($599/year) - Sets valued up to $325
• Brick Expert Plan: $80/month ($839/year) - Sets valued up to $475
• Brick Legend Plan: $100/month ($1,199.88/year) - Sets valued up to $650+

All plans include free shipping both ways and flexible rental periods. Additional discounts are available with quarterly or annual payment options. Visit our pricing page for current details.

Financial Optimization Strategies

Maximizing Rental Value

Get the most from your rental subscription:

1. Plan Building Schedule: Coordinate returns and new rentals to minimize downtime
2. Size Optimization: Select sets that maximize value within your plan's limits
3. Seasonal Planning: Rent holiday-themed sets during relevant periods
4. Building Time Management: Schedule dedicated building time to complete sets efficiently
5. Documentation: Photograph completed builds to maintain a virtual collection

Smart Purchasing Decisions

If you choose to purchase sets in addition to renting:

1. Rent First: Test sets through rental before committing to purchase
2. Invest Selectively: Purchase only sets with long-term personal significance
3. Watch for Sales: Buy during major retailer discounts if purchasing is preferred
4. Consider Resale Value: If collecting as investment, research historical value trends
5. Display Planning: Only purchase sets you have permanent display space for

Conclusion: Financial Intelligence in LEGO Enjoyment

The financial analysis clearly demonstrates that for most builders, the rental model offers significant cost advantages while potentially increasing the number and variety of building experiences. The savings are most dramatic for premium sets and active builders who enjoy multiple sets annually.

A rental-based approach to LEGO building allows enthusiasts to:

• Experience 2-3 times more sets within the same annual budget
• Access premium sets that might otherwise be financially out of reach
• Eliminate storage and display concerns from the financial equation
• Enjoy greater variety and more frequent new building experiences

Whether you're a casual builder looking to maximize your LEGO budget or an enthusiast wanting to experience the most impressive sets without breaking the bank, BrickDrop's rental model offers a financially intelligent alternative to traditional purchasing.

By focusing on the experience rather than ownership, you can dramatically reduce your LEGO spending while potentially increasing your building enjoyment—a win-win approach for budget-conscious builders.