If you think you can build it for yourself, by all means do it if you have the time! I think it's fun, that's how I began this venture. Doing it myself. I've built many systems now and I can break down the cost of things for you.
I'm going to reference eBay and Amazon for most things. I'm sure some items can be found for less, it all depends on what your time is worth
I use some of my prices in this quote because I couldn't find a better price online for the exact same product.
Let's Start with the Kettle Assembly:
1-24QT Pot Bayou $53 Amazon
1-Nylon Bag $9.95 brausupply
1-Pump and electrical supply $50
40" silicone tubing $10 ($2.50 per ft.) brewers-hardware
4- Female SS QD to barb $12.38 Amazon (11.95 brausupply)
2- SS Male connects to 1/2" FPT $7.95 brausupply
1-element electrical enclosure and strain relief $20 brew hardware
1-power cord $7
1-NPS 1" Nut for element $5.48 Amazon
1- Silicone O-ring for element $8.90 (pack of 25)
1-Stainless Steel Non rusting 1500W Incoloy element ULWD with Stainless Base $39 brew hardware sells only the 2000W version. Brewha? $45
2- QD male connect to mpt thread $14.99 Amazon
1- Female Coupling 1/2" SS $5.17 Amazon
1- 1/2" Tee $5.95 Amazon
1- 2 piece full port ball valve SS $10.39 Amazon
2- Closed thread nipples SS $1.60 Amazon
1- stainless elbow 1/2" $2.61 Amazon
2- 1/2" locknut SS $4.95 Amazon
2- 1/2" silicone o-rings $0.81 (pack of 5)
2 Stainless Steel Washers 7/8" ID $1.95 AIHB
Total $346.66 plus you have to pay for shipping on multiple items from multiple sources. And you need to rent or buy 2 sizes of green lee hole punches and a step bit for stainless plus a tapping bit that's good for stainless also. And you need time, lots of it because you will be searching on the net for the best prices, who has cheaper shipping, I think you get the point.
Now for the controller.
The enclosure can be found at Auber Instruments, and of course so can the PID. I'm expecting my own custom enclosures very soon, and they will look slick.
1- Enclosure $28.15
1- PID with Timer $57.50
1- SSR 25A $7.43
1- Switch 20A $6.69 amazon
1- 6' 16/3 ext cord $8
2- pg11 cable gland $3.59 (5 pack) Amazon
1-mini buzzer $8.22 Auber
1-RTD-PT 100 Probe $35 brausupply
length of 16G wire around $10
Total $164.58
So, you can see the total cost of doing it yourself is $511.24 plus multiple shipping costs from your many sources.
I'm sure someone will discover that they could find this or that part for less, good for you. But the fact is it's going to set you back around $500 - $550 and a bunch of your time. There will be those who debate exactly how much time. Let's put it this way, if you are doing it yourself for the first time, bank on at least a day.
I didn't get into this to rip people off. I do it because I want to make it easier and I love brewing and sharing my knowledge. If you do want to do build it yourself, you definetely should. If you need help some direction along the way, contact me I'm always willing to point you in the right direction.
Soon I will post build instructions on my site also for the DIY people out there.
Sorry for this ultra long post, I just wanted to make crystal clear exactly how much this will actually set you back.