It's time for me to face reality; I probably CAN'T build a quality cage for less than the pros making PVC cages (my favorite type). I have the know-how, but materials add up fast when you don't have at least a few things already on hand. They add up even faster when local glass cutters are expensive and you still have some key power tools to buy now that you can't borrow someone else's. I'll also never be able to make them lighter or faster than PVC makers unless I change materials and get specialty tools. That means for once it's time to suck it up and buy. I have a pair of PVC cages and the rest are tubs; I hate tubs. I want to be able to SEE my pets and not loom over them (personal choice).

I have two PVC cages already; one my reptile basics that sags/difficult to shut and one 2 door Boaphile that's going like new 10 years later.

I need to decide the following: Boaphile or Animal Plastics? Can I stack 3x2 cages on top of 4x2 cages? Do I need to save up and buy all the cages I'll need at once or is it equally cost effective to buy them one or two at a time? What cage size(s) are most versatile among common hobby snakes like ball pythons, ratsnakes, B. imperators, bullsnakes, etc?

All I know for myself at this moment is that I want my cages taller than 12 inches and that I am capable of routing out the ends and bolting them together if caging suddenly needs to expand.