Many DIY builders and some professional builders use homemade versions of the builder’s profile. These are usually made out of a piece of wood with the string line attached. With homemade versions there is still a need to keep checking throughout the building process that the wall is plumb and level with a spirit level.
Advantages
Homemade profiles are much cheaper, so if you only need the tool for a single project, the costs might not be justified.
Disadvantages
They may not be as sturdy as shop-bought builder’s profiles. Being made just from wood means that any tension or changes in weather conditions could cause it to move, making the line inaccurate.
Homemade versions cannot be attached to the wall base as securely as shop-bought profiles, again making them less accurate.
Unless the piece of wood is perfectly even and level on both sides, you cannot be sure that the measurements you obtain accurate.
Homemade versions are not generally designed to sustain wear and tear over and over again, so you may need a new homemade one for each project.
