When starting out, I did a 3-Tier Moog 104hp skiff build. At the time, it might have presented lower upfront cost, but with my planned build growth rate of only two years, I really only ate $775. Here's a breakdown:
Moog or Make Noise 104hp unpowered skiffs x 3 = $300
Moog 3-tier rack kit $70
uZeus power supplies x 3 = $255
uZeus Power adapters x3 = $105
Flying bus board cable expanders x 3 = $45
Completed Moog 3x104hp case build: $775
Cost of Pittsburgh Modular EP-420 case with clean, protected power and all required hardware: $849
I tore down that Moog build and am now gifting each 104hp powered skiff to friends getting into modular. It's nice to be able to do that, but I'm almost certain that at least one of them will do what I did. ;-) I'm reattaching the 3-tier metal frame to my two M32's and adding a DFAM, so using as originally intended.
Something I learned from folks here and MW: Have a good plan and make good use of it.