Paying for directory links?

I'm in the process of ranking a PPL website in the construction niche, and I was wondering if anyone has experience paying for directory links?

There are many high authority directory sites which charge $50+ for lifetime links?

Is this a better investment compared to buying PBN links for a few dollars?

From an article https://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2360254/is-that-directory-link-unnatural I find this video http://youtu.be/rKUlVquEImc of Matt cutts talks about some ways that you can identify whether a directory link is a good one. You can follow the links to identify link quality.

Actually in depends on the price/quality but in general that is not good at all (what do you think - how many external links do they've got?)
How much do you plan to pay?
Any example of such 'good' directory?

PPS Don't know what is 'better': to pay for directories or to get PBN's links.
In my opinion both ways are ridiculous if you're working under your own project.

Don't you want to establish a good link profile based not on what you found somewhere in Internet but actually based on your competitor's link profile, do you?

I would not pay for such links unless they have some really good metrics! You better find websites in your niche to advertise or get links on!

I guess this is not wise to waste money in directory links instead you can go authority PBN links as that will give some quality visitors to your sites.