I've built about 15 rods and you will not save money. But you are usually using better components and get exactly what you want. Labor wise they are time consuming unless you are very experienced. The first couple you do are a learning curve. A lot of technique details that need to be learned. If you want custom butt wraps you better have patience to start. Aside from my boat rods I only fish what I built for myself now though. Def satisfaction fishing what you built. First rod I built was a cheap Cabelas UL kit. That rod has caught more fish than I can count. Ugliest damn rod known to man.