maybe. I've built a S & G from CLC for my first 'foray' - but have built strippers from plans, since. 'The Journey' is my pay-off - I enjoy cutting out the forms, doing my own strongback, finding my own wood/cedar etc. - but doubt very much it's cost - effective. I'm not building to save money, but for the process. And I doubt very much I'm finding wood better than what's in the kits. But that's likely secondary to where I live. Some folks are blessed living in the middle of supplies!