I have gotten to where I really don't feel like building much anymore. I think the quality of most ARFs are not bad (I like the 3DHobbyshop and Extreme Flight planes) but there always seems to be things I will change because I don't like something. For instance, for any control surface with lots of deflection (3D planes, smaller ones) I don't like to use CA hinges since it robs torque just to bend the hinges. For the larger planes, I prefer flat hinges over the Robart style, since there is more glue surface in contact with the wood. Sometimes I will change the control linkage setups as well. For instance, I just put together a plane that was setup for flaps and I moved the horn location on the flaps. They were in a good location if they had been ailerons, but the wrong location for a surface that only deflects in one direction. I had to add plywood plates in order to do this.

Even with the problems I find with ARFs, I still find it is easier in most cases to start with an ARF and make changes.