I'm on a very fixed income. Money factors into everything I do and has for several decades. I was no longer able to buy kits so I started building from plans. Buying my wood in bulk from places like Lone Star and National comes out a lot cheaper plus I always have wood in stock in my shop.
This is a photo of my last summers build. Wood and plans, under $100.00 glass and the deft sanding lacquer just a couple of bucks. Paint {Latex} just a couple of bucks. I had the LG and canopy on hand so the price was zero but if I had to buy them {when I had to buy them} was under $50.00. Hardware was about $15.00. So, an 80 inch 1/4 scale Sukhoi 29 cost me under $200.00 to build. First one I built took me 6 weeks, this one 6 months. I no longer spend long hours in my shop, I have other things going on and this is just one of my hobbies.
I can't compare it to a RTF but I can compare it to an ARF. I still needed the engine and all gear. Servos can cost a big bunch, I had themn on hand though. RTF usually means a small little electric so there is no real way to compare.
I have no problem with ARFs other then they are not strong enough to put up with my flying. Compare this plane to an ARF of the same size and you are more in the relm of the real world.
Time spent in building this plane?? Who would I have to pay for all the pleasure I got out of it???