I've built all of my pattern planes, but it kills me to spend $100 on monokote to get the colors I need, when I know it's probably costing the manufacturer about 5 bucks to make a roll. To me it's not the building or kit costs, it's covering, glue, paint, wood that really add up. I take that back, I did have a Focus II last year. I'm pretty sure it was built as well as anything I can do. Even longevity wise. I saw no reason to think it wouldn't last. Of course, it wasn't $395 either.