Actually, it can be quite nice. There's quite a bit to be said for structured building where people do the same task over and over. They get good at it and can do it much quicker than the person who builds a new kit every time. How good depends on the time tha manufacturer lets them take, the amount of training they get, and the materials they get to use. They also invest the time to make jigs for building and patterns for things like covering so complex designs are much easier than they would be for the individual builder.

For some people, building and covering are things they will just never excell at. ARFs make it possible for them to have a "nice" plane, that they can be proud of, at the field.