it's not really that complicate. If you had wood work experience it'll go a long ways.

As state the grain of the wood must be facing in the proper direction.

Also the types of wood for types of parts. Birch for the spar. you can even use dowls for the leading edge

It's probably better if you get a kit first. This way you'll have a general idea of how an R/C plane is built.
Different ways to mount shear web

It'll cuase you more to build now a day than to buy an arf.
But if you crash it...you'll know how to repair it and have all the tools, left over covering. And you'll know where the weak pionts
of models are at.

Right around $150-$200 depending what kit and covering material for a .40-.60 just for the model, glue, heat gun, iron...ect.

it's even more expensive if you scratch build if you don't know what parts to order....not so much for the wood, but all those trips you'll make to the LHS
for those nik nak parts that'll add up.