I have done both, and these days I mostly build what pleases me, which I cannot get in a kit. However, I vote for a kit as a first effort, Lots of details are taken care of, such as screw size, lock placement and buttplate being the right size and shape for the stock. I would caution against the CVA kits, as they are a lower quality than others mentioned. Of those discussed, Chambers is better. As Zonie says, you will have to drill and tap lock and tang bolts, drill and countersink buttplate screws and such. I must caution that buying a kit where these holes are drilled and tapped, the parts must be in exactly the right place for these to fit. The two kit makers listed above provide US made parts, which are better quality than the imports, imho.