If you drop the Venerri real seat and settle for a less expensive one, but just as functional, you should be able to build nice rod for your $$ target or less. Basically you can add about $50 to the cost of the blank to cover all the hardware and reel seat. If you are really frugal you can do it for less than that. That does not include thread, or glues which will make more than one rod. Allyn