The consideration of a build

One of my ongoing projects is complete strip down of an old Schwinn Varsity. I'm in the ready for paint stage but due to the cold weather (ie. cold garage) I'm at a stand still. I recently thought about modernizing it and putting a lot of new parts on it. After doing some research I realized that the expense was not worth it. Plus I liked the idea of reusing all the old parts and keeping it original. The researching of components got me thinging about my new Surly LHT. What if I bought the frame and did a custom build? I could have a one off custom bike like no other. I could have all the pieces and parts that I wanted, not what Surly gave me on a complete bike. This is a bike I want for multiple uses, why not make it the best bike I can. At roughtly $1100 the LHT is bargain. There is some definite room for improvement on the components. SO why not spend $430 for the frame and maybe $1000 on the compoments. The frame is the main reason people buy a LHT anyway, not the components that come on it.
The decision to want to do a custom build is two fold. The first part I just explained, the bonus of better components. The second part is actually doing the build. That is where I an on the fence. It's easy to get the credit card out and go on a spending spree online buying pieces and parts. The hard part is actually installing the parts and making sure you buy the right parts. I addition to all the parts I'll buy some specialty tools that not everyone has in their tool box. Now grated I could pay more money and have a local bike shop help me pick everything out and put it all together. But what's the fun in that. I do most of the work on my bike anyway, so why not know how it all works. My plan would be to go into my LBS (local bike shop) and have them help me with the questions I have and maybe ever order some parts for me, but I'll do all the work myself. I may bring the bike back in to have my work looked over.
That is the decision I'm facing. We'll see where my research leads me.