Axe: taking it out and tearing it down is 'fun', just label all the parts and all will be fine. Locally the rate to put together the bottom end should not be but $175ish, worth that much in my opinion. Doing it yourself can be done but not sure I would try on the first motor and the DD. If I get to do another one I will put it together myself but only b/c it is not my DD now.

Who are you getting to do the machine work?

 

the teardown is easy. We did it at UTI with a GM 4.3 V6. putting together is a little tough because you gotta take lots of measurements before sending it off to the machine shop

 

I'm taking a GM engine class right now. If you're doing a stroker the assembly will be more than $175. Ive been quoted $300-500 for the assembly.
The tools required are more expensive than you will pay someone to do it. If you do it yourself you will learn A LOT.
I took the class to make sure I did it right. It's nice to be able to double check the machine shop and verify that all the parts you're using are right. Some machine shops don't check as much as you might think.