Unless you really want to learn how to build wheels then consider using that time to troll a bit on Craigslist and you can often do considerably better. I use Mavic Elites on both my bikes and they're $650 in the LBS but I picked up a set of 2 year old used silver set for $200 (sans skewers) and then more recently picked up a new 2009 black set with skewers and tires/tubes for $300. If you're going to try and build a comparable set of wheels I would seriously doubt you can even get the parts for that let alone start to factor in labor costs.

I do build my own bikes mind you but it's not only to save money, I think you can maintain a bike better yourself (assuming you aren't a pro and have a ten man team following you everywhere). I couldn't imagine having to take it to my LBS for adjustments to brakes/shifters/derailleurs etc. but for some stuff I don't have tools for (BB, headset) they do a good job.