I couldn't find my dream bike (57 or 58cm Specialized Sequoia) and I couldn't afford custom, so I built my own. I think building my own ended up costing:

* Tubes, lugs, etc. purchased from old stock from the guy that helped me build the frame - $200
* "Lessons" in framebuilding at a ludicrously low hourly rate, including use of shop tools, torch, etc. - $400 total
* 5oz 56% silver (only used about half), a handful of files, flux, etc. - $175
* Paint - $200
* Lettering/decals - $15

Frame 2 ended up costing me more for lugs/tubes/braze-ons ($300), less for "lessons" because I did a lot more on my own, nothing for silver, flux, etc. because I already had it, and nothing for paint since I do my painter's web site. So, it probably cost me $500 for a completely unique and custom frame.

Pete