Originally Posted by dutret

1) the vast majority of shops are staffed with incompentent or dishonest ****s. Unless you yourself are knowledgeable there is a reasonable chance you will be sent away with an improperly assembled or ill-fitting bike.
2) If you want to ride five minutes after you get it you will likely have to go to numerous shops, get a bike that is ill fitted or illsuited to your needs.
3) the expertise gained from building your own conversion saves you lots of money and hassle in the future. Why not obtain it right away. Same with tools
4) If you are going to "customize" it you need the tools anyway
5) Making a conversion != restoring anything. You just have to replace a wheel and maybe those parts that are meant to be periodically replaced.