If I could do it over again, I would have started with a kit first. But my skills were likely more limited than yours are. My first build looked more like a Picasso than a Collings....and I don't mean that in a good way.
As others have said, a kit will be very good quality if bought from LMII or Stew-Mac in particular, and you will likely have a much better outcome than doing from scratch. But it will be more of a clamping, gluing and finishing project.
Think about this though...get a kit, and then buy some cheaper un-milled materials as you go. Then try to replicate the individual parts to the best of your abilities. That way if the neck is just not carved right (for example), you use the kit neck.
I would be HIGHLY surprised that as an avid woodworker, you will only make one guitar. Whichever way you choose, I predict you posting here in 5 years about your 10th build. It's horribly addictive....fair warning.
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