Eh, I'm not sure building a stick is your low cost option. I've spent ~$80 so far on my hitbox like controller, and that was 15 buttons, wire, quick connects, pcb, usb passthru, 15' usb cable, and 1' usb cable. I've also dropped $30 on the drill bits because I opted for Sanwa buttons, so I got a 24mm and 30mm bit for the button holes. I'm having a friend build the box for me, and I expect to at least pay for materials if not give him something for his time. And then a bit more for someone to do some art for me, and there's some finishing details I'll need, like rubber feet, spary paint and maybe some molding.
On top of that, you'll have a stick, so add another $15 to 75 depending on what you get.
Lizard Lick seems to have good prices for buttons wires, usb, etc. The PCB you'll probably want to get from Toodles directly (
www.godlikecontrols.com).
Also, are you going for xbox or PS3, or a dual mod? Mine will be PS3/PC only, I could dual mod, but I'd need an xbox controller to caniablize, and another pcb or two (IMP to wire the xbox controller to the Chtualu, and maybe SOCD cleaning).
I'm not trying to discourage you, but I want to make sure you'll have a realistic idea of the cost.
I'm having fun so far, I did the button layout myself (I'll have buttons for directions like a hitbox, but the MK layout), and I'll be putting the buttons together with the PCB and applying the artwork. Hopefully it will turn out pretty nice.
Good luck!