Surface-mount are actually easier to build, but for the size of the components. Many people have an unfounded fear of them, just like they fear winding toroids, which is the easiest thing in the world... Steve Weber released SMT kits and after building three, I find them easier than through-hole. Now if only my vision was as good as it used to be... But a good magnifying lens fixes that problem easily enough.
I hope Wayne reads this... I wish Elecraft would release an updated SMT K1 kit! It would be smaller and as good! Now that would be awesome. Something you can build, not just assemble. I don't even call them kits! For a kit to be a kit you need to place ans solder the components. The KX2 is great but it is very expensive and too much radio for a lot of applications. An SMT K1 would have a much lower current draw also. I believe they would sell, slowly at first, but once everyone figures out it itsn't that hard, they would go like hot cakes.
The only machine that could rival an SMT K1 right now is the Weber MTR4b, which unfortunately is not offered as a kit.
Elecraft no longer sells affordable transceivers, nothing below about $800, and that is very unfortunate. They have grown a lot and are forgetting their not-so-rich customers, that's a shame. They have to make profits of course, but ditching affordable kits isn't the way to sell more expensive ones in the future, IMHO...
Gil.