I don't have specific experience with this kit to offer, but I do have experience with the company. I didn't recognize the URL to start with, because the one they want you to start with is http://www.renwks.com, which is the one I know.
If you look elsewhere on the website, in the company history, you'll find that this company was (a couple of splits and acquisitions ago) the kit arm of the Early Music Shop. They've had their ups and downs in the last few years, much of which you can discern reading the company history pages. That said, over the years I've built a number of instrument kits that came from one version or another of this company; a consort of cornamuse, a trio of racketts, and several different percussion instruments. None of them are of the complexity of a hurdy gurdy, but in every case the instructions were clear and easy to follow, with good templates and specialist tools (quick -- how many of you have .3, .5, .7, 1.0, and 1.5 mm drill bits handy? :-) included. I've got friends that have successfully built their lute kit. If I were going to build another HG from a kit, I'd consider this one. But, like pretty much everyone else on the list, I wouldn't recommend building one as a way to get started inexpensively. -- Dennis Sherman Chicago, IL, USA
