I have a nicely equipped wood shop, but I am finding it very convenient to convert old cabs to MAME. You save money sometimes if you can find an old cab with some hardware included (marquee retainer, bezel, glass, coin door, brackets, CP, etc.)
If old cabs are hard to find in your area, then building one may be the way to go.
I suggest you find a place where you can work because even if you have the wood cut by someone else, you will still need to do messy stuff like routing, sanding, painting, drilling, etc.
If you are in an appartment, you could go outside and work. If you are in a house but have no room to work, you could go outside also.
Good luck.