Allow me to disagree. If you're able to build thru-hole, you'd be able to succesfully build SMD. You just need a different set of tools, namely a very thin soldering iron - I prefer a needle - thin wire, some flux and a magnifying glass to get you started. I've used a hot air station solely for soldering QFN packages, but anything down to 0604 size is perfectly doable by hand.
If you have a Turing Machine, grab a Pulses expander kit: ideal to start building SMD! There's many others available which aren't hard at all (NLC, Beers to name a few).
I'm only capable of thru-hole DIY builds so unless, like with Sloths, I got someone to build me something most of the NLC stuff is off-limits to me.
-- wishbonebrewery