I for the life of me can't see how that conclusion could be drawn from the prior replies to you making it.

The material costs are indeed higher, the CF, which has already been mentioned, but you need a lot less thickness with CF for equal stiffness, and the extra epoxy cost. There is no gel coat normally with CF. However the actual material costs are only a fraction of the total delivered price, and CF is way worth it weight wise, and does a better jib of retaining its shape in use, then FG/resins. Vacuum bagging any composite part is always preferred, but seldom done with FG. I would not toss the towel in so fast.