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Have had two frames renovated by Argos in the past 12 months. Can't recommend them highly enough. Both had additional braze-ons, drop-outs re-spaced and decals supplied. Not cheap but perfectly done and finishes have stood up well to daily use.
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I have had the same dilemma with a couple of recent builds. I looked for a modern sealed BB with a 114.5mm axle and steel cups, having had previous bad experiences with alloy cups fused to steel BB shells. In the end it was easier to source original used Campag units. I found 2 NR BB sets at the last Ripley jumble for £15 and £22 in used but perfectly good condition. The online vintage parts dealers sell for £35-45. If you've got the time and patience it's definitely worth looking for the individual component parts on eBay; cups, lock rings and axles regularly sell for under £10 but, as you point out, prices for complete BB sets tend to be a bit salty. Hope this helps. Good luck with your build.
I've recently started using graphite grease for anti- seize applications: seat posts, stems & BBs. It's waterproof, heat- resistant and is inert with the more exotic alloys (i think copper grease might react with magnesium alloy ?). Try it out......... Cheaper than Copa-slip and available from gun shops (used by gunsmiths apparently).