The only advice I have is if you're making you own poles spend the extra $20 or whatever to have a good metal "sleeve" for joining your main beam. We didn't, last year (our first with the pavillion) and that's really the only regret I've had so far. Otherwise making you own poles is really no big deal, and you save a lot. Oh, and get good rope. As to groundcloth, so far we've just used a small tarp under or air mattress; with a good bedframe, groundcloth may not be needed at all, it more just a 'comfort on bare feet' thing.