I think both using a website builder and creating a website manually have their advantages and disadvantages.
If you code it manually, you will have the total control over the code of your website, but you will spend too much time working on it instead of dealing with other current tasks.
With website builders, you can create a website as quickly and conveniently as possible. Some website builders give you the opportunity to edit your code and modify your website visually (see, Mobirise: https://mobirise.com/). Some of them are completely free.
So, my recommendation is to use a website builder: there will be no waste of time and money.