400 block is it cheaper to buy stroker kit

i have a 400 block at the machine shop.i took him a 440 steel crank that i have .hes telling me it would be cheaper to buy stroker kit. is this true.i already have this crank .also can i use 440 rods or 400 thanks for info
It depends. a balance job can run upwards of 4-5 hundred bucks or more. Mine was 350, using stock rods and forged pistons. add that to the 75 bucks I paid for the crank, plus the 500 for the pistons, 150 for the rings, 100 for the rod bolts, another 75 for the rod bearings and you're at the cost of a stroker kit that comes already balanced.