Fender repair?

If good used fenders are an option, no rust repair needed then it might be a little less labour. Bodywork would be the about the same,if its a complete paint job then paint is no difference. Welding in a patch and repairing internals will warrant fender removal.
Tough decision.
Could always sell the old fenders to recoup some money.

Depends on if you can even find "no rust" fenders to start with, and what they are priced at.
I didn`t want to pay $600 or more for a fender that needed work. I bought a lower rear patch panel for the pass. side front fender on my 68 barracuda, off ebay. I had to do some work on it to make it perfect for my body man , it turned out very well ! Only cost me $68 ----