If you are mainly doing one-offs, I'm not sure a pnp is really necesary. It's not that hard to place components as long as they are 0402 (imperial) or larger. I'm trying to move to 0603s and larger, personally.

Then again, my main project with SMT parts is the Signet and there are only like 15 or so components. Maybe a pnp would still make sense for big, complicated things, even if they are one-offs

The tedious part is applying solder paste without a stencil. A laser cutter might make it worth making a stencil for a prototype or one-off, but paying $7 for a stencil that is only gong to be used once, on a $3 board is cringe, IMO.