Jen,
A front end rebuild is something that someone with some prior experience can do, depending on the extent of the rebuild. If one is truly rebuilding the front end, then you would need some expertise and special tools like a spring compressor IOT change some bushings on the lower control arm and track rod.
Generally, most people have to replace the lower ball joints which requires a press and the upper ones are pretyy simp[le and usually come with the upper control arm already pressed in. The bushings on the upper control arm inner portion are somple and can easily be replaced by you if you've wrenched before. The lower control arm inner bushing are able to be replaced by you but anly with good familiarity with the spring loading, as I was able to do them with little effort compared to the route some poeple take for safety reasons and then they get a spring compressor.
Some stuff I think you could do are upper control arms and bushings, track rod joints, steering shock and idler arm bushings. I think the most common things to go are lower ball joints and idler arm bushings, though, so at least uopu could do half.
I think shocks can last a very long time, and that time depends on the type of driving you do. I think you can get about 100k to 125k out of Bilstein HD shocks, which is what I like.
Some pople will say suspension work is very dangerous, which it can be, so be prepared for some discouragement, I say go for it!
Have fun, Adam Bush