Rincewind, I love your "fast and dirty" way of level building!
Don't get me wrong, I actually mean this absolutely positive!
Although it doesn't relate to, it reminds me to my teacher of the art lesson who said: Draw fast, don't try to make it precisely. You will do the same mistakes, precisely or fast, because there are mistakes that you _have_ to make - to get rid of them!
Your way of level building seems a good way for beginners and hobbiest (I know, it's because of a deeper wisdom, that you do it this way!)!