I don't think the grind is too heavy here.
Every building game will have ressource collection, but it really comes down to: "Is it fun?" - And I can say that I do enjoy the collection as well as the building. I never felt like I had to force myself to farm mats at all.

Between boats, carts, monsters attacking, terrain and finding ressources in the first place, there is a very fun game loop to be had, that I don't consider a grind at all.

You can get by with VERY little stuff. If you want to build big, you need more obviously. But that is a personal tradeoff.
I am enjoying it.