What are the handling effects of converting a dihedral wing to polyhedral?
In terms of in-flight behavior, the biggest change between dihedral and polyhedral (or tip dihedral) with the same overall stability is more roll response for a given yaw input -- this occurs because yaw-induced roll is caused by the skid presenting the outside wing at a higher angle of attack than the inside, and this effect is both more pronounced, per area, with the sharper angle of a tip dihedral or polyhedral tip panel, and is applied further from the centerline, so has a longer lever arm.

I'd agree, however, with the advice in another answer, not to modify your first kit.  Build to plans and instructions.  If you want to compare, get the kit built and the model flying correctly, then either buy another kit or buy materials (make photocopies or scans of the ribs and tip plates) and build another wing -- then you can compare the in-flight behavior for yourself.