700R4 Rebuild Costs?

[Droff]

I'm looking into a 700R4 to replace the 350 in my '68 GMC, finding used ones here and there for around $400-500, condition is usually 'operating fine when pulled' kind of thing. I see a lot of recommendations here for a few online sellers and also a few recommendations to use a local shop.

I called a local shop that I've dealt with many years ago and thought the owner was a good guy. An older (than me) gentleman that sounded like a muscle car type. Anyway, I got some prices from him and they sound on the high side to me, just looking for some comparisons if anyone has any.
$100 core charge (don't have a 700 but he'll knock $50 off for my 350)
$1100-1400 for the rebuild and me install (includes TV cable, dipstick tube, TQ, turbo(?) converter) From the way he sounded, all components to connect the 700 in place of the 350. He also stated he wanted to see and drive the truck after I installed the transmission to make sure the TV cable was correct. He did go through all the steps I've seen for installing this into my '68, crossmember, yoke, driveshaft etc., so sounds like he's done it many times before.
$500 for his installation (includes everything but cutting down the driveshaft).

So somewhere in the $2000-2200 range with me dropping it off - which is on the high end, per his words. I've never swapped out a transmission so there's a definite learning curve on my part regardless of it being 'easy', 'bolts right in', 'just drill two holes'...

Another local shop rebuild quoted a $150 core charge plus my 350 and then $800 for the rebuild (new shift kit and stock TQ)

Anyone pay a shop for his kind of work lately?
Thanks for your inputs.