block work prices

It's cheap IMO - but I live in the most expensive state in the Union.
In terms of what you're having done - the normal approach is to let the engine tell you what it needs. not you tell it...lol. As for my own builds - I always align hone the mains, I always square deck (not the same as decking and more $$), and I always internally balance which is not on your list, but if you need to bore it, it should be. Like RAMM I own my own torque plates but you have to pay them to install and buy gaskets. Typically my short block machining will run in the $1800 range.