My apologies. I didn't read the original post as "newbie", but rather as "complaint department". I think, even in terms of the cheaper areas of the country (a land only of myth for those of us in CT) the price is good, including the labor to install and fire it. Plus, his ideas are spot on in terms of pretty much everything. So unless the guy can't execute well, you've got a reasonable cost and the right concept with him.
