For those curious. My bill for my short block.

I can only guess what the same work would cost in SoCal. Maybe $5-6k?
There would be no complaint from me to be handed that bill. I've been gathering quotes for a 327 Chevy that I acquired in a hot rod. Not putting a Chevy back in it so I have no use for the SBC, but it's a fresh rebuild - never fired; everything is brand new - that got water in a few cylinders and will require it to go +.010" more and a new set of pistons/rings. It's already +.030 from the rebuild, and +.040 pistons for SBC are readily available....and cheap.

The only work I need done is bore/hone cylinders and knock the pistons off the rods and press the new set together. $600 for the rebore and $55 ea. for the rods....just that work alone is over 2 times more expensive in SoCal!