Malcom
You are quite right about the £1000+ being exccesive just to cover certification however I whould think this is not the whole picture.
We are now seeing the "Ryanair" style of pricing creeping into aircraft maintenance, one well known flight training company has used this policy for years to get new people locked into the system before they know that better all inclusive deals are avalable .
To make the quote look good the very lowest price is quoted for the major work (in this case the paint job) but look at the small print and you find that other work that is not strictly part of the major work but required is not included but has to be paid for.
The problem is that customers will jump at the lowest price without reading the small print or asking questions, the internet has made all consumers instant experts and is forcing companys who would like to offer a fully inclusive price reluctant to do so because they will undercut by a headline price with a sting in the tail.
This practice is not dishonest (just a bit sharp!) but just like flying with a low cost airline leaves you a bit miffed when you find that the cost city centre to city centre once all the "extra" charges for bags,taxes,busses, check in Ect are included and it becomes apparent that you could have flown to an airport that was near the destination with a "real" airline that offers a quality service for the same inclusive price.