Sand blasting and Powder coating How much should it cost

I want to get a few parts on my bike Powder coated. Like my engine guards, side seat rails, side covers and maybe the carb caps. But when I called up this place that is near by me they started discharge some shop rates that I thought were kind of high. $85 flat rate or for the first hour anything over will cost more. Also I believe there was a second charge for sand blasting. Also if I want to order a special color like gold they tack on $75 bucks.
So what is a fair rate for Sand blasting and Powder coating.

Take a look at this bike some guy fixed up in the UK. I want to do something simular with my bike to the side rails and side covers
Before

After

 

The prices quoted sound rather ordinary to me. Bear in mind that the rate your charged depends on a few factors. Environmental licencing is not cheap, Hazardous Waste disposal isn't either (that is what is left over after the operation), material costs are negligable, and then there is labor. All and all, it is a fair price. Powder coating is another issue where producing heat to cure it costs. Power isn't cheap anymore (unless their next door neighbor is a pottery kiln). I'd suck it up and pony up. Do what I did. Lay out the $250 to Harbor Freight for the blasting box, powder coating system, abrasives, respirator (the fine dust from both operations can be very toxic and cause nasty little problems in your lungs), and do it yourself. You'll have the pleasure of providing for your beast the work of your own hands, done the way you want, as often as you require. Not too bad if you look at all you want to do. Just remember to clean up after yourself and dispose of any wastes properly, Mother Nature has a very long memory (that's why the states are really chasing those dastardly waste dumpers). I love the pictures, did you get them from a friend? I would like to find out what they did with the old exhaust. I especially like the boots on the forks, did the same thing myself, cheap insurance against stone chips.

 

Yeah you’re right Robert, running a business has many expenses that must be paid. Rent, workers, machines, material and profit. So the rates seem fair. Not to bad if I can find a bunch of things to be done to cover the $85 flat rate.

Oh those pictures are from http://www.bikepics.com/members/oldonetusk/ I have never met this guy before but he seem to know what he is doing.

Here is a link a picture of my bike from last summer. http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/433931/

 

Like the seat, the reflector flash is an XJ favorite, but the joint on your exhaust to muffler is icky. I'm sure you can find plenty to powder coat on your machine. The local joint here is asking about $400 to powder coat my frame, forks and swingarm. And I'm thinking long and hard about it, decent price (they sandblast everything, mask and paint).

 

CT, I liked your old Avitar better. This one is so serious, why the change, closer to the real you?