What you will find with the marine canvas and upholstery business in the lower mainland (and I presume elsewhere), is that there is an undersupply of workers and an abundance of work.
These guys are so busy right now that they really don't need any more jobs. When they don't need another job, they throw a stupid high number at the work. They don't care if they don't get it, but if they get it for the ridiculous number they quoted you then what the hell might as well take the work. (Think of some of the crazy construction quotes you've had in the past - same situation when you get a crazy number... the can't really do the work but if you bite on their crazy number they'll work the weekend or push another job off).
This has gone on for a while now, and when you need a top or upholstery, you need it. The ridiculous numbers have become the norm because people just hold their breath and say 'ok fine just do ti ugh.....'
Suggestion: Find a shop that isn't busy or hasn't been busy for too long. Find a way to bring them the pieces or the boat to make their lives easy where they can fit the job in during some downtime. Build a relationship with a yard that has lots of subcontractors on site (fibreglass team, canvas team, detail shop, etc all working in conjunction with the main mechanical and haul out service. Any of these will help your overall cost long term, both financial cost, and mental cost (pain and suffering).
