If the car is on a lift, they can drop the drivers side of the subframe and easily pull the tranny out. I wouldn't imagine it would cost *that* much... but then again, they usually go by the books, which have more novice-like billable hours.
Doesn't even need a lift. Livin and I can drop a trans through the subframe in under 2 hours if no subframe bolts strip out, rear nuts spinning is not problem.