All depends what the work is doesn't it? If someone charges you a grand to paint a normal 4 m2 internal wall with standard dulux paint, that would be taking the piss.
Work in the construction industry tendering projects and have done lots of work on own houses also and you get all sorts.
Anglian homes tried to charge me 16k for a 2m x 2.5m set of bifolds the other day which is ludicrous. Unfortunately I think there's people out there that do pay it though as dont know any better (and hence why their price point is at that level)
Of course there's tons of good people out there, I'm not saying there isn't. Just saying there's some people out there that effectively con people for the work they're doing / do