Web sites

Why is it some companies charge the earth for providing basic services?

I recently was approached by one of my private clients (an elderly gentleman) who wished to produce an on-line gallery for his paintings. Other designers had named fees well in excess of £1000.00 to produce a 7 page site which merely had scans of his paintings.

Completing the work took me no more than 2 hours and I agreed on a profit share arrangement for payment. Is it just me, or are techies getting a bit like plumbers and car mechanics?