That is a question that we hear alot.The answer might even suprise you.There are many factors besides just the price of paint and the related materials used on the car.The shop has a hazardous waste removal service, they have to be able to pay competitive wages to retain good employees, those employees have to be trained and certified to perform the proper repairs on your car.The shop also stands behind their repairs with some sort of guarantee.Some shops offer a lifetime warranty on parts and labor, while the paint companies offer lifetime warranty on their products.The shops work off of a labor rate current with industry standards for that particular region, which are established by the insurance companies.The next time you think your estimate is too high, just remember that there is alot more going into that job than just the paint.