That’s about $200 per man, per day. I assume they are skilled, so, sounds about right, but would depend where you live. If they did a good job, I’d be happy to pay it. It sounds like your garage is much nicer and more functional.

I thought it was too much

Then why didn't you get a second bid?

This guy sounds shady. What does your contract say? You both should be sticking to it. The contractor for what work is to be completed, and you for what to pay. Any changes need to be re-agreed upon with an adendum. Looks like you chose the cheapest bid (perhaps other reasons besides price), and it seems you might have gotten the shadiest guy because of it. It sounds like $4k to 5k is the going rate for your area, so the price for the full work to be done sounds reasonable. Since he didnt do the job as discussed, he doesnt get paid until its done to the contract. Or fire him and get someone else to fix it. He took you, starting by not bidding the job correctly, and then raising his price. If there was no contract, he took you there too.

After supplying materials and covering their overhead costs, these guys aren't getting rich.

Looking at that picture, looks like the guy with the chop saw is Mexican, and I can see a Mexican child on the ladder (left hand side of picture). I doubt there's any written contract. I can't imagine a child on the job-site, and the liability if that kid gets hurt.

WTH Geoffrey??????

I'm in SoCal, too, and that was just a bizarre comment. You cannot possibly know or have any idea if a person of color is Mexican or anything else. There are people of all colors around here who are licensed AND unlicensed. I won't call people (or you) names, because it's not nice. But saying things like what you said *seems* like it's meant to insult and hurt others. We don't need to do that.

drywall in my area is 25/sq ft finished.