I truely don't think that anyone could have a possible clue as to what it takes to build something like a bumper until they have actually done it. I was once skeptical of the cost of a fabbed bumper until like Jonesy, I built my half doors. One hundred hours later and hundreds of dollars in expendables, if it were not for the free welding supplies, and the free use of the paint booth it would have not been cost effective. I'm not sure that it was at this point. I have had quite a few offers to build half doors for folks and I can tell you I wouldn't touch it for less than $700.00 a pair. Do you realize just for one quality flap wheel, that might last you 15 minutes of grinding, it costs $8.00?
As for JoeD's quality, I have been running one of his front bumpers, which I nicknamed the minesweeper, and I can tell you the guy that pulled out in front of me sure wishes that I didn't have that bumper. I caved his vehicle and barely tweeked my bumper.
As for me though, I have always been a do it yourselfer. That's probably why I still have a D44 sitting in my garage that I have yet to swap in. I know there are folks that can help me with it, I know there are folks that I can pay to do it, but it just wouldn't be the same for me. Now that I know how to weld, if I got the tools and machinary to do it, then it isn't going on my rig unless it is from my hands. That's nothing against the guys that paid for their mods so don't take it personal. That's just the way I am. If you seen my enormous 308' do it yourself wall, you would know exactly what I'm talking about.