Year of the Marine Mechanics

[Bullmoose]

This year I had to have a lower unit housing replaced on a Mariner 135. That repair took about seven weeks for the first mechanic to complete. The place of repair was done in the northwest part of the state. Now, I've got a Mariner 150 on a different boat with mechanic in the southern area of the state. This motor had a blown piston and needed a rebuild. This mechanic has been having my boat for 11 weeks now. Originally I was told that it would take about four weeks. Is this a normally how it is when motors a brought to shops to be worked on? If so, one would better off doing his own repairs if capable. What are Salty Cajuns' experiences?