This article takes a four-foot masonry opening and breaks down the cost to properly flash the masonry opening versus random techniques performed by some estimators. 

The year was 1990 and for some points of reference:

1. People still sent letters.

2. If you were 30 years old, you could expect to be on the planet another 45 years (Life expectancy was 75.4 years).

In the service industry, people attempt to cheat on a regular basis. Homeowners do it by trying to short-pay a bill, tell white lies to tilt events to their favor, or make veiled attempts to obtain free services.