An established skill is worth money. Tools and overhead cost money. He has bills to pay too, and if you aren't paying him $25, he is better off spending that time installing new kitchen cabinets for someone; that's his living. I was paying $25/hr. fifteen years ago in the Midwest, and still considered it a deal. That carpenter was worth it. Cost of living is higher now, and wages have been stagnant for about 20 years!

Only way you are going to get more for your money is to find someone who specializes in what you want, and can therefore produce them factory style very efficiently. Custom made is different.