splicing fiber is actually quite time intensive if done correctly, and probably wasn't a cheap task for hitech to pull off. I'm glad he's on top of things!
Based on this comment, I'm pretty sure you haven't used a modern fusion splicer or mechanical fiber splice. It's right quick unless you're doing hundreds of connections. I could splice the connections to HiTechs house in probably 5 minutes tops with a fusion splicer and maybe double that with a mechanical splice. When I was doing it we averaged less then 2 minutes per strand working solo or less then 1 minute per strand with 2 people. The mechanical splices take longer because they have longer prep time.
The thing that would have taking the longest amount of time would have been locating the strands with a VFL. You'd have to go to the connection end point and put the VFL on it and then go back to the break and located the matching strands. Even if you had to splice in a new piece of fiber between the break points you're looking at less then 10 minutes with a fusion splicer and maybe 15 minutes for mechanical splices.
