Problem with head - quote too high?

Update from:

http://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/pmg3j/car_wont_start_battery_appears_fine/

Kept happening with a new symptom. I'd randomly be completely out of coolant within 24 hours. Took it to the shop. They said it was a hose problem. Check engine light was a generic misfire they couldn't replicate. Happened again last night. Would not start for anything. I pulled the fuse for the fuel pump and dry cranked it for 45 seconds, let it sit for an hour and then put the fuse back in and tried again. It actually tried to turn for a second and then gave up. Still wouldn't start. Finally had it towed to a different shop this morning. They just called and gave a diagnosis that actually makes sense. Somehow, coolant is leaking into the head and filling the cylinders. Pistons can't compress a liquid, car won't start and there's no antifreeze. They want to disassemble and send the head to a machine shop for repair. (they didn't say they saw any cracks) They're quoting at least $1,800 and a week's time to repair. I just had a kid three days ago. We don't have enough money to pay bills while my wife's on maternity leave as it is, let alone with 2k in repair bills. Is that quote fair, or should I shop around?