No dude .. I don't think anybody said it would take years. Just tryin to let you know you're not gonna buy a welder and two days later be welding formula 1 chassis.
Take a class and by the time its over if you really put your mind to it and you pick it up at a normal pace, you should be able to weld pretty much anything you want, shy of tig welding titainium for the space shuttle ... two classes for that
Just don't get discouraged ... its like learning to ride a bike... first couple trys you'll feel really uncordinated and the welding will likely look like s*** then it will suddenly all fall into place and you'll be welding like a pro.
Prices i can't say for sure .. out here in Californy most any shop labor is from $30 an hour up ?