Hi, it is quite time consuming 4 to 5 days or more, specially the cleaning part and a good good set of milimetric tools, the locking mechanism for the camshaft (you can build one), a good camera and from time to time the help of a second person, and myturbodisel faq pages, etc.
Unfortunatly previous owner never had any maintenance in 10 years you you can imagine how much dirt I found everywhere. I decided to remove the complete head and clean excess of piston and valve shoot along with the turbo, timing belt replacement and water pump and vacuum hoses filters etc.
I have spend around 500 usd so far, and a lot of time, about 30 working hours. I am just waiting for the timing belt to arrive, from USA (funny but there are not diesel timing belts in the whole country of Mexico, even though the car was made in Puebla Mexico VW plant)
I would estimate a work like this at your friendly mechanic shop woud end up costing between at least 1500 to 2000 usd, so there is good savings here.