GTBradley,
Quote: "It just would be nice to know what experiences people have had with a shop that has not done a kit car before."
FWIW, I had my car done by the local "Vocational Training Center" where they teach body work and paint. That was 17 years ago and the paint still looks like the day they delivered it. I have received many comments on how great my paint looks at several shows, including the Huntington each Cruise-In and the [old] Knotts Berry AHA show.
So in answer to your original inquiry, I've had GREAT experience with someone who has never done one of these cars before (mine was the first one they did, they are still doing them for local builders).
Doc