Once again, I don't proclaim to be a "MASTER" in css / xhtml but, I definetely know the advantages.

Those companies that don't use this form of design and coding are only hurting themselves in the long run. They need to invest the time to learn this way of doing things and someday, they will have to, to remain competitive.

It's kind of like used car sales, back in the day, salesmen could sell just about anything to anyone, times have changed, people are buying smarter.

Just as in used cars, people will eventually catch on to this form of design and it will eventually become common knowledge.

Though still, it is a shame that a lot of business out there is web re-design... rather than web design. I quit working for a company a year ago who was one of these "buzz word" businesses. Unfortunately, I picked up a lot of bad habits from working for these people.

The last year I've pretty much been trying to pick up the pieces and re-learn the business of web design. I want to freelance a bit until I find a decent company to work for. If they exist...

There is no way that site is worth $8,000.

Granted, im sure much time was spent on developing the layout and adding content, but you can't charge an exorbitant amount of money for an outdated looking and error prone site.

If the client agreed to pay you by the hour, and you seriously deem that you have done $8,000 hours worth of work then I guess you could ask for that much. However, if you are left to assign a blank fee to the site, then please make it much more reasonable then $8,000.

Try lowering it down by 90% to $800.