Roadtripr

This week is bad. I lost my starter and while getting in repaired they noticed my freeze plug on the back of the engine is leaking coolant (no wonder my coolant was low). I got a quote for 6h of labor to replace a $3 plug - $400 labor!. Since the plug is located on the back of the engine, they have to remove the transmission to get to it. Is there no easier way to get to this stupid plug? What else should I get checked/replaced while the have the transmission out? - mainseal?
Any help is appreciated

(got no response in maintenance so I am posting here also)

Robinhood150

It's only been posted in maintenance for 2 hours. Either way, this belongs in maintenance.