If a couple of cars are in front of yours, it will be a great learning experience to view those as they progress. You will be amazed at how much you have learned by the time they get to your car. I waited 14 months for my '67 to get worked on. But by the time they were done with it, I loved it. The shop had no problem with me stopping by two or three times a day to take pictures, ask (or answer) questions, etc.

I used to do stuff like that for a hobby, but no time for it now so I hired it out. There are a ton of in-progress shots on my photobucket.

If you are hiring out the bodywork, it's highly unlikely you will have any orange-peel issues. If there are issues with the cars in front of yours, I'd look elsewhere while you still have time.