Passat Door Needs Body Work

Several days ago leaving work late and tired I hit a pillar in our company garage. The car is 1996 Passat TDI and the driver's door is damaged. Just slightly bent and scratched in the middle. All systems - window, locks mirrors etc. work fine. The estimate for the repair is about $1000 if outer door skin is available. I'm paying for the repair. My questions:

Having in mind the relatively minor damage, could the door be just fixed without being taken apart or replaced? Is outer door skin available for this car? If the entire door needs to be replaced what is the price of new door? Does $1000 seem right? I'm willing to pay $500 600 but this seems high. Could I buy new door, transfer all the equipment from the old one, install it on the car and take it to the shop to be painted? I have reasonably well equipped shop and factory manuals for this car but have never done that. Any pitfalls?

Thanks

D.

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DCM
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