Very simple job to recap an HQ-129X. If the "local guy" is savvy on his
parts sources he should be able to buy all fresh caps (even custom made
multi-cap cans) for $25. I've recapped a '129X in a single evening...1 to 2
hours. The bigger question is will he also realign it? THAT can be where the
time starts piling up but it's an essential part because with new fresh
electrolytics and paper caps you are changing the dynamic parameters of
everything in the receiver. Also the high value resistors are probably way
out of tolerance by now and need to be checked, which doesn't mean checking
them with an ohmmeter cold; they often need to be warmed up to operating
temperature to see the effective resistance drift from their design
resistance.

The power cord project is a 5 minute job. Since the '129X is not an AC-DC
receiver make sure he replaces the power cord with a 3-wire.

There are a lot of guys out there who call themselves repairmen who are
actually just
cosmetologists. Making an old receiver "look good" is a very small part of
it and it would behoove
you to try to ascertain that this individual knows his stuff went he starts
dicing and slicing inside.

Good luck.

WA9VLK