My longarmer (rural NH) also charges $.015 per square inch (for edge to edge hand guided) with a minimum charge of $40.00. At that rate, with no minimum charge, a baby quilt would be $29 and a king size would be $175. She quilts full time and is outstanding at it.
I agree with the others who advised seeing examples of this quilter's work before having her do any work, and not just give her something to "see how it goes". She's charging roughly $.013 psi for a crib quilt and $.005 psi for a king size one. Hard to figure why such a great difference, and like dunster said, scary. Be sure to get a written agreement up front.
I just keep thinking..."if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is".
