For me this would depend on size and if it will be a keep sake....Longarm Quilting is so much faster and it is a nice job depending on what you want done to your quilt on the price...an overall pattern is much cheaper and just as nice....but if it's something special and you want extra stuff of course it would be higher....I send all mine to my Dad ...I think he does a fantasic job...as for losing a quilt....Please insure them...I know it can't take the place of losing a quilt but hopfully you can get enough money to do another one...and someome posted on here how to take a photo of your quilt for that reason...also there was a place for lost quilts on that site.....maybe it's on there...