For what it's worth, I recently got a quote of $600 to LA my king-size (120x120) quilt, custom. The backing is properly prepared and I'd even pieced the batting together. I'm still thinking about whether to go pick it up before she gets to it. I think it's too big for me to do a decent job on it myself, renting time on a LA machine at our LQS.
It must be sooooo discouraging to have your instructions ignored! Scary that it happens.