first find out how many LA quilter's are in that area, call them and find out what they charge and what their turn around time...then find a show where you can take a class and use their machine to do your own quilting...then in say 2-3 years, if you have the drive, experience and money, you might give another looksie to see how things have changed in that time frame..as in how many LA quilter's are there now..more or less of them?? cost of doing quilting has it gone up or down...
Then ask yourself this most important question...in today's economy, can YOU afford to spend $1,000 to have one quilt made???