I usually do custom quilts only for family. But when it is outside the family I would be sure to get money up front and an amount I am comfortable with. It makes a difference if I WANT to make the pattern requested or if it is going to be a chore. I'm not in a business, but enjoy picking up jobs on the side. It pays me to do what I love and I can be fairly sure someone will love what I do. I recently did a custom job for a non-quilter that contacted our guild for help. Turns out she had no idea what she was asking and I had no idea what she wanted. We worked together to make an appliqued wedding quilt of her own design. It turned out gorgeous and she paid me handsomely for my efforts. Mostly I wanted to do it because I seen in her a kindred spirit--someone that wanted to do something nice for her kids.