Originally Posted by Peckish

I agree, rates will be different in different regions. I recommend asking around at your local guild and quilt shops for recommendations.

I do professional, show-quality bindings. I charge $.25 per inch for straight binding and $.40 per inch for scalloped binding. Price includes EVERYTHING - you give me your quilted top and your binding fabric, and I do all the rest: trim the quilt if needed; cut & assemble binding; sew binding on to front by machine; hand-sew to back.

In the past, I have agreed to a discounted rate for people who would machine-sew the binding on themselves to save money, but I have discontinued that practice. Too many times I ran into major problems that became quality control issues: uneven seam allowance when sewing binding on, which results in the binding being different widths. Straight seams instead of diagonal seams in the binding, which results in lumps. One customer didn't sew her binding strips together, she simply folded them over. Some bindings were stretched as they were sewn on, which results in puckers. Same goes for quilts - if the quilt is stretched, then the binding ends up wavy. I will only put my name on quality bindings, so I always removed the binding and/or resolved whatever issue the quilt had, at my own personal cost. I refuse to give myself those headaches any more.

I have pictures of quilts I've bound, both for customers and myself, on my blog and available via email for potential customers to view. I also have samples that customers can look at and touch in the local quilt shops in my area, along with references. My best reference is the owner of one of my local quilt shops. She sends me both her shop samples and her personal quilts to bind.

When I give a quote to a customer, I measure all four sides of the quilt (in case it's not square), then send them the quote in writing. I request that their approval of the quote also be in writing and not over the phone. This protects both of us from any misunderstanding about the cost. I let them know that I work in a smoke-free, pet-free, food-free environment and that I treat their quilt as if it were my own. I always extend my estimated completion date quote by one week, because life does happen.

I hope this helps! Feel free to PM with any questions.