A couple of other factors: Are there additional charges for thread or thread changes? Does the LQ quilter provide the batting, or do you? And if you do, please make sure it's something the quilter can work with - not all battings play nicely with longarms!

I had never used a LA until this spring. I had spent a year making a double wedding ring quilt for my daughters wedding. I took another quilter (and she is a perfectionist) and we went around asking different quilt shops for references.
Note: just because the LA owns or runs a quilt shop doesn't mean they are the best!!
Anyway - we spent a few days going around and asking questions. I decided upon the one who listened to me, made suggestions, spent time understanding what I wanted and didn't want. I looked at her work. I got over the sticker price and decided that this was an heriloom and I wanted the best.
Again - you pay for what you get. I got the best person for my needs and wants.

That was an interesting set of posts. I had NO idea LAQ had to have all of the insurance etc. I've never sent a quilt out to be LAQ'd before but BOY does the pricing make sense.

Thank you all for sharing your opinions and ideas and soapboxes... :)

I agree a lot of great info from you LArmers!! Thank-you SO much!

I help out at a friends LA shop, some people dont realize it takes hours and hours to do just one quilt, I did a queen not too long ago and because of the choosen pattern it took me 9 hours....this gal thought you just loaded it and the computer took over and then you just take off the finished quilt and that was it. She stopped in while I was doing it and was surprised at how much there was to getting one done.