A professional silver plate flute is in the $2500 ball park. The same flute in an entirely solid silver package can be nearly 3 times as much.

Unless someone has a silver plate eating problem once could just buy another professional plated instrument.

My Gemeinhardt 3SB has lasted 9 years with no plating wear whatsoever on the keys (or barrel ). To some a Gemeinhardt is a worse-case scenario so expect a professional flute to last for far longer unless of course my Gemeinhardt is a best-case scenario.

In 10 years a professional solid silver flute could requite an over haul... which could hit that lovely $1000 dollar mark if you get it professionally done.

However some specialties are reserved for premium flutes... For example C# trill mechanism, G-A trill mechanism, Miyazawa left hand pinless mechanism (202+ only), Miyazawa Brogger system, Brannen Brogger system, hand finishing, soldered tone hole, wall thickness, split-E (powell), styled/pointed keys, yadda yadda.