My best friend just paid a deposit to get a mount three weeks ago, from one of the best fish tax's in the business. Another friend has a fish at Campbell's in Steilacoomb.
The only difference between a skin mount and a replica (when done by the really good guys) is the fins. Skin mounts are more transluscent and flexible. Cost was the same both ways, approx. $22.00 per inch, plus base costs. Generally speaking, for a one-side wall mount, I would plan on about $1000.
The fish we looked at (that were waiting to be picked-up by clients, not "show pieces") were all incredible. If they were'nt side-by-side, and you did'nt know exactly what to look for, most people couldn't tell the difference between a replica and a skin mount.
I'm glad I went with someone else, and learned what I did BEFORE I caught the "big one" and had to decide who..how.. and what kind.